Where Does Green Bay Packers Rank On ESPN’s WR, TE and RB Talent Evaluation?

Without a doubt, the Green Bay Packers are loaded when it comes to talent, particularly that of their superstar quarterback Jordan Love. However, ESPN just released a list ranking other crucial positions and where every NFL team is positioned when it comes to their wide receiver, tight end, and running back units.

The 2023-24 season marked the start of the Jordan Love era for the Packers, following the team’s decision to move on from Aaron Rodgers. After years of speculation, Green Bay was able to trade Rodgers to the New York Jets, concluding a process that had been in motion for some time.

Love stepped in as the full-time starter and exceeded expectations, posting a stat line of 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions with a 96.1 passer rating. While he struggled early on, Love was able to settle in and lead the Packers to an above-.500 record and a playoff win, revamping expectations for the team’s future.

General manager Brian Gutekunst put together an impressive 2023 draft class, highlighted by second-round pick Jayden Reed, who emerged as a versatile playmaker. Other standouts included tight end Tucker Kraft and defensive lineman Colby Wooden, helping to bolster the roster around Love.

Despite entering the season with low expectations, the Packers quickly proved they were a force to be reckoned with. With Love’s continued development and a talented young core, the future is bright once again in Green Bay as they aim to return to the playoffs and compete for a championship.

Green Bay Packers Place 17th in ESPN’s WR, TE, and RB Talent Evaluation Ranking

Thanks to Love’s leap last season, the Packers enter the upcoming campaign as playoff contenders. According to an ESPN report written by Bill Barnwell, the team’s WR, TE, and RB units may need some work to do to ensure Green Bay comes out as serious competitors in the NFL.

“The Packers, on the other hand, are the anti-Titans and anti-Cowboys. There’s no star or household name (yet) in this mix, but this is the youngest, deepest receiving corps in the league, with four different wide receivers credibly competing for the top spot in the lineup when they’re healthy. Their youth suggests those wideouts should be better in 2024 than they were in 2023.

I think Christian Watson has the most upside, but the guy who I keep coming back to when I watch the Packers this offseason is Dontayvion Wicks, who averaged 2.2 yards per route run as a rookie. Over the past decade, 21 wideouts have averaged more than 2.0 yards per route run in their debut campaign, and the vast majority have had impressive careers so far. Green Bay has three on its roster: Wicks, Watson and Jayden Reed.

Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft flashed promise in their rookie seasons, although Kraft is sidelined by a torn pectoral muscle. My concern here is at running back, where the Packers swapped Aaron Jones for the younger Josh Jacobs. We saw what Jacobs’ ceiling looked like in 2022 — he had 1,653 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns — but he was one of the league’s worst backs last season by rush yards over expectation, has six fumbles over the past two seasons and has one fully healthy year in five tries.

He should be better in Green Bay, but I’m not sure he’s the difference-maker the Packers had when Jones was at his best. AJ Dillon has also disappointingly faded into an anonymous reserve over the past two seasons. If Jacobs gets back on track and one of the wideouts makes a leap, the Packers should be in the top 10 next year,” Barnwell wrote.

While Love is projected to continue his momentum next season, the Packers’ wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends may need to gain some experience fast for the team to go far in the playoffs. Otherwise, it might be another repeat of their loss to the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year.

Even though ESPN’s ranking has placed Green Bay in the bottom half of the league, there’s still a chance for the Jordan Love-led team to surprise everyone again. If they do, the Packers will definitely exceed what they’ve done last season.

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