The Green Bay Packers’ quarterback group — think quarterbacks, point guards and middle linebackers — is brimming with potential entering 2024, but potential is nothing until it’s realized, so their position in Bill Barnwell’s ESPN Rating shouldn’t be a massive surprise, even if it seems low.
Barnwell ranked the Packers 17th in his 2024 quarterback rankings.
Barnwell’s rankings strategy was to place greater emphasis on wide receivers, elite players and efficiency.
The Packers have everything they need at quarterback, point guard and center, but in 2024, everything has to come together around Jordan Love.
Barnwell was especially sanguine about the Packers’ wide receivers.
“There are no stars or household names on this roster yet, but it is the youngest, deepest receiving corps in the league, with four different wide receivers who are credible contenders for a starting spot when healthy. Their youth suggests these wideouts should be better in 2024 than they were in 2023,” Barnwell wrote.
Barnwell also believes that Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft have “flashed potential” at tight end as rookies. He has concerns about running back, where Josh Jacobs could theoretically be a playmaking replacement for Aaron Jones, and AJ Dillon’s development path has been a disappointment. Perhaps rookie MarShawn Lloyd can lend a hand elevate that position group.
One thing is for sure: Jeff Hafley’s Packers defense needs to be ready to play in the NFC North in 2024. According to Barnwell, the Detroit Lions are ranked seventh, the Chicago Bears sixth and the Minnesota Vikings fifth in offensive quarterbacks.
Still, the future is brilliant in Green Bay. Jacobs, just 26, is just a year removed from being named the top running back. The receiver group is five or six high-profile players, including a few potential stars. Both tight ends could be difference-makers.
“If Jacobs gets back on track and one of the wideouts steps up, the Packers should be a top-10 pick next year,” Barnwell concluded.
The top four teams are the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans. The Packers will face all four in the 2024 season.
