When most fans mention any of the Green Bay Packers legends, names such as Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Bart Starr, Vince Lombardi, and Reggie White are usually the first ones that come to mind, rather than the underrated Green Bay Packers we are going to discuss. These household names belong to players who have their jerseys hanging in Canton with other Hall of Fame legends. But for these players to be great, they needed others to show up, do their job, and be willing to take a backseat.
As the league’s third-oldest franchise, the Packers and their century-plus years of football have their fair share of players who have gotten lost in the shuffle, ones who failed to make the nightly highlight reels or have their number retired. Yet despite missing out on the individual accolades, these individuals were key to bringing Wisconsin multiple Super Bowls and countless winning seasons. While Packers fans today might rely onsports betting apps to follow the latest odds on their favorite team and star players, they often overlook the contributions of these unsung heroes who helped to shape the franchise during their respective eras. Ironically, this article on five of the franchise’s most underrated Green Bay Packers leaves many more on the outside looking in.
Underrated Green Bay Packers
Ryan Pickett (2006-2013)
Most nose tackles in league history go unnoticed and underappreciated. But their dirty work in the trenches makes it possible for others to shine. Originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the 29th pick in 2001, Pickett joined the Packers as a free agent in 2006. An anchor on defense for eight years, Pickett put his hard hat on and went to work in the middle while opposing teams were focused on players such as Clay Matthews andCharles Woodson.
A key member of Dom Capers’ defense and the 2010 Super Bowl championship team, the 6’2”, 340lb mountain took up space and commanded double teams, allowing his teammates to make the highlight reel plays. A player that teammates and coaches loved, Pickett’s value to the team far outweighed any stat line or box score.
Ryan Pickett is one of the underrated Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers Ryan Pickett (79) celebrates stuffing Seattle Seahawk Shaun Alexander in the second half setting up a 3rd-and-19 during the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks NFL Playoff game Saturday, January 12, 208 at Lambeau Field.
30 Pack13 Alexander Stuffed Wood
Frank Winters (1992-2002)
Ok, yes, Frank Winters made a Pro Bowl and was honored in the Packers Hall of Fame, but his contribution to the team’s success should have been recognized outside of Wisconsin. As the man in charge of getting Brett Favre the ball and then protecting the star quarterback, Winters pulled double duty. Starting 165 straight games, Winters was a key cog on the offensive line that captured three straight NFC titles and Super Bowl XXXI.
For a position that receives more lowlights than highlights, Winters rarely made a mistake on the field. Teaming with Favre wasn’t always easy, as he was known for changing plays on the fly, leaving Winters in charge or communicating those changes to the rest of the offensive line.
Doug Evans (1993-1997)
First off, being selected 141st overall in the NFL Draft, making the cut and remaining an integral part of a team for the majority of one’s career certainly defines underrated and an underdog. Starting 62 of 79 games at cornerback (he didn’t start his rookie season), Doug Evans was overshadowed by bigger names on the Packers defensive unit like Reggie White, LeRoy Butler and Eugene Robinson. That didn’t stop Evans from succeeding.
Recording 16 interceptions in his five seasons with the Packers, Evans tallied a career high 6 interceptions during the 1996 championship season. While the Green Bay offence got most of the credit, Evans contributions on defence helped propel the team to their third Super Bowl banner.
Travis Williams (1967-1971)
Justifiably nicknamed “The Roadrunner”, Travis Williams double dipped as a running back and kick returner for the Packers for four of his five NFL seasons before a knee injury cut his career short. During his 1967rookie season, Williams returned four kickoffs for touchdowns, a record that remains untouched today (Chicago Bears’ Cecil Turner has four as well, but not during his rookie season).
Williams finished his first season averaging 41.1 yards per kickoff return, a number that puts today’s kick returns to shame. A legitimate game changer, Williams helped the Packers win their second of back-to-back Super Bowls in 1968.
Sam Shields (2010-2016)
From an undrafted rookie to a Super Bowl champion, Sam Shields did not get as much recognition as he deserved, and certainly must be on our list of underrated Green Bay Packers players. After playing most of his prep and college career as a wide receiver, Shields transitioned to cornerback in his final year with the Miami Hurricanes. Although he didn’t become a full-time starter until midway through his career, Shields still made an impact on the field.
With the speed, skills and mindset of a receiver, Shields used those traits to his advantage on the defensive end, recording 18 regular season interceptions during his seven years with the Packers, plus a pair of picks during their 2010 Super Bowl run.