Green Bay Packers: 3 Ways the Packers Can Still Improve This Preseason

The Green Bay Packers are gearing up to defend their Super Bowl championship.

Defending a title is the hardest thing to do in team sports.

The Packers will go into every game with a target on their back. Therefore, it's vital they make improvements this offseason.

It's hard to improve a Super Bowl-winning roster, but there are some subtle things the Packers can do to help them make it back to the playoffs.

Let's take a look at three things the Packers can do this preseason to improve their team.

3. Figure out an Outside Linebacker Rotation

Clay Matthews will be starting at one outside linebacker position, but who will start opposite him?

Will it be Frank Zombo, Erik Walden or Brad Jones?

All three of them saw playing time there last year. And all three of them will probably see time there this year.

The Packers just need to figure out how they will rotate.

Walden and Zombo are better against the run, while Jones plays the pass better.

Putting in Jones on obvious passing downs makes sense. Now, they just need to figure out how to split time between Zombo and Walden.

(For the record, Walden is currently No. 1 at the position on the Packers' first depth chart. Don't read too much into that though.)

2. Replacing Cullen Jenkins

Second-year DE Mike Neal will be the heir apparent to Cullen Jenkins, who left for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.

But he battled injuries throughout his rookie campaign, appearing in only two games.

He only amassed three tackles, but still managed to record a sack and force a fumble.

He should make strides this season—if he can stay healthy, that is.

1. Working Ryan Grant Back into the Running Game

Ryan Grant went down with a season-ending injury in Week 1 last season. That left the running game in the hands of Brandon Jackson and rookie James Starks.

Predictably, the running game struggled.

But this year, Grant is healthy and ready to pick up where he left off. Now, the Packers just need to figure out how to use him and Starks.

Jackson left for the Cleveland Browns, so the team needs a new threat in the screen pass game.

Hopefully, Starks can step up and fill that need.