The Green Bay Packers struggled last year, especially on offense, with a new cadre of wide receivers for aging Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately for Green Bay fans, the Packers failed to make the playoffs for the first time in years. This meant that in Rodgers’ final season with the Packers, he didn’t make the playoffs and threw an interception to end their season. Ouch. However, the Packers are praying that miracles happen twice after the Brett Farve transition to A-Rod proved fruitful. The team is betting the same happens as they transition to Jordan Love.
A ton of pressure will be on the young quarterback as he seeks to help lead the Packers back to the playoffs in the competitive NFC North. Expect Green Bay to rush a bit more this year than last to take some pressure off Jordan Love’s shoulders. The Packers have a strong coach in Matt LaFleur. They’ve got talented running backs and a great defense. If the Packers can further develop their young wide receivers and dual-rookie tight ends, then this team has the chance to be a top-12 offense. However, keep your projections a bit more conservative, as this is the first time we see an extended version of the Packers’ offense under Jordan Love’s guidance and arm.
Quarterbacks
Jordan Love
A ton of pressure is about to be thrown at the young 25-year-old quarterback. Love will be forced to take the reigns over from Rodgers after waiting two years. The Packers will suit their new-look offense to the strengths of Love while trying to hide his weaknesses. With a talented coaching staff and strong offensive line, don’t be surprised if Love becomes a decent QB2 this year. That will likely be his dynasty ceiling, but if you’re rebuilding or need a high-upside QB2, try to acquire Love. He can be had for less than a first, usually two seconds. At most, I’d pay a late-end first if I got a third back. Jordan has a good arm, but it remains to be seen how good at rushing he will be.
Still, with a proper offseason, Love shouldn’t have any issues developing chemistry with his young receivers, running backs, and tight ends. I project him to finish in the top 20 quarterbacks this season. In that, he will finish with an average of 17.2 ppg after throwing for 3,703 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a passing completion rate of 64.01%. He will add on 35 rushing attempts for 137 yards and two touchdowns. If he proves to be a better rusher, he could be in for a huge season.
Running Backs
Aaron Jones
Once again, Jones will be the focal point of the Green Bay Packers offense. Last year, he had another terrific season and was a top fantasy running back. He scored seven total touchdowns with 1,121 rushing yards, 72 targets, 59 receptions, and 395 receiving yards. Jones may be getting older, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down, especially after averaging over 5.2 yards per carry. Jones will be used a ton this year as Green Bay tries to ease Jordan Love into the starting role. A great running game is crucial to developing your quarterback and taking a ton of pressure off his shoulders.
That’s why I’m predicting another terrific season for Jones. There aren’t many running backs you could start that are better for a contending dynasty team. I’d gladly trade a late-first for Jones, as his price is limited due to his age. He should be an RB1 once again this year. My projections for Aaron Jones are 221 rushes for 1,151 yards, three rushing touchdowns, 76 targets, 61 receptions, 406 yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Add in four fumbles, and you get an average of 16.2 ppg over 16 games. Fire Jones up.
AJ Dillon
Just like Jones, expect the Packers to feature Dillon more than last year as they seek to run the ball more often with Jordan at quarterback. Dillon will never be the RB1 many have been hoping for or predicting for years. Dillon is still a quality RB2/3 or flex play. He belongs solely on contending rosters as they most need a strong flex play or high-upside depth running back. See if you can’t acquire multiple seconds in return for him. AJ had a fine year last year with 976 total yards and seven touchdowns. I think he should be right around there again this year.
That’s fine. My projections for Dillon are 813 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 44 targets, 28 receptions, 196 yards, and a touchdown. That’s good enough for 10.8 ppg. That’s a solid bye-week fill-in or flex play. He will certainly have some major boom weeks.
Wide Receivers
Christian Watson
Watson had a strong rookie year despite dealing with drops and missing multiple games. He proved he could be a reliable and valuable wide receiver with big-play potential and red-zone capabilities. Watson even showed he could rush the ball with seven carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. He added seven receiving touchdowns and 611 yards on 41 catches. Watson should be set up to have a strong sophomore year serving as the new WR1 of the Green Bay Packers. Jordan Love has a good enough arm to get the ball to Watson.
Trust in LaFleur to get Watson the ball multiple ways. If you need a WR2, especially a young one, then see if you can trade a late-first for him or acquire him as a rebuilding team. I project Watson for 111 targets, 70 receptions, 1,017 yards, nine touchdowns, and 14.3 ppg. I definitely believe in him this season.
Romeo Doubs
There are a lot of rumors or reports out there that Love has developed a strong rapport with Doubs. That could mean he’s set for a dynasty breakout year after an alright rookie season, despite the fact he missed multiple games. Doubs could become a late-end WR2 in dynasty should this prove true, but ultimately, I still believe in Watson over Doubs. Doubs’ ceiling this season is likely as a flex play. If you need a young WR4, see if you can get Doubs as a rebuilder or a potential flip if you’re a contender. Doubs likely misses a few games but could be an alright bye-week fill-in.
I project Doubs to see 82 targets, catch 52 passes, and garner 531 yards and three touchdowns. That’s good enough for eight ppg. He could be far better if the reports are true and Doubs and Love have a solid connection.
Jayden Reed
Reed is a rookie wide receiver taken in the second round of the NFL Draft. He has big play potential and looks ready to start on the Packers’ offense immediately. Due to him being a rookie, I have him and Doubs splitting the workload as WR2, especially since it’s far too early to know who Love will target the most. Still, Reed has all the traits you want in a wide receiver and could develop quickly. If you can acquire him for a second or in a trade if you’re rebuilding, I’d consider it. He will surpass the 500-yard threshold this year, a big indicator of future success. I project Jayden Reed to have 84 targets, 51 receptions, 623 yards, three touchdowns, and 7.7 ppg.
Tight Ends
Luke Musgrave
I don’t recommend playing Musgrave this year, even in tight-end premium leagues. Musgrave is a developmental rookie tight end. He has a ton of potential, but it remains to be seen how the Green Bay Packers help him reach it. Plus, who knows if Love even targets him or Kraft much? Musgrave should be a guy you try to acquire next off-season. This year, he’s only projected for 61 targets, 39 receptions, 413 yards, and two touchdowns. It’s an alright year, but this is a very murky situation in dynasty two new and talented rookie tight ends.
Tucker Kraft
You don’t typically want to be playing a rookie tight end in dynasty. Usually, you don’t even want to trade for one or draft one in the rookie draft. You can get the same tight end cheaper, usually after their “meh” rookie season. This isn’t different for Kraft, as I have him down for only 33 targets, 21 receptions, 242 yards, and a touchdown. It will take time to see how the playing time and targets sort out for the two new rookie tight ends of the Packers.
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As always, May the Force be with You…
