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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Bob Henry, Jason Wood, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
After some early-camp shakiness, Jordan Love is now well-paid and appears focused on sustaining 2023’s success. Forbes’ Rob Reischel noted yet another strong practice last Thursday and highlighted that Love’s connection with his wideouts—particularly Romeo Doubs—is already “in midseason form.” Behind Love, the battle between Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt may have been settled over the past week. Clifford performed well in the 2023 camp and preseason, but he’s drawn mixed reviews this year, and coach Matt LaFleur specifically called out a blunder from the Denver game. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky thought Pratt “might have closed the gap” even before outplaying Clifford against Baltimore.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Josh Jacobs is locked in as the Packers’ workhorse. Given his role, salary, and last year’s injury woes, we’ve seen little of Jacobs this camp, and that’s good. The team drafted MarShawn Lloyd knowing of some injury red flags, and it’s been nothing but health concerns since. Lloyd has missed practice and game time with both old and new injuries, and the team can use new IR rules to stash him temporarily off the roster. Most of the camp buzz has surrounded Emanuel Wilson, who led the NFL in rushing last preseason and could unseat AJ Dillon as the No. 2 running back. Wilson impressed again with strong running against the Ravens; ending the preseason with 160 yards and a touchdown on his 37 rushes. His part-time showing in that game allowed Ellis Mayweather (16 carries for 74 yards) and Nate McCray (11 carries for 64 yards) to showcase their wares. Both look like victims of the numbers game, but it must be noted that Dillon, who got a one-year deal in the offseason, is no guarantee to return. Dillon isn’t a very natural pass-catcher, so if he’s not directly backing up Jacobs, he may not have a role. Lombardi Ave’s Freddie Boston would call Dillon’s release an upset but “not that surprising.” It would save the team $1.3 million at final cuts and keep an eventual role open for Lloyd.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Forbes’ Rob Reischel called Romeo Doubs the 10th-most crucial Packer for 2024 a full month ago, even before Doubs’ ascension to the top of the depth chart. He’s not a standout in any particular area; rather, his value will come from an every-down role (938 snaps last year) as Love’s trusted X receiver. The fact that he may also pace the team in red-zone work only sweetens the pot. Christian Watson—No. 11 on Reischel’s list—has had a quiet camp, but no news is good news for his long-term hamstring woes. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks round out the top four.
The team is unlikely to keep seven wideouts, so Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and Grant DuBose were playing musical chairs against Baltimore. “Man, I pull it on the film,” Heath told reporters after the game. Melton brings active-roster experience, having caught 15 passes from Love down the 2023 stretch. After dropping three balls in the preseason opener, Melton was kept in the mix and feels confident he’ll stick. “I feel I proved being open,” he said. It didn’t bode well for DuBose that he was kept in for 35 snaps—nor that he only drew a single target.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
There’s not an obvious superstar or breakout talent at tight end. That’s not an indictment of Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft but rather a note on how they’ll be used as complementary talents. Musgrave is the more striking athlete, capable of threatening up the seams, while Kraft is the in-line option who will catch underneath and move with the ball. Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse urges us not to sleep on Kraft, who caught several red-zone passes in practice last week. He’s been used on screens, trail routes in front of a rolling Jordan Love, and various other ways. Week-to-week volume may be hard to come by, but both look capable of occasional big games.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
The two main competitors for the Packers' kicking job got ample opportunity to show their skills in the third game of the preseason. Greg Joseph made both of his field goal attempts, including one from 55 yards and an extra point attempt. Anders Carlson made a field goal from 54 yards and both of his extra point attempts but missed from 32 yards, which could be the final blow to his bid to keep his job. Joseph might not have genuinely won the job, so it’s unclear if he’ll be the Week 1 kicker yet.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The dominance of the Ravens Saturday night wasn’t particularly notable on its own, as both teams sat their key players. But when we factor in the week of joint practices leading up to it, it’s easy to be optimistic about new coordinator Jeff Hafley’s unit. Hafley comes from the Steve Spagnuolo/Gregg Williams mold of aggressive, pressure-minded coaches, and that’s been noted throughout camp. Matt Schneidman reported on a blend of explosive pass rush and technical coverage schemes that routinely resulted in sacks of Ravens quarterbacks. “Elite,” safety Evan Williams blurted about the active, violent Packers front. “Having that confidence that those guys are just gonna wreak havoc throughout the game is just a great feeling from a guy in the back end.”
Preseason Updates: Returners
Keisean Nixon has established himself as one of the best kickoff returners in the NFL, but wide receiver Jayden Reed could also be in the mix for punt returns.
Updates from Week 3
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
There’s no question that Jordan Love boasts the raw arm strength to beat defenses deep. At the 2020 Combine, Love posted velocity numbers comparable to those of Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts. Still, his deep ball “remains a work in progress” overall. Love has mixed the good with the bad in camp, continuing to underthrow too often for a young passer with his arm. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich would like to see Love complete half his downfield throws (25+ yards) this year after hitting just 35% in 2023. “Love has the arm talent and decision-making to make these plays happen,” according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman last week. “But some fine-tuning is still needed.”
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
With nothing to prove and a workhorse’s contract in hand, Josh Jacobs is enjoying the full, healthy camp he didn’t get last year. Jacobs should dominate this backfield in ways Aaron Jones didn’t, but the backups will still have their own value. AJ Dillon remains in the mix as the No. 2 running back, but he’s endured a rocky start to the preseason. He plodded to just two yards on four attempts against Cleveland, then argued with the fanbase a bit right after. If not for another injury to rookie MarShawn Lloyd, Dillon and his meager $1.3 million cap hit could be fighting for a roster spot. Dillon sat out the Broncos game, leaving the workload to Emanuel Wilson, whose 41 yards on 13 rushes didn’t exactly turn heads. Before the game, SI.com’s Bill Huber pegged Wilson as a 50/50 shot for the final roster, as his value is essentially tied to Lloyd’s health.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
If the second preseason game was any indicator—and it usually is—the Packers have settled on their rotation. Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks sat out Sunday night, leaving the workload to the fringe youngsters fighting for the No. 5 (and perhaps No. 6) spots. Doubs, Watson, and Reed are the consensus top three, but Wicks has Packers faithful excited in his own right. All four should benefit from increased deep-ball usage (and efficiency) in 2024.
Wicks and Jordan Love connected for a picture-perfect 65-yard touchdown in the preseason opener, and Wicks emphasized last week that it was no fluke. "That's what we wanted to do; that's what we talked about all week—starting fast," the wideout said. "That's what we came out and did. Coaches called the play, trusted us, and we got it done." Bo Melton was the most intriguing of the Game 2 participants, and while his two catches for 10 yards didn’t turn heads, he’s likely locked into a roster spot. After all, Melton caught 15 balls for 211 yards and a touchdown over the final three games of 2023. That experience should launch him past Grant DuBose and Malik Heath—even if Melton has struggled with drops this camp.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The Packers haven’t had a fantasy-relevant tight end since Robert Tonyan caught 11 touchdowns (on 59 targets) in 2020. Today, youngsters Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft may seem in each other’s way, siphoning snaps and volume from each other and mostly canceling out. However, Packers News’ Ryan Wood sees the pair as a dynamic duo: Musgrave as the “field stretcher” and Kraft as the “playmaker with the football in his hands.” “I’m the YAC guy,” Kraft said earlier in camp, which tracks after 99 catches, 1,218 yards, and nine touchdowns at South Dakota State. Just last week, Musgrave told reporters about the positive energy offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich brings to the offense.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
The Packers only got one attempt in the loss to the Broncos, so they didn’t learn much about their kicker battle. Greg Joseph missed (and not by a little) from 47 yards. Joseph has been slightly better than Anders Carlson through camp (52 of 64 vs. 50 of 62), and rookie Alex Hale has been lagging behind the primary competitors (11 of 16) since being added. The Packers' Week 1 kicker may not be on the roster.
Preseason Updates: Defense
For several years running, the Packers have spent premium picks on defense only to finish near the middle of the pack in defensive metrics. But new coordinator Jeff Hafley seems to have their attention: “We’re gonna have something,” cornerback Jaire Alexander boasts. Gone are the zone blitzes and complex switches up front; edge rushers like Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Lukas Van Ness will be pinning back their ears and attacking more. "Hand in the dirt and not dropping back," Gary told the media early in camp. "That simple." With more explosion off the edges, life should be much easier for Alexander, who looks to bounce back to his 2022 All-Pro form. That also goes for fellow cornerback Eric Stokes, who has fallen off noticeably since an impressive rookie campaign in 2021. The team hasn’t added much competition, and Stokes reportedly kicked off camp in “outstanding” fashion.
Preseason Updates: Offensive Lines
Despite losing right guard Jon Runyan to free agency, this group has good talent at several spots, notably left guard Elgton Jenkins and right tackle Zach Tom. Tom has five-position versatility and looked good in his return from a weight room pectoral tear. Rookie right guard Jordan Morgan (Round 1, Arizona) also resumed practice (shoulder), hoping to lock down a starting job before the season. The "best five" for Green Bay include Morgan and Josh Myers at center, although Sean Rhyan has been working at both spots. The Packers rank 26th for now. They should rise when the lineup settles.
Updates from Week 2
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's Preseason Insights: What You Need To Know This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Jordan Love followed an up-and-down start to camp with an emphatic statement in the preseason opener. Love landed a massive long-term contract last month, but long-time Packers writer Bill Huber noted "a bit of a funk" in recent practices. Huber detailed a mix of strong throws and shaky, off-target ones, from misreads to simple misfires. Against the Browns, Love dispelled much of that worry on the game’s third play with a gorgeous 65-yard touchdown dart to No. 3 receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Love masterfully held Wicks’ defender with his eyes, then delivered a laser throw that looked like second nature for the duo. He sat after that drive, as it’s clear there’s little left for Love to prove. “We know what he’s capable of doing, and he’s capable of doing anything,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “That’s always comforting.”
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Free agent prize Josh Jacobs is the clear starter; the only real mystery is what percentage of the workload he’ll get. Coach LaFleur never gave Aaron Jones more than 236 carries in a season, preferring a committee approach regardless of the respective talents of the running backs behind him. While many spelled out AJ Dillon’s doom in the offseason, the team brought him back affordably, and he now seems thrilled with where he is. “This is the best I’ve seen him, hands down,” LaFleur said. Dillon seems far more entrenched than third-round rookie MarShawn Lloyd, who drew more questions than answers from LaFleur as camp broke. Lloyd looks hard-pressed to turn this talented duo into a trio in 2024. Against the Browns, both Emanuel Wilson (13 carries for 67 yards and one touchdown) and Jarveon Howard (8 carries for 44 yards) were featured heavily as they vie for roster spots. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein would love to see one of them challenge Dillon, but right now, that looks unlikely.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Last preseason, many wondered how the Packers’ young, ragtag receiver room would work. Now, those same names are drawing raves as their skills – and their roles in the offense – continue to take shape. Christian Watson remains the biggest mismatch, standing at least two inches above the rest of the depth chart. But Watson has struggled to stay on the field through two-plus seasons and is currently dealing with a knee bruise that kept him out of the preseason opener. Meanwhile, Romeo Doubs continues to distance himself from the pack; it would be an upset to see anyone else lead the team in receptions in 2024. “He catches more balls than anyone in the building,” LaFleur remarked. Dontayvion Wicks’ week was certainly a yo-yo: after playing a disappointing six out of 26 snaps with the starters in the annual Family Night practice, he hauled in a 65-yard touchdown pass from Love on the third play against the Browns. Wicks may be firmly behind Jayden Reed for the No. 3 role, but his presence helps insulate the offense in case Watson continues getting hurt.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The tight end room may appear crowded, with second-year prospects Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft sharing the top of the depth chart. But there should be enough opportunity for Musgrave, the more explosive of the two, to take a statistical leap as they split snaps. Green Bay Press-Gazette’s Ryan Wood calls it “a good problem to have,” pairing Musgrave’s seam-stretching abilities with Kraft’s in-line game. “It’s all about how you go and attack people on a week-to-week basis,” LaFleur said. That may not mean game-by-game consistency, but both are integral to the offense.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
After Greg Joseph and Anders Carlson went 1 of 4 into the wind on Tuesday, the Packers signed rookie Alex Hale out of Oklahoma State, turning the kicker position into a three-way competition. Hale has gone 5 of 6 on field goals since joining the team, and Green Bay is giving him a chance to compete alongside the veterans in practice. In the preseason opener, both Carlson and Joseph were perfect—Carlson went 2 of 2 on field goals with an extra point, while Joseph went 1 of 1 on field goals with an extra point. Hale did not get a chance to kick in the game, leaving this kicker battle more undecided than when camp opened.
Preseason Updates: Defense
Perhaps a simple coaching tweak will help the defense advance in 2024. New coordinator Jeff Hafley, a 4-3 proponent, focuses on rushing passers from the three-point stance, a shift drawing raves, and creating splash plays on the practice field. “I feel more explosive coming out of the three-point stance,” top edge rusher Rashan Gary said of the new approach. “Sometimes, when you’re in a two-point stance, you can create more false steps. When it’s ‘hand in the dirt,’ false steps are taken away.” Gary, Preston Smith, and Kenny Clark are well-established rushers who stand to benefit from a more explosive scheme up front – and there’s young, talented depth on its way up. For what it’s worth, the group corralled Browns quarterbacks three times in the preseason opener.
Preseason Updates: Returners
Keisean Nixon has established himself as one of the best kickoff returners in the NFL, while receiver Jayden Reed is challenging for a larger share of punt return duties.
Updates from Week 1
If you're in a hurry, check out Joe Bryant's What You Need To Know From Every Team This Week.
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Jordan Love has struggled with accuracy at times but is given more leeway following his breakout 2023 season. SI.com’s Bill Huber reported another mixed performance last weekend: Love completed a mediocre 20-of-36 passes over Saturday and Sunday, with a few near-interceptions balanced by several “high-quality throws.” Despite some inconsistencies, Love impressed onlookers with his ability to spread the ball around and make plays downfield against the Packers’ first- and second-team defenses. “He’s able to fit a lot of balls into windows that shouldn’t be there, [where the throw] seems kind of impossible,” rookie safety Evan Phillips noted. “It’s great for our defense to go up against a caliber of quarterback just like Jordan.”
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
Early reports of AJ Dillon’s decline may have been exaggerated. After the team drafted USC’s MarShawn Lloyd in the third round, many assumed Dillon (who averaged just 3.4 yards per rush in 2023) was slipping down the depth chart. However, head coach Matt LaFleur tempered expectations for Lloyd, describing him as "a work in progress." LaFleur noted, "He's missed a lot of time, a lot of valuable reps. Certainly, got to get him back in football shape. There's no other way, in my opinion, to simulate that other than being out there, getting those reps." The Leap’s Jason Hirschhorn expects Dillon to remain the clear No. 2 behind Josh Jacobs, who was signed to a significant contract ($12.5 million guaranteed) in the offseason. Jacobs enters camp healthy and has expressed enthusiasm for his transition from the Raiders, saying, "That's what I would say the biggest difference is: You know what being a Packer is. You feel that throughout the building. You see it on a day-to-day basis."
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
The Packers enter camp without a clear number-one wideout but may find one in the combination of Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson. Doubs has impressed with his tough downfield catches, earning praise from All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, who said, “The dude’s freaking really good. He came in his rookie year not catching a single pass on me. Now we’re going up for 50-50 balls. Dude is really good.” Watson, however, is still working to prove himself after an injury-plagued 2023. Wisconsin Sports Heroics’ Glenn Kaplan noted that Watson gave Jordan Love the team’s worst passer rating among wideouts last year and recently had a "boneheaded" misread leading to a Love interception. Beyond them, Dontayvion Wicks has shown potential, despite some mental miscues. While it's unlikely Wicks will secure the starting slot job, he has an opportunity to improve while Jayden Reed is on the non-football injury list.
Preseason Updates: Tight Ends
The 2023 draft appears to have provided the team's No. 1 and No. 2 tight ends of the future. Luke Musgrave, who spent most of his rookie year split out as a receiver, and Tucker Kraft, who focused on in-line duties, are expected to continue in these roles. Kraft hasn’t practiced since injuring a pectoral in spring minicamp but is expected to return soon. If Musgrave and Kraft perform as expected, former camp standout Tyler Davis, recovering from ACL surgery, may be limited to special teams work.
Preseason Updates: Kickers
2023 sixth-round pick Anders Carlson didn’t inspire much confidence in his rookie year, going 27-for-33 on field goal attempts and 34-for-39 on extra points, so the team brought in Greg Joseph, whom the Vikings let go in favor of sixth-round rookie Will Reichard. Joseph has outperformed Carlson through two weeks of camp, going 29 of 31 on field goal attempts, compared to 25 of 31 for Carlson. Joseph was only 3 of 7 at Lambeau Field as a member of the Vikings. Carlson went 8 for 9 on field goals during the Family Night practice at Lambeau, while Joseph went 7 for 9. All the misses were from over 50 yards. Preseason games will probably be the deciding factor in this competition.
Preseason Updates: Defense
The team has invested heavily in splash-play specialists over the years, including edge rushers Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper, and cornerback Eric Stokes. Former coordinator Joe Barry took much of the blame for their underperformance, but there is renewed optimism under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is emphasizing big plays. “This year, we expect to get more TFLs [tackles for loss], more stops at the line, whatever it may be,” said tackle Kenny Clark. “Guys are flying around, flying to the ball and just playing with that intensity." Even Jordan Love has praised the “pressure” and “mind games” the new-look defense has shown in practices.
