Source: Packers_Fanly via Twitter
The Green Bay Packers' 2017 season turned on the fortune of one play. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked to throw on the run against the Minnesota Vikings but was taken to the ground by linebacker Anthony Barr.
The two-time MVP was on course for another outstanding campaign to lead the Packers on a surge into the playoffs. However, he suffered a fractured collarbone and will likely miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair the ailment.
Backup Brett Hundley has been pressed into action over the last three matches. The 24-year-old has been unable to hit the ground running, resulting in three-straight defeats for Green Bay.
Mike McCarthy's men have fallen from 4-1 to 5-4 in their campaign, and are staring down the possibility of missing the post-season for the first time since 2008. This is highlighted in the club's NFL odds to win the NFC North at +800, making a surge for the playoffs unlikely unless Hundley improves significantly.
Green Bay's flaws have been exposed without the presence of Rodgers. The 33-year-old carried the team to the NFC Championship game last season on the back of a number of sensational performances, including a brilliant effort in the Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys.
Without his presence, the Packers don't even look half the team. They were defeated by the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field, while the Detroit Lions also eased to a comfortable victory on the road. Lambeau has been a fortress for McCarthy's men and defeats will not sit well with the Packers' faithful.
On the other hand, their defeats will push them towards the top end for selection in the 2018 Draft. The Packers usually select in the late 20s, limiting the talent available to them in the drafting process. However, this time could be different if the Packers continue to struggle.
Clay Matthews has been a standout since being drafted in 2009 but age is becoming a factor for the linebacker, who will be 32 at the start of next season. Therefore, the Packers could use a potential top-10 pick on an edge-rusher.
Source: SECCountryLSU via Twitter
There's no player of Myles Garrett's quality available in the selection process in 2018. Arden Key could be the best pass-rusher available for his form at the LSU Tigers this season. He has notched four sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss in 2017, boosting his fine form from the last campaign.
The 21-year-old fits into the Packers' defensive scheme as a 3-4 outside linebacker and would not be expected to play immediately due to the presence of Matthews and Nick Perry.
It all depends on where Green Bay end up in the draft order as his talent is very intriguing. Dorance Armstrong Jr has not been dominant getting to the quarterback this term, with just one sack for Kansas this term, but he does have eight tackles for a loss.
He fits the scheme of Dom Capers and, before he drew the attention of opposing offenses, the linebacker did put up huge statistics with 10 sacks in his sophomore year.
North Carolina State's Bradley Chubb is a defensive end rather than a linebacker, which would not be a fit for the scheme. However, his talent is arguably stronger than that of Keys and Armstrong Jr, notching 17.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks this term.
He has put forward a lot of good tape for NFL teams to consider and his performances might be enough to sway the Packers to take a player that is not a natural fit.
Although the 2017 campaign could be a disappointing one for McCarthy's men, it could be the start of a new dawn for the club on defense.
