NFC North Predictions

[Heyjoe4]

The only scenario I don't see Wicks on the 53 is if he gets injured or traded. Wicks is at worst our #4 and probably #3 at least starting week 1 ( fighting with Golden) Reed and Doubs are #1 & 2 out of camp)

With the scenario you pointed out, that leaves Reed, Doubs, Golden, Williams and Heath on the 53. Who is your 6th WR? As for Melton, he is the most expendable WR with Golden & Williams added to the roster (Golden for the speed he offers, and Williams for the Jet Sweep plays) Melton had 9 total catches last year, and his 2023 numbers were inflated by 1 game where he had over 100 yards receiving. Hardman at least offers Special Teams return ability and is fighting Heath for the #6 spot, Melton as of now is my #8.

Watson doesn't count in any of this, as he will be on IR to start the season. When he returns, someone on the WR roster will get traded, released, or put on the practice squad.

Good point about Wicks. It's more likely that Melton, Heath, and Hardman don't make the 53.

That still leaves the problem of only having 5 WRs - assuming no changes in personnel and Watson unavailable until late October. To fill that gap I'd keep Melton. Yeah he only had the one good season, but that's more than Heath can say, and Hardman is a PS guy. Nixon wants to return KOs again, and I don't think they keep Hardman just to handle PRs.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Wow. I actually believe Melton has the least chance of those 3. Will definitely be interesting.

It's hard to get excited about any of these three players. Melton did have the one good season. DoUrant pointed out that my scenario only leaves 5 WRs for the 53. I think Wicks stays and Heath gets the boot.

We've seen too little of any of these guys to make informed predictions now. But with the addition of Golden and Williams, maybe these bubble candidates will work a bit harder in TC and the PS. It's always possible a WR Gluten and MLF like becomes available in cur downs.

Anyway to update my pretty bad initial list - I think Heath and Hardman get the boot. Again, this is a way-too-early call. A lot will change between now and the finalization of the 53.

 

[OldSchool101]

So similar to several other position battles, WR will likely come down to battles in Camp and Preseason. Their is a legitimate case for WR6/WR7 (because if there has ever been solid reasoning to hold 7 WR’s this is one year).

Some stats are From “Packers Wire”

Punt/Kick Returner
Reed ranked 33rd out of 42 qualified punt returners at PFF in 2023, and 42nd out of 43 in 2024, with an average grade of 49.8. While I like Reed, he is not the answer here.

Hardman ranked an average of 13th in the four seasons he qualified with the minimum tried. His average grade? 68.3%

After an All-Pro season as a kick returner in 2022, Keisean Nixon's production has dipped massively. He has an average PFF grade of just 60.3 as a returner in the last two seasons.

-Nixon intimated during his most recent session with the media that he did not want to return kicks anymore, and instead wanted to focus on being a cornerback, a role in which he has become more important to Green Bay.

*Hardman becomes a logical answer with an above serviceable 62.2% PFF career grade at Returner. Along with proven Big Play ability.

Slot
Reed is our obvious choice in the Slot and Hardman and Reed overlap many of the same traits. However what many forget is that Reed also lined up at the Perimeter for 2 seasons at Michigan State, so he has versatility at either position. So it is Reed, not Hardman that would open up possibilities of Hardman playing in the Slot if MLF wants to utilize him some in his Offense. How did Hardman fare in the Slot?
Hardman has by far the best track record against man coverage among Green Bay's group of wideouts. His 72.33 career PFF grade versus man is markedly better than Romeo Doubs' 65.2, Dontayvion Wicks' 63.9 and Jayden Reed's 57.7. His 1.97 yards per route run (Y/RR) also easily clears Wicks at 1.39, Reed at 1.34 and Doubs at 1.05.

These are not to diminish our other Wideouts. Rather it shows that when Hardman makes a Roster he performs. He’s not a project player and his scope is not limited to 1 dimension. The guy scored 3 TD’s in one game against the SF49ers. He’s far more dynamic and far more versatile than anyone on the bottom of our Roster imo.

X Factor
“It brought me to tears seeing that he was the man that got us this ring,” Kelce said. “Sometimes the media world can be pretty harsh on a guy. … Mecole is one of my favorite teammates ever because he just keeps showing up and he keeps trying to find ways to win. Had a huge play for us early on that kind of sparked us and on top of that, finds a way to win the game for us when everybody counted him out — even the Jets counted him out.

“And man, we were so excited when he got back in the building because he’s the kind of guy who brings everybody together. He’s got that kind of personality.”

Teams are judged from the Bottom up.
Would I rather have Hardman, Melton, Heath or some Green Pea with the game on the line. For myself it’s not even a question. Give me the Bulldog thats been counted out and counted on. Desmond Howard PT2

 

[OldSchool101]

Not sure where one would find such information, but I'm guessing Rodgers was further along down the ADOT line when he was in his prime.

Couldn’t find that but did notice Rodgers last 2 seasons 2022,2024 had a spike in drops. 40 average per season which is high.

Also comparing to Pat Mahomes 16.8% bad throw % career, Jordan’s 18.3% is about right. Considering his average depth to target is a full 2 yards more, it’s likely he’s throwing more deep balls. We’d expect him to be higher in bad throw % if he’d throwing longer, but actually he’s pretty normal range.

 

[gopkrs]

Assuming no big health issue changes or such…

Packers and Lions both go 12-5 (toss up who takes division)
Vikings 9-8
Bears 8-9

OK. I'll take a stab at it.
lions 13-4
Pack 12-5
vikes 9-8
bears 7-10
It's such a tough schedule

 

[Heyjoe4]

OK. I'll take a stab at it.
lions 13-4
Pack 12-5
vikes 9-8
bears 7-10
It's such a tough schedule

I would be overjoyed with a 12-5 record, given the tough schedule. If the team returns to the form it showed in the last half od the 2023 season, and the impressive playoff play against the Cowboys and Niners, then 12 wins is certainly possible.

There are a lot of important factors behind a big year. For the Packers, I think it comes down to 1) improved, consistent play from the passing offense and 2) a solid improvement in pressures and sacks from last year.

If they can execute those two things consistently and, of course, avoid massive injuries, then 12 regular-season wins are possible. And the schedule gets them playoff-ready.

 

[gopkrs]

I would be overjoyed with a 12-5 record, given the tough schedule. If the team returns to the form it showed in the last half od the 2023 season, and the impressive playoff play against the Cowboys and Niners, then 12 wins is certainly possible.

There are a lot of important factors behind a big year. For the Packers, I think it comes down to 1) improved, consistent play from the passing offense and 2) a solid improvement in pressures and sacks from last year.

If they can execute those two things consistently and, of course, avoid massive injuries, then 12 regular-season wins are possible. And the schedule gets them playoff-ready.

I would add very good O line play. I think our running game has to go. Not to the expense of the passing game, but to open it up. Hopefully we have a good mix and the play calls are timely.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I would add very good O line play. I think our running game has to go. Not to the expense of the passing game, but to open it up. Hopefully we have a good mix and the play calls are timely.

The Packers are kinda loaded at RB. If they could use guys other than Jacobs from time to time, well it would save more wear and tear on Jacobs.

But yeah, The O line needs to be solid. I liked the offseason moves to the OL.