Green Bay Packers: 10 Players Who Will Thrive in 2012

The Green Bay Packers will no doubt be one of the Super Bowl contenders in 2012—entering the National Football League once again as the championship favorite.

Last year's shock loss at home to the New York Giants in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs is a memory that all Packers coaches, fans and players will want to quickly forget.

The playing core will know that one poor game cost them their championship chances, and will be out to prove both to themselves and the league that they are once again the team to beat.

Some players will be sure to shine more than others—here's ten Green Bay Packers players that are set to thrive this year.

1. Aaron Rodgers

Position: Quarterback

2011-12 stats: 4,643 yards at 68.3 percent; 45 touchdowns; 6 interceptions; total quarterback rating of 122.5

Why he'll thrive: Rodgers won the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award last year, which considering his stat line above, is understandable. It would take a brave man to suggest that the Packers quarterback would not have a similar year again.

Offensive coordinator Joe Phiblin has moved on to the Miami Dolphins, but with the essentially the same receiving core and offensive line in tact, Rodgers will no doubt excel again in 2012. Whether or not he will top his incredible efforts from last year? That still remains to be seen.

2. Clay Matthews

Position: Linebacker

2011-12 stats: 50 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 pass deflections, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 1 touchdown

Why he'll thrive: When Green Bay won the Super Bowl two years ago, one of the main reasons was their dominant pass rush led by Matthews. That same rush struggled to come together in 2012—with the Packers ranking third last in both run pressure and pass rush in 2011, according to Pro Football Focus.

With some help sure to arrive in the draft, Matthews looks set to shine again this year, and looks set to improve on his numbers from last year.

3. Randall Cobb

Position: Wide-receiver

2011-12 stats: 25 receptions, 1 receiving touchdown, 1 kick return touchdown, 1 punt return touchdown

Why he'll thrive: With the depth in the receiving core of the Green Bay Packers, it's not that hard to suggest that Cobb will have a tough time breaking in to the starting line of receivers, though he may well replace the aging Donald Driver.

Yet Cobb will thrive in 2012 because of two main things—maturity and special teams. Remembering that the young wide receiver was only a rookie last year, Cobb managed to rank 12th overall in returning throughout the year—ranking just below the likes of Devin Hester and Percy Harvin.

With another year in the NFL under his belt, Cobb will no doubt thrive in 2012. His skills and awareness that he brings to special teams will continue to hold him in great stead throughout the year, as will his continued development in the best receiving core in the league.

4. Jeff Saturday

Position: Center

2011-12 stats: Ranked 5th in league for overall rating according to Pro Football Focus

Why he'll thrive: Brought in to the side to replace Scott Wells, Saturday's experience will be of great assistance to a Green Bay offensive line that allowed over 40 sacks last year. He will benefit from being a part of a strong offense led by a dynamic quarterback—similar to years gone by with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

Green Bay favors the passing game over the running game, which will clearly suit the center who only allowed nine quarterback pressures throughout the year. Experienced, strong and reliable, Saturday is not only a great fit for the Packers, but also a player that will surely shine in 2012.

5. Jordy Nelson

Position: Wide receiver

2011-12 stats: 68 receptions, 1263 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns.

Why he'll thrive: Nelson is in fact ranked the No. 2 receiver for the Packers, with Greg Jennings taking the No. 1 spot. Despite this, Nelson chalked up more catches for more yards with more touchdowns in 2011-12—largely thanks to the pressure that Jennings draws away from other receivers.

Nelson's combination with Aaron Rodgers looks set to flourish again in 2012, with the wide receiver sure to reap the benefits of the West Coast offense. And whilst Jordy will no doubt attract more attention in coverage than he did last year, his safe hands on quick routes will make sure that he will no doubt thrive in 2012.

Nelson ranked fourth in the league behind three incredible wide receivers in Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Wes Welker in 2012—he looks set to dominate again in 2012.

6. Desmond Bishop

Position: Linebacker

2011-12 stats: 90 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 2 forced fumbles

Why he'll thrive: Similarly to Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop did suffer to an extent in 2012 from the lack of effective pass rush of the Packers. He too will no doubt benefit from draft help, and with a tougher schedule on the cards this year, Bishop will need to step up for Green Bay.

As a whole, the Packers will play more teams that favor the run in 2012, which will surely allow Bishop to thrive—ranking twice as high against the run as he did against the pass last year.

Last year was without a doubt the linebacker's strongest year in the NFL, and that was in tandem with a relatively weak pass rush. If Green Bay can increase their defensive pressure, players like Bishop will no doubt thrive in 2012.

7. Greg Jennings

Position: Wide receiver

2011-12 stats: 67 receptions, 949 yards, 9 touchdowns

Why he'll thrive: As the Packers No. 1 wide receiver, Greg Jennings is always a favorite target for Aaron Rodgers, and his safe hands and strong route running make him always a safe and useful option. However, as mentioned before, Jennings does receive so much extra pressure that he is hardly ever in a genuine one-on-one situation.

Despite Nelson reeling in more yards, receptions and touchdowns, Jennings was still targeted on more occasions in 2012. As Nelson's success continues to grow—ranked fourth in NFL for wide receivers—more and more defensive pressure will no doubt be sent his way, opening the field up for the veteran wide receiver once more.

And with Aaron Rodgers power and accuracy, that could very well be all Jennings needs to have another 1000-yard year for the Green Bay Packers.

8. T.J. Lang

Position: Left guard

2011-12 stats: Ranked 21st for guards according to Pro Football Focus

Why he'll thrive: With an overall rating of 3.2, you'd not be far off base to suggest that Lang didn't make an extreme impact for the Green Bay Packers last season. To some extent, you'd be right.

Yet with the Packers set to play tougher defensive units this year, Lang may well have a chance to prove again just how solid he can be up front—especially against strong pass rush teams such as the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans. Because of these strong pass rushes, the Packers may be inclined to throw even more than usual—especially on their short slants.

Lang racked up an average of negative 5.2 in run blocking and was also not helped by a negative 2.6 with penalties recorded against him. However, for pass blocking, he chalked up an average of 10.5 that saw him ranked top ten in the league. Quicker passes at a higher frequency may well just show how effective Lang can truly be.

It's not as much that he will thrive in 2012; rather that his necessity and dependence will be noticed more. As a result, Lang will look strong once again.

9. Bryan Bulaga

Position: Right tackle

2011-12 stats: 14.6 overall ranking according to Pro Football Focus—third in league

Why he'll thrive: If he continues to stay healthy, Bulaga will once again exert his dominance and show why he's ranked so highly in the NFL for tackles. After niggling knee and ankle injuries getting the better of him at times last season, Bulaga will benefit from more snaps with the offense.

Bulaga's numbers from last year are impressive, and there's no reason to suggest why he won't be able to repeat them again in 2012. Strong in his pass blocking and one of the few Packers players strong in his run blocking, Bulaga will once again thrive in tandem with a dominant offense and an improved offensive line.

10. Graham Harrell

Position: Quarterback

2011-12 stats: No stats available

Why he'll thrive: Now that Matt Flynn is no longer with the Packers, Harrell assumes the responsibility of backup quarterback to MVP Aaron Rodgers. Harrell received no minutes last year, but this will surely change this year—even if the Packers pick up a quarterback in the draft.

Harrell was a two-time All-State and three-time All-District player and, as a starter, chalked up a 41-3 record. As a senior, he finished with more than 5,000 yards for the season and completed his passes at higher than 70 percent.

Add that to his 45 touchdowns and nine interceptions for the year, and Graham Harrell does boast statistics eerily similar to that of the Packers lead man under center.

Harrell will benefit from the strongest receiving core in the league, and whenever the time does come that he takes the field, his ability to stay well poised and hit those short routes will allow him to shine for the Cheeseheads.

He's not Matt Flynn, and he's not Aaron Rodgers, but he certainly isn't an easy beat, and if recent quarterback development in Green Bay is anything to go off, Graham Harrell will no doubt thrive for the Packers in 2012.

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