The Green Bay Packers roster has several key strengths in spite of being one of the youngest teams in the NFL.
The first year of the Jordan Love era didn’t begin in the best manner. The Green Bay Packers started the 2023 season with a 3-6 record, and question marks on the roster. However, the team rebounded to not only make the playoffs, but to also win a post-season game. Now, with loftily goals in mind, the question begs if can Green Bay live up to those expectations. Here are just a few of the key strengths for the Packers in 2024.
Pass-Catching Depth
About a decade ago, maximizing a quarterback’s rookie contract was the top priority. Now, the Packers are going with a different approach.
In today’s NFL, where wide receiver salaries are drastically increasing, rookie contracts are becoming even more valuable. Green Bay has created pass-catching depth by selecting receivers early, and often, in the draft.
Christian Watson and Jayden Reed are both second round picks, and both have delivered. The Packers also added later round wide receivers such as Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, and free agents like Malik Heath and Bo Melton.
Currently, the entire Green Bay wide receiver corps is composed of players on rookie contracts. Yet, while the Packers are one of the younger teams in the league, Green Bay found success last year and made the playoffs – even achieving a post-season victory.
Without a true target alpha on the team, Reed and Watson can both dominate matchups. Doubs is considered the veteran presence, and his precise route running has allowed him to contribute since his first professional game. Also, whenever an injury has occurred, the young backups are ready to step up.
Both Melton and Wicks had productive outings last year when called upon. It is the mark of positional depth when talented and productive players are coming off the bench. Trying to get Melton and Wicks more playing time is the type of “problem” great teams have.
The rookie contract philosophy extends beyond the wide receivers. During the 2023 NFL Draft, Green Bay selected two tight ends. Both Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft were athletic prospects. However, history shows that a rookie tight end will likely not demonstrate immediate production. That is why even the moderate showings for both rookies last year is a good sign.
If either Musgrave or Kraft can take the next step in 2024, this young pass-catching corps is complete and ready to compete for the ultimate prize.
Safe Secondary
With regards to the Green Bay defensive backfield, the biggest change might come from the coaching staff itself. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley brings a new scheme to the unit, but also has experience directly coaching an NFL secondary. In fact, Hafley is one of three coaches on the Packers staff who has been as a defensive backs coach. This demonstrates that Green Bay is placing an emphasis on the defensive secondary in planning the scheme.
This organizational shift also permeates the front office and player personal decisions. In free agency, the Packers spent big to bring in safety Xavier McKinney. He was arguably the best available free agent, and fit a clear team need in Green Bay. The Packers also prioritized the position during the 2024 NFL draft with four selections used on the secondary. That includes Javon Bullard in the second round.
Along with McKinney, the rookie Bullard should help secure the inside of the defensive backfield. Of course there is All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander manning the outside at an elite level. Furthermore, Keisean Nixon earned First-Team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023 as a kick returner. However, last season, due to injuries, he stated playing as a slot corner.
Nixon excelled in that role to the point where Green Bay gave him a contract extension, and the chance to start the season as the primary nickel back. Suddenly, this secondary has quickly become a strength of the Packers.
Franchise Players Locked Up
Arguably, the two most important aspects in football are quarterback play on offense and rushing the passer on defense. When you have players that can impact either of those aspects, you have to lock them up long-term. Well, just this past week, the Packers did just that.
First, the team signed defensive tackle Kenny Clark to a three-year, $64 million dollar contract extension. For years now, Clark has been Green Bay’s best defensive lineman, dominating on the pass-rush and in the run game. Because of his impact, it can be argued that Clark is the most important Packers player.
That being said, most would still argue that quarterbacks rule all. Even with the joy of Clark’s extension news, there was still the shroud of the signal-caller’s long-term status. Well, that shroud has been lifted.
Only a few days after the Clark announcement, Jordan Love signed a four-year, $220 million dollar contract extension. Yes, Love has only started one full season in the NFL, but he proved quite a lot in only one year, especially over the back-half. Love’s play took a massive step up starting in November. He led Green Bay to a 6-2 finish in the regular season, and even won a playoff game.
In 2024, expect the Packers to play with a lot more confidence to start the season. The Packers roster proved what they were capable of last year, and now expectations for Green Bay are on the rise. Both Clark and Love are locked-in long-term to help lead Green Bay into another season of NFL football.
