We knew from the start of the season that the young players likely would have their ups and downs, and we even could project how the journeyman depth guys would perform.  What has been so disappointing and devastating is the lack of production from players who are cashing big paychecks.  

OFFENSE:

Bakhtiari:  He was expected to lockdown the left tackle spot.  He is a great pass protector and a good run blocker, with a contract is worth $23M AAV.  Instead, he played one game (against the Bears), and is out for the season.  I am not assigning blame or casting aspersions on character; the fact remains that the Packers will get almost no production from him.

Jenkins: At $16M AAV, he was expected to be an above average starting left guard.  Moreover, in conjunction with Bakhtiari, many assumed that the Packers would be able to run behind the left side of their offensive line.  For an offense looking for an identity, that seemed to be something that they would be able to do consistently well.  Alas, I cannot think of anything the offense actually does consistently well, and thus, they have no identify. 

So far, Jenkins has played in 3 of the first 5 games including one game he left after playing just 18 snaps.  Jenkins has played 131 snaps out of a possible 304.   Moreover, he hasn't been particularly good when he has played.  He sports a very mediocre grade of 61.4 PFF grade.  There are many reasons to believe Jenkins will return for the bulk of the season and play better, including getting healthier after his MCL strain. 

Aaron Jones: At $11M, Jones has played one full game and one partial game in the first five contests.  He has played 48 snaps.  He has played very well when he played.  Jones practiced Monday, so the team can hope to get production from him going forward.

Jordan Love:  At $8.85M AAV, Love has been better than expected.  He has a 64.6 PFF grade, or high average.  He has played all the snaps.  While Love is putting out tape that opposing defensive coordinators can look at and try to attack any flaws or tendencies, it is reasonable to believe that Love is learning from the reps he is getting.  I have been agnostic on Love but I have considerable belief in LaFleur and Clements as teachers and Love seems to be an apt student.  

Nijman:  At $4.304M, he arguably isn't a big money guy.  Still, his cap number is 6.2% of the offensive spending.  So far, Nijman has played 4 snaps per game, or 20 so far.  There is a chance that Nijman gets a chance to produce later this season since he is healthy.  In limited play, he has a 65 PFF grade.  I have not been as high on Nijman as many others over the years; yet, it would not surprise me if he is at this time better than Rasheed Walker, who the Packers are trying mightily to develop for the future.

On offense, only one of the five more highly-paid guys is producing as much as expected, though it might be the most important player, long-term.  At least three of the five and perhaps 4 of the 5 players will play more snaps over the course of the remaining season and/or improve.  The real problem is the offensive line.  Walker (61.3 PFF grade), Jenkins (61.4), Myers (59.1), Runyan (54.3), and Tom (75.4) have not played well enough.  Based off just the PFF grades, the team ought to be looking for upgrades at four of the five offensive line positions, including one or two with some urgency. 

DEFENSE:

Alexander:  At $21M AAV, Jaire Alexander has played 3 of 5 games and 57% of the available snaps (202 out of a possible 356 snaps).  Opposing teams have shown respect by not targeting Alexander much (just 9 targets in those 3 games), but he has allowed some big plays.  PFR lists a 146.8 passer rating allowed for Alexander.  Moreover, he has been bad in run support, both in missed tackles (15.4% per PFR) and on some angles he took.  Alexander has a 63.5 PFF grade.  Availability and his quality of play have been disappointing.  He is young and hugely talented, so one can reasonably expect him to play more and better as the season progresses.

Clark: At $17.1M, Clark continues to regress when he is on the field.  Availability has not been the issue; if anything, one can argue that Clark plays too many snaps, though with that contract, 850 snaps is reasonable.  Clark still is a plus pass rusher but now has lapses against the run.  He simply gets moved far more often than in 2018, his last elite season.  Clark projects to have career highs in QB hits and sacks, yet has a 61.3 PFF grade.

Preston Smith: At $13M AAV, Smith is a complete player who does the dirty work.  A physical player who is pretty good at holding the edge and making the tackle (no missed tackles per PFR), his pass rushing numbers are down this season.  He has just 1 sack, 4 QB hits, 4 pressures and no hurries.  Given those numbers, Smith deserves to be on this list, but he is not the problem.  He had a 68.8 grade prior to the Raiders games, but dropped to a 62.7 PFF grade, after getting a 43 grade for the Raiders game.  PFF dinged him hard for giving up completions to slot receivers, including Davante Adams, the wide receiver most likely to break a cornerback's ankles.  I am using PFF grades in this article but they aren't gospel.  

Rashan Gary: At $10.89M, availability is the biggest issue, and one that can reasonably be expected to disappear as he returns to health.  So far, Gary has played 107 snaps of a possible 356 while the coaches keep him on a pitch count.  Playing mostly on obvious passing downs, his statistics are excellent with 4.5 sacks, 7 QB hits, 12 pressures and 4 tackles for loss.  That said, his missed tackle percentage is up (10%) and he has lost contain a few times this season.  He is on the list not due to fault but simply because his injury has limited his availability.  Gary has an 84.4 PFF grade.

Devondre Campbell:  At $10M AAV, availability is the big issue.  Campbell played the first two games and 11 snaps of the third game, and has been out since.  He has played 234 snaps.  I like Campbell a lot and think the defense is so much better when he is on the field and healthy.  Campbell has a 73.9 PFF grade.  Campbell has not practiced yet this week and there has been little indication of when he might return.

Darnell Savage:  At $7.9M AAV, Savage has held up better than expected.  He has a 59.9 PFF grade, which isn't great, especially for almost $8M, but it is light years ahead of Savage's 47 grade for 2022.  It helps that his running mate, Rudy Ford, has played much better than expected, posting a 73.7 PFF grade so far.  That's much better than Amos' 53 last year, so the safety group has been acceptable instead of the abyss I feared.  Amos, by the way, was thought to have lost a step, but has started 3 games for the Jets and played well, posting a 69.5 grade so far.  Either Amos doesn't need that step in New York or he found a way to regain it.

Rasul Douglas:  At $7M AAV, he has been a godsend.  His coverage and run support are both good.  He is smart (remember him not getting fooled by the flea flickers) and physical.  He has an 83.7 PFF grade (high quality) and has played all 356 snaps so far this season. 

Of these seven players, only Douglas has been available and playing at a high level.  Gary and Alexander should regain their full health and then play better since they have lots of talent.  Ditto for Campbell, who is not on the injured reserve, indicating that the Packers expect him to return sooner rather than later.  Smith might put up better pass rushing numbers with the return of Gary.  I would settle for Savage continuing to play at his present level while hoping for better.  I have been writing that the defensive line needs Clark to play at an elite level for so long that I no longer expect it.  

Photo courtesy of Jamie Sabau of USA Today Sports