The Green Bay Packers defeated the Houston Texans, 28-26, in their first preseason game of 2019. The game created more urgency in relationship to some of the questions the Packers face.
Here are three burning questions for the Green Bay Packers after their first preseason game.
Has DeShone Kizer Taken the Next Step?
DeShone Kizer entered the NFL in 2017 as a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns. He was seen as a raw quarterback prospect who wasn't ready to play, but could become a star with proper coaching.
His time in Cleveland didn't last long; that makes sense. When Kizer was drafted there, the Browns were still a hot mess. Someone who should have sat and learned instead appeared in 15 games in his rookie year.
The numbers were far from good (11 touchdowns, 22 interceptions), and soon he was out. Cleveland traded Kizer to the Packers after one year.
Now he's sitting behind Aaron Rodgers. In his first year with the team, Kizer appeared in three games, all in mop-up duty.
That will likely be the case again in 2019. Unless there's an injury, Kizer will be the backup to Rodgers.
However, this could be exactly what he needed. Kizer came into the NFL as an obvious project. There aren't many better quarterbacks for him to learn under than Rodgers.
In his first preseason game, Kizer looked great. It's still just a preseason game, but it's also the only time we'll probably get to see him play much.
With that in mind, has Kizer turned the corner? Has he taken that next step toward becoming a great NFL quarterback? Rodgers has had injury problems the last few years. If that happens in 2019, the Packers will need Kizer to flip that switch.
Who Will Emerge At Wide Receiver?
The Green Bay Packers have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers. They also have one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, Davante Adams.
However, after that, the passing attack isn't anything to write home about. Jimmy Graham is a very solid tight end, but the Packers don't have many options at receiver.
Geronimo Allison has some potential and could be a fun slot receiver.
Meanwhile, Marquez Valdes-Scantling has seemed to emerge as the number two receiver. He had a very strong rookie year in 2018 but still isn't someone opposing defenses will game plan around. After him there's a major question mark.
No one showed out in the first preseason game. Only two players had multiple receptions (Jake Kumerow and J'Mon Moore both had two). No one even reached 30 receiving yards.
You could argue that the Packers didn't throw the ball all that much, which is definitely true (21 pass attempts). You could also argue that they clearly were spreading the wealth (only Moore had four targets).
However, that doesn't change the fact that the Packers need someone to step up and give them another receiving option. Who will it be? Preseason Week 1 didn't answer that question; it simply made it burn even brighter.
Can the Secondary Create Stars?
The secondary of the Green Bay Packers faces a lot of questions. Yes, Adrian Amos is already a star, but the cornerbacks definitely aren't at that level.
Sure, they have potential with Kevin King and Jaire Alexander. Potential doesn't always mean performance, though.
With that in mind, Week 1 of the preseason was marked by some big plays. Chandon Sullivan and Ka'dar Hollman both had interceptions and a number of cornerbacks made big plays.
Sure, you could argue they weren't the headline names and that they did so against a backup quarterback in Joe Webb, but you have to start somewhere, right?
The Green Bay Packers have some new veterans in the secondary and some great talent on the defensive line and in their linebacker group.
Can all the new faces help the young players figure it out? Can defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and new defensive back coach Jason Simmons mold them into better players? Will this secondary find the young stars it desperately needs?
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