Bold Predictions for Packers' Individual Stat Leaders in 2022 NFL Season

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2022 season with Super Bowl aspirations and a few questions to answer.

The offense is set to look vastly different this season. The loss of Davante Adams looms large, and the Packers have a largely unproven cast of receivers that will attempt to make up the production that went with Adams to Las Vegas.

That shouldn't distract from the fact that the roster is one of the best in the league otherwise. The Packers have all the makings of a top-five defense along with talent all over the offense that should help make up for any losses in the passing game.

Just what the stats are going to look like by the end of the season is an intriguing question.

Here are some bold predictions for who will lead the way in different stat categories.

Rashan Gary Finishes in the Top 10 in Sacks

Rashan Gary can build on his breakout 2021 campaign. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sean Mannion #14 of the Minnesota Vikings is sacked by outside linebacker Rashan Gary #52 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2nd quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on January 02, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Rashan Gary enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2021. His 9.5 sacks were good for 20th in the league, and his play allowed the Packers' pass-rush to thrive despite injuries to Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith.

This season, expect the edge rusher to take the next step and be even more productive in 2022.

Although the 9.5 sacks were nearly double his previous career-high of five, it could be argued the fourth-year defender should have had more. He was first in PFF pass-rush grade among all NFC defenders. Austin Gayle of PFF noted he had a higher pass-rush win rate from outside the tackle than T.J. Watt, who ended up with 22.5 sacks.

In other words, there's plenty of meat on the bone for Gary in terms of his final stat line.

It's taken Gary a while to emerge as a top pass-rush option, but with Za'Darius Smith now playing in Minnesota, Gary will continue to be expected to be the primary sack artist.

He has all the tools to respond with at least 12 sacks if not more.

Aaron Jones Finishes with over 1,400 Total Yards

Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ASHWAUBENON, WI - AUGUST 05: Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs with the ball during Green Bay Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field, on August 5, 2022 in Green Bay, WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Aaron Jones is 27 years old, and the Packers have a potential out in his contract in 2023. There's no reason for them not to lean heavily on him this season.

Yes, AJ Dillon is going to eat into his carries, but that could actually mean a bigger overall role for Jones. Last season, he was heavily involved in the passing game with 65 targets. It was his third-consecutive season with at least 63.

With Davante Adams gone and the Packers relying on some young receivers to develop chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, it stands to reason Jones could be in line for even more receiving work.

Jones isn't just the typical receiving back who catches swing routes and checkdowns. He has some legit route-running ability and can be a target downfield.

As Field Yates of ESPN recently noted, Jones caught 36 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns in the last seven games the Packers didn't have Adams.

If we extrapolate that out to a 17-game season, Jones would have 87 catches for 942 yards and nine touchdowns.

That's a bit unrealistic, but it's not absurd to believe he'll have 1,400 yards from scrimmage for the third time in his career.

No Receiver Cracks 750 Yards

Allen Lazard highlights a largely unproven receiver room for the Packers. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Allen Lazard runs a drill at the NFL football team's practice field Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The question of who is going to take over as the No. 1 receiver in the Packers offense has been one of the most talked-about this offseason.

Davante Adams was such a dominant force that it's hard to envision what the distribution of targets is going to look like from week to week. The truth is that it's probably going to be a lot less predictable.

In any given game last season, Aaron Jones, Allen Lazard or Marquez Valdes-Scantling could be right behind Adams in targets. MVS is gone now, but that doesn't mean that Lazard is going to necessarily be a target hog in the way that Adams was.

He's the most productive returning receiver from last season, but he still had just 513 yards on 40 catches. Rodgers has formed a fast connection with rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs, but the Packers invested more draft capital in Christian Watson.

That's not even taking into account Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, the most experienced vets in the group.

The bottom line is that Rodgers is still going to be an elite quarterback, but the offense might not generate a truly elite receiver statistically.

Lazard is the best candidate to lead the team in receiving, but he still might not crack 750 yards.