Packers Have One of NFL’s Worst Skill-Position Groups*

Without a top quarterback, veteran tight end or established receiver, the Packers have a lot to prove in 2023.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
May 28, 2023 10:16 AM EDT

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers will open the 2023 NFL season with one of the worst skill-position groups in the NFL.

With an obvious asterisk.

The findings are based on Pro Football Focus’ rollout of the top players at each position.

At quarterback, Jordan Love is No. 26. No receiver made PFF’s Top 32, and no tight end made its Top 15. Led by Aaron Jones at No. 7, the Packers were one of a few teams with two running backs in PFF’s Top 32.

Given how the number of high-quality receivers far exceeds the other positions, Packer Central took PFF’s rankings and made one combined ranking of skill-position players using the Top 32 receivers and the Top 15 at quarterback, running back and tight end.

Four teams had zero on that combined list: the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, who released receiver DeAndre Hopkins this week.

The Packers were one of five teams with one. Green Bay is joined by the Washington Commanders (receiver Terry McLauren is eighth), Detroit Lions (receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is 15th), Chicago Bears (receiver D.J. Moore is 16th) and Atlanta Falcons (tight end Kyle Pitts is seventh).

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Aneles Chargers and New Orleans Saints lead the way with five. The Minnesota Vikings pace the NFC North with four. The Kansas City Chiefs have only two, though they are No. 1 quarterback Patrick Mahomes and No. 1 tight end Travis Kelce.

Of course, for the Packers, this all comes with the asterisk of youth.

Is Love the 26th-best quarterback? Maybe, or maybe he’ll end the season in the Top 10.

Is Christian Watson one of the Top 32 receivers? Based on how he finished his rookie season, an argument could be made that he’s better than at least some of the receivers ranked from No. 26 through No. 32: Dallas’ Brandin Cooks, New Orleans’ Michael Thomas and Chris Olave, the Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, the Chargers’ Mike Williams and the Colts’ Michael Pittman. Now, he’s got to prove he’s a consistent force.

At tight end, rookies Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft are giant, potential-packed question marks.

The strength of the team is the backfield tandem of the explosive Jones and the powerful AJ Dillon. As the offense’s proven playmakers, they’ll be asked to step up their game in performance and leadership.

“I think they’ve already started that, just from the standpoint of taking up some of the leadership that’s required of a quarterback,” running backs coach Ben Sirmans said recently. “They’re a lot more boisterous in terms of making sure we’re executing things right, keeping guys motivated, even just through the way they go about their own business.

“I think that’s probably the biggest thing is making sure they’re on point with their own jobs and being leaders from that standpoint so that he doesn’t have to worry about taking on the brunt of those things, which as we know that’s a big responsibility for a quarterback, especially a starting one.”

Jones and Dillon figure to be the focal point of the offense until Love and all his young perimeter weapons – a group that includes the rookie tight ends and rookie receiver Jayden Reed – are ready to rock and prove they deserve to be ranked among the NFL’s best.

“It’s just trying to get them going as fast as they can, getting them in the book, understanding the offense, understanding where they need to be, timing of routes and just understanding how we want every route to be run,” Love said after practice on Tuesday.

“Obviously, new offense for them. As a rookie, your head’s spinning a little bit. I think the quicker that we can get them going, I know it’s not going to be easy for them, it’s going to take time, but the more reps they get, the better.”