Green Bay Packers

Evan Williams Looks Like Gutekunst's Next Fourth-Round Star

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

After a messy start to 2024, the Packers have settled in.

Jordan Love is back, healthy, and looking more like a Favre-Rodgers lovechild than ever. He has led the offense to three consecutive wins, dominating two NFC West teams and getting a statement win against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, arguably Green Bay’s AFC counterpart. Love has gotten help from some familiar places, like speedster Jayden Reed and elite protectors Zach Tom and Elgton Jenkins. However, the early story of the season is the help they’re getting from unexpected ones.

First, defensive coordinator. It’s a bit early to crown Jeff Hafley, but the early returns are promising. His unit has looked far more physical, energetic, and, most importantly, schematically creative than Joe Barry’s and Mike Pettine’s before him. The frequency and creativity with which Hafley blitzes provides a welcome contrast to Barry’s stagnant calls last year. The Packers have this luxury because they’ve completely overhauled the safety room.

Gone is the revolving door of Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens, and Darnell Savage Jr, the latter of whom they’ll face on Sunday. They have replaced them with top free agent Xavier McKinney, an early DPOY candidate, second-round rookie Javon Bullard, and fourth-round rookie Evan Williams. McKinney and Bullard were expected to form a formidable duo. Williams has come out of nowhere to elevate the room to unbelievable heights.

When Jaire Alexander sat out the Week 5 contest in Los Angeles, Keisean Nixon replaced him on the outside, Bullard bumped down to the slot, and Williams took over next to McKinney. He immediately carved himself a permanent role in the defense with downhill physicality, versatility in coverage, and wicked decisiveness.

When Brian Gutekunst spent a first-round pick on Savage, the expectation was that his explosive athletic profile would be the foundation for his eventual superstardom. It simply never translated to sustained on-field productivity. The opposite appears true for Williams, who looks instantly comfortable with the speed of the pro game and has already demonstrated his ability to cover anyone from speedster Tutu Atwell to big tight end Colby Parkinson, on whom he made a game-winning pass breakup.

As he’s continued to stack up strong performances, the rookie has rocketed to sixth in Defensive Rookie of the Year rankings, thoroughly clearing higher-profile prospects like Dallas Turner, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Cooper DeJean, to name a few. Williams is PFF’s top-grade rookie overall, with a grade of 89.4, and his and McKinney’s duo allowed a passer rating of 16.7 when targeted.

Uncertainty lingers about the role and development of first-round pick Jordan Morgan. Still, Gutekunst appears to have had yet another productive draft. Edgerrin Cooper has been another standout, spelling a relatively underwhelming pass rush with explosive blitzes and open-field tackles. The early returns suggest that Williams may be the crown jewel, in which case he joins Tom and Romeo Doubs as fourth-rounders that Gutey has flipped into key contributors.

Heading into Jacksonville, the Packers will have a significant body clock advantage despite being on the road. The Jaguars have spent back-to-back weeks in London, fully adjusting to the European time zone. It worked to their advantage when the New England Patriots flew in for the second week, but now they pay the price as they return to the States without a bye week. It’s an excellent opportunity for Matt LaFleur’s team to keep their momentum rolling in an NFC North that leaves no room for error.

The Jags don’t have a ton on their side. Their offensive line is atrocious, and their secondary is highly exploitable. However, they have receiving talent. There’s Christian Kirk and Evan Engram on the inside and game-breaking rookie Brian Thomas Jr., who can get you anywhere from the line of scrimmage to 60 yards down the field. The Williams-McKinney duo will play a crucial role in taming Thomas and keeping the defense on track. It’s early to declare Williams a star, but everything he’s put on tape suggests he could be the next slam dunk to grace this young team.

Green Bay Packers
The Preston Smith Trade Will Throw Lukas Van Ness Into the Spotlight
By Brandon Virk - Nov 9, 2024
Green Bay Packers
Is It Time To Scale Back Dontayvion Wicks’ Role?
By Dan Saia - Nov 8, 2024
Green Bay Packers

What's the Next Step For Green Bay's Kicking Game?

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers are on bye this week, so let’s take a temperature check on how the team’s performed. In terms of DVOA, the Packers are […]

Continue Reading