Packers Morning Buzz: All eyes on Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

We’ll start with Michael Cohen’s look at the safety position for our Packers position-analysis series.

From Michael:

Whether through injury, experimentation or schematic intention, the Green Bay Packers had begun to stretch that trend at the seams under former defensive coordinator Dom Capers, and 2017 was no exception. As the Packers mounted an ill-fated playoff push, their defense employed as many as four safeties on any given snap, with responsibilities ranging from deep middle of the field to inside linebacker to slot cornerback.

Once again, position coach Darren Perry was afforded a wealth of bodies during the initial selection of the 53-man roster as safeties occupied five slots. He waved goodbye to utility tool Micah Hyde during free agency, but the Packers replaced Hyde with the hyper-athletic Josh Jones in the second round of the draft. Perry lost Kentrell Brice to an ankle injury in early November but already had received Jermaine Whitehead from the practice squad two weeks prior.

Nonetheless, what felt like a burgeoning group in 2016 stubbed its collective toe from start to finish a year later. The starters, Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, were far less effective than they were in 2017. And the youngsters, namely Brice and Jones, were as unreliable as they were disappointing given their athletic gifts.

Richard Ryman chronicles the passing of a former Packer:

Elsewhere, Ian Rapoport says to keep an eye on Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb as potential cap casualties:

Colin Cowherd thinks the Super Bowl window is closed in Green Bay:

NFL Media gives out grades for the rookie class:

From their website:

In Ted Thompson's final draft as Packers GM, Green Bay singled out the secondary as its most vulnerable area and attacked the weakness with its first two selections. Unfortunately, King and Jones both underperformed in their rookie campaigns. The same cannot be said for Green Bay's late-round pickups at RB. Jones was a welcome surprise in filling in for Ty Montgomery, showcasing a needed change of pace from the hard-running Williams. They are a future pairing to fear. The Pack saw little from their other picks. GRADE: C+

Chris Wanless also has some thoughts on Thompson’s final draft class:

Packers Wire looks at four players on offense the Packers need to get healthy:

ACME Packing Company looks for pass-rush help from potential cap casualties around the league:

Greg Jennings talks about Aaron Rodgers and the Packers:

The Packers will be hosting a History Night: