Packers Morning Buzz: Green Bay tops potential 'worst-to-first' list

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with Conor Orr of The MMQB predicting which teams that failed to make the playoffs last season have the best shot of reaching the Super Bowl. Orr points to the Rams, Eagles and Falcons as recent examples of teams that mastered the quick turnaround, and projects the Packers as the most likely to turn the"worst-to-first" trick in 2019.

Orr writes:

Aaron Rodgers in a new offense, supplemented by a younger, faster core of defensive players. This roster isn’t perfect by any stretch, but we’ve seen the short-window value that a veteran quarterback with this much talent sometimes gets from an infusion of new ideas. 

Pittsburgh, another perennial playoff team that fell short in 2018, ranks second on the list. You can check out the entire story here:

Pete Dougherty gives his take on Mike McCarthy's remarks during an ESPN interview:

Makes sense if Packers decide not to bring back Muhammad Wilkerson:

Jordy Nelson appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" and said he would be open to postponing retirement if Aaron Rodgers asked him to return to the Packers at some point during the offseason. More likely, he retires as a Packer:

Rodgers led the way in the NFC North in terms of pocket passing in 2018:

Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga looks ready for Monday's start of the offseason program:

Another day, another mock draft: This one, from The MMQB's Robert Klemko, has the Packers plucking a tight end and a safety in the first round.

12. Green Bay: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa 
With Jimmy Graham (32 years old) entering the home stretch of his career, adding a player like Fant to an already explosive offense could be the move that puts the Packers over the hump and back in the Super Bowl conversation. 

30. Green Bay (from New Orleans): Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State 
Another need satisfied. Abram projects best as an in the box safety who would add a level of toughness the Packers defense has been missing.

You can size up the entire mock draft here:

Bucky Brooks and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com project the Packers' first-round picks:

And finally: Prayers and best wishes being offered for the wife of Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford:

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt