Pro Football Focus uses the offseason to review and rank all position groups across the league. PFF recently conducted a full 32-team ranking for The best players in the NFLand the Green Bay Packers receiver group ranked 14th.
It’s crucial to note that wide receivers weren’t the only ones to be ranked. The list includes wideouts, tight ends, and running backs who all have an impact on the passing game.
Here’s what PFF had to say about Green Bay’s receiving corps:
Three Packers wide receivers — Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks — earned PFF grades above 70.0 in 2023, helped in vast part by the emergence of quarterback Jordan Love.
Romeo Doubs was just below, with a 68.4 grade, and tight ends Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft both had grades above 64.0. Green Bay lost receiver Aaron Jones but brought in Josh Jacobs. It’s a deep group of youthful pass-catchers.
Green Bay finishing in the top half of the league is a great honor for a group of youthful, talented pass-catchers who will be expected to get even better in 2024.
Last season, the team relied heavily on first- and second-year players to carry the offensive load, especially at the skill positions.
With Watson battling injuries, Doubs has taken on a much larger role, recording the most offensive snaps of any player not named Jordan Love or an offensive lineman. The team’s decision to build a younger roster has also given more opportunities to Reed, Wicks, Musgrave and Kraft, who were all rookies last season.
Reed led the Packers in receptions and yards and led the team in receiving touchdowns. His 64 receptions also set a fresh franchise record for catches by a rookie, surpassing Sterling Sharpe’s 55 in 1988.
Meanwhile, fifth-round draft pick Wicks finished third on the team in receiving yards, showing off his route-running ability and confident hands as the season progressed.
Tight ends typically have a lot to learn when they make the jump to the NFL, but Musgrave was an exception. He became an instant starter, becoming a active target for Love until a torn kidney sidelined him for six games. Musgrave returned for the team’s season finale and playoffs and is poised to emerge as a breakout candidate in 2024.
After a abrasive start to his NFL career, Kraft has proven to be a worthy replacement in Musgrave’s absence, flashing his run-after-the-catch ability and improving his run-blocking. Kraft also expects to play a major role in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
Despite last season’s success, Green Bay still has a lot to prove compared to its peers. A 14th overall seed isn’t bad, but it also puts us in last place in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears (No. 4), Minnesota Vikings (No. 6), and Detroit Lions (No. 7).
Chicago has reloaded on offense this season, pairing receivers Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze with DJ Moore. They also added running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett, and will return Cole Kmet, providing a forceful arsenal for first-round pick Caleb Williams.
Meanwhile, Minnesota and Detroit are anchored by two of the league’s best wide receivers, Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra. St. Brown. Not to mention that TJ Hockenson and Sam Laporta are two of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Regardless of their rankings, Green Bay has to be positive about its pass-catching roster next season. But whether this group can become one of the league’s best receiving corps will depend on their ability to stay vigorous, build on last season and continue to develop as individuals.
