Gabriel's NFC North Outlook: Green Bay Packers
By Greg Gabriel--
Editor's note: This is the third in a series breaking down where the rest of the NFC North sits entering the new season. Click here to read Gabriel's breakdown on the Lions and here to see the breakdown on the Vikings.
(CBS) Like just about any year, the road to the playoffs for the Chicago Bears 2015 will go through the Green Bay Packers. In recent years, this has been a difficult task. In fact, since Jay Cutler became the Bears' quarterback in 2009, he has beaten Green Bay only one time.
As long as the Packers have the duo of coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they'll always be at or near the top of the NFC North. While the club may have some weaknesses, they are strong where they need to be strong.
Let's break them down ahead of the start of training camp.
Quarterback
At this stage of his career, Rodgers is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Other than durability, there isn't a weakness to his game. He's athletic with excellent arm strength, and his ability to read defenses is second to none. Add that to uncanny accuracy, and it would be hard to find someone better.
The small problem Green Bay has at the quarterback position is that it doesn't have much behind Rodgers. This has been proved several times in the past when Rodgers has gone down. Scott Tolzien is just a guy, and he can't be expected to win games.
Rookie Brett Hundley from UCLA is an athlete with an excellent arm. It ends there. His game actually regressed from 2013 to 2014. While he has some excellent physical traits, he lacks good instincts and isn't a good decision-maker.
Running back
The duo of Eddie Lacy and James Starks has been productive for the Packers. Lacy's an excellent between-the-tackles power runner, while Starks provides some big-play ability. Both are good receivers out of the backfield.
The Packers are one of the few teams that utilize a fullback, and John Kuhn is one of the best. As good as Kuhn is, rookie Aaron Ripkowski will challenge Kuhn for a roster spot. An Oklahoma product, Ripkowski was one of the better run blockers in college football a year ago.
Receivers
Green Bay's two starting receivers are excellent and know and understand the team's system. Jordy Nelson's a big, physical player with excellent hands and run-after-the-catch skills. Randall Cobb has the speed to get deep and, like Nelson, is excellent after the catch. Last year's second-round pick, Davante Adams, played well and had 38 receptions. He should take a jump in 2015 after being in the system a year.
The tight end position has always been a position of strength in Green Bay, but I don't see it right now. Second-year man Richard Rodgers came on the later part of 2014, but I don't see him as having anything special in his game. Andrew Quarless and Justin Perillo are just journeyman.
Offensive line
The Packers have their entire starting five back from a year ago. The tackles are Bryan Bulaga and Davis Bakhtiari. The guards are T.J. Lang and Josh Sitton, and the center is Corey Linsley. While the group isn't physically imposing and there isn't a real dominating player among them, they play well together and can all pass block. Sitton's the most consistent and productive member of the line.
Third-year man J.C Tretter from Cornell was supposed to start last year at center, but a preseason injury allowed Linsley to play, and he isn't about to give up his starting position. Tretter has position versatility and will be the first man in if any of the interior guys get injured. Don Barclay is the main tackle reserve.
Defensive line
The Packers were in danger of losing some key defensive linemen to free agency but were able to re-sign them.
Nose tackle B.J. Raji is excellent against the run but doesn't give much as a pass rusher. Letroy Guion is consistent as an end and is equally good against the run and the pass. The best player on the defensive line is the undersized Mike Daniels. Though he is only six feet tall, he plays hard and is productive, recording 12 sacks combined in the last two seasons.
Datone Jones plays mostly in pass situations and has been effective as a rusher both inside and out. Mike Pennel and Josh Boyd will battle it out for the backup nose tackle position.
Linebackers
Defensive coordinator Dom Capers uses his linebackers in a variety of ways, and he's capable of lining them up anywhere.
The leader of the group is Clay Matthews, who has spent most of his career outside but was moved inside midway through last season and played exceptionally. He brought more speed and athleticism to the position. Even when inside, he was still used as a pass rusher on passing downs.
No one quite knew how Julius Peppers would adjust to playing outside linebacker. While it took him a few games to get acclimated, he was his usual self the second half of the season. While Peppers may be on his feet for base downs, he's still playing down in pass rush situations.
The starter opposite of Matthews inside will be either Sam Barrington or Carl Bradford. Barrington started and played well at the end of last year. Rookie Jake Ryan from Michigan also has to play into the equation, as he's instinctive and productive. He could move ahead of Barrington or Bradford.
The other outside linebacker looks to be Nick Perry. The Packers didn't pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, so this is a make-or-break year for him. The key reserves who will get playing time are the versatile Mike Neal and Andy Mulumba.
If Ryan plays up to his potential, it may allow Capers to move Matthews back outside opposite of Peppers, and that will really help the Green Bay pass rush. If that is the case, Ryan would start with either Barrington or Bradford inside.
Secondary
The secondary lost some key players during the offseason, and it remains to be seen how much of an effect it will have. Gone is former starting cornerback Tramon Williams and backup Davon House.
The replacement for Williams will most likely be Casey Hayward. Opposite of Heyward will likely be a rookie. Top pick Damarious Randall played safety at Arizona State but has cornerback traits and played a lot there during OTAs. Second-round pick Quinten Rollins from Miami (Ohio) also got some reps with the first unit. Though inexperienced, Rollins as has great ball skills. Veteran Sam Shields also has to be in the equation.
On the back end, the Packers have last year's top rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at strong safety and Morgan Burnett at free safety. Green Bay would like more production from Burnett, and one of the rookies (Randall or Rollins) could challenge him, as they can also play safety.
Outlook
The Packers may have lost some key players, but they have a strong roster. Still, the key to their success will be the health of Rodgers. As long as he is the quarterback, the Packers will rule the division.
Greg Gabriel is a former NFL talent evaluator who is an on-air contributor for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @greggabe.