Once Aaron Rodgers made his intentions clear he was moving on from the Green Bay Packers, the team knew they had to remake the franchise. The Packers have been quiet in free agency, using the draft as a springboard for their roster. The Packers added to the pass rush with their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Packers then went on a pass-catching spree Friday evening.
The Green Bay Packers add young pass catchers
The Packers chose Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft at tight end and Jayden Reed at wide receiver. Those players will add depth to the Packers’ offensive roster this season. The Packers have not retained either starting tight end from last season. Musgrave and Kraft will likely be competing for a starting spot this fall. Reed could take Samori Toure’s place on the current starting roster.
The Packers’ offense will look youthful in 2023. As Matt Schneidman with The Athletic pointed out, seven of the Packers’ eight primary skilled offensive players are 24 years of age or under.
Ages of Packers primary offensive skill players:
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 29, 2023
Jordan Love: 24
Aaron Jones: 28
AJ Dillon: 24
Christian Watson: 23
Romeo Doubs: 23
Jayden Reed: 23
Luke Musgrave: 22
Tucker Kraft: 22
General manager Brian Gutekunst was asked about age in his press conference following day two of the draft. Gutekunst said the Packers wanted to give Love and the offense some stability as the team transitions from the Rodgers era.
“That’s a little bit of the idea. I think it’s important for those guys to grow together.”
Brian Gutekunst on having a young offensive core that could be together for a while:
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 29, 2023
"That's a little bit of the idea. I think it's important for those guys to grow together." https://t.co/cS2VLeopmf
They’ll have a chance to work together in OTAs next month. That should help the Green Bay Packers offense to be a little more cohesive this fall than the group that was together last September. Rodgers missing voluntary workouts last offseason didn’t help Christian Watson or Romeo Doubs learn the offense. Musgrave, Kraft, and Reed could be in a better position to grow in the new offense–if Love is ready to take the next step as a starter.
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