The Green Bay Packers failed to make a significant step into the 2024 season despite winning two consecutive regular season games. Matt Lafleur’s team limped along in the postseason and was defeated by 12 points in the NFC Wild Card round, providing a stark difference in finishing compared to when the 2023 Packers stormed into the playoffs and were minutes away from advancing to the NFC title game.
While most conventional counting stats say the Packers have improved overall, not everyone agrees.
In fact, according to Pro Football Focus’ overall grade, the Packers actually regressed slightly from 83.6 (12) in 2023 to 83.5 (17) in 2024 – suggesting that Lafleur’s team was no better while the overall the quality of the league has improved.
Two truths from 2024: The Packers received plenty of value and upgrades from outside additions, but lacked internal development of players on the roster.
Here’s a closer look at the Packers’ most improved players from the 2024 season, using individual overall grades from Pro Football Focus as our guide:
G Sean Rhyan
2023 Class: 49.3
2024 Class: 61.3
Improvement: 12.0
Rhyan gave up a team-high four sacks and eight quarterback hits, but he improved significantly in both his run blocking and pass blocking grades in his first season as a (mostly) full-time starter at Guard. He played over 1,000 snaps in 2024. Another step forward as a second-year starter in 2025, and Rhyan would represent a highly capable NFL guard.
CB Eric Stokes
2023 Class: 51.5
2024 Class: 61.3
Improvement: 9.8
This improvement was a mix of his disappointing return to the field in 2023 and a return to some level of reliability in 2024. Stokes performed well and didn’t give up many explosive plays, but he also gave up three touchdowns and had no touchdowns and no intercepting or breaking up a pass.
CB Carrington Valentine
2023 Class: 57.5
2024 Class: 65.5
Improvement: 8.0
Valentine struggled to protect the perimeter against the run and missed many tackles in space, but proved to be an effective coverage player for Jeff Hafley. His coverage rating improved to 71.4 in 2024. Valentine didn’t give up a touchdown to his coverage, broke up three passes and created three turnovers, including two picks. His improved range suggests Valentine could be a capable starter in 2025.
LB Eric Wilson
2023 Class: 56.5
2024 Class: 64.3
Improvement: 7.8
Wilson was excellent as a scoring starter during a few games and a liability during a handful of others. He produced 23 stops, up from just seven last year, and created nine pressures as a blitz. His issues included coverage and missing tackles (11 misses, 15.1 percent miss rate).
TE TUCKER Strength
2023 Class: 60.4
2024 Class: 67.8
Improvement: 7.4
For whatever reason, Kraft did not receive good run-blocking grades from PFF. He improved significantly in his playing and also achieved an augment in his success rate in designed low games. Kraft was excellent after the catch and forcing TDs – he led all NFL tight ends in average yards per catch and total TDs forced in 2024.
DL Devonte Wyatt
2023 Class: 59.6
2024 Class: 66.4
Improvement: 6.8
Wyatt missed just three tackles, compared to an incredible 15 misses last year. He completed more plays but wasn’t as disruptive as a rusher (32 pressures in 2024 compared to 48 in 2023), although he played significantly fewer snaps (644 in 2023 compared to 366 in 2024). The Packers viewed him as their most consistent interior rusher.
RT Zach Tom
2023 Class: 79.7
2024 Class: 85.8
Improvement: 6.1
He went from a good second-year player to a dominant third-year player. Tom improved as a pass blocker (allowing only 28 pressures, down from 37 in 2023) and took a large leap as a run blocker (grade improved from 81.8 to 87.8). He played over 1,000 snaps at right tackle in his sophomore season.
CB Keisean Nixon
2023 Class: 60.0
2024 Class: 64.0
Improvement: 4.0
The move to perimeter corner helped Nixon become a more consistent coverage player, but his ability to impact shots and defend the run fueled his overall improvement. He left less tackle and also forced three fumbles while allowing fewer catches and fewer carries in 2024.
RB Emanuel Wilson
2023 Class: 80.0
2024 Class: 82.9
Improvement: 2.9
His 2023 season was cut low due to injury, but Wilson emerged as a legitimate No. 2 running back in 2024, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and forcing 28 TDs. He also had seven runs of 15 or more meters.
LT Rasheed Walker
2023 Class: 66.3
2024 Class: 68.6
Improvement: 2.3
Walker was once again good as a pass defender at left tackle and reduced his sacks allowed from six in 2023 to just three in 2024. His run blocking hasn’t improved.
LG Elgton Jenkins
2023 Class: 63.8
2024 Class: 65.5
Improvement: 1.7
Jenkins finished as the Packers’ top pass blocker after allowing only one sack and 18 pressures. He has taken 10 penalties, compared to just five in 2023. Jenkins has played 72 snaps at center this season.
Other improvements
S Zayne Anderson (+51.0): The backup safety only played 14 snaps on defense in 2023, but was effective in coverage and great on special teams in 2024. He recorded his first and first career interceptions. His final defensive rating in 2024 was 80.8.
Brenton Cox Jr. (+9.0): After a season and a half of redshirting, Cox was productive in the second half of the 2024 season, producing 18 pressures and four sacks.
WR Malik Heath (+2.8): He caught two touchdown passes, had no drops and completed 4 of 5 contested catches.
WR Christian Watson (+0.9): He averaged 2.26 yards per rush, a perfect mark and a large improvement from 2023 (1.48). He also made 10 of 15 contested catches and had just two drops while averaging 21.4 yards per catch.
P Daniel Whelan (+0.8): It has improved its yards per cut, net average and hang time in 2024.
Enrichment
Starter Josh Jacobs improved from a 65.0 grade in his final season with the Raiders to an elite 92.3 grade in his first season with the Packers 27.3. Aaron Jones had an 80.9 overall grade last season, so the Packers have improved overall here.
Quarterback Malik Willis improved from a 45.9 overall grade in his final season with the Titans to a 70.3 grade in his first season with the Packers 24.4. Willis was added via trade after Sean Clifford, last year’s backup, failed to win the job in training camp.
Kicker Brandon McManus improved from a 73.3 overall grade in his final season with the Jaguars to an 81.6 grade in his first season with the Packers 8.3. Anders Carlson had a 42.4 overall grade last season, so the Packers have improved significantly overall here.
