Packers Roster Assessment, 2025 Off-Season

[DoURant]

To have a 1000 yd receiver, you really need a true #1 go to guy, who is able to stretch the field, and consistently get YAC yards. To get there, you have to avg 59 yds/gm. That may not seem like much, but that's 5 catches per game, at 12 yds a pop. On a well balanced team, that is a tough feat. That's why guys like Jordy were able to get there. He had quite a few long TD's every year. Or Davante who would get 7+ catches most weeks, and rack up the YAC on at least 2 of those catches.

 

[tynimiller]

I agree it's gonna be hard for one receiver (WR/TE) to get to 1,000 yards. If MLF can finally stick to the run over an entire season and blend in RPOs the offense will burn a lot of time and put up points. There are only so many targets in one season. FWIW, I expect Love to be more careful with the ball this year.

And yeah, if anyone is going to get to 1,000 yards Reed is the most likely candidate. I think Kraft could put up 600 or 700 yards himself, but that has a ceiling for the same reasons I mentioned above. And hopefully a healthy Musgrave gets his game going.

Kraft did that last year and we ran a crap ton…if Musgrave doesn’t play well or goes down again Kraft likely easily hits 800 yards so long as he is healthy

 

[OldSchool101]

Yes. I think there are multiple ways to skin a SB cat. I like to look around me to see what’s been working in real time because the league does evolve.
The Eagles had a WR1 (AJ) crack 1000 and their WR2 logged 900+. What’s impressive is they did it with about 450 Pass attempts, which is pretty normal to low pass attempt range. The entire QB room only passed for 3200 yards. However what Philly did well played keep away (32+ min per game)
Eagles and Lions were #1, 2 in Time of Possession and the Eagles ran an astounding 621 times at a solid 4.9 per. It’s absolutely a common denominator that 2 highly successful teams ran the ball a bunch. Emphasis at RB has returned and imo it’s why we invested heavily at Run Block.

That means Philly ran 1,114 TOTAL Offensive plays. Normal Offense floats around that 950-1025 plays run area.

If healthy, GB has the RB room to get into that 1025-1074 Offensive plays at 4.6-5.0 per Run and 500-550 rushes. That leaves plenty of snaps passing to achieve a 1000 yard Receiver. Having that 1000 yard Receiver is as much about the size of the pizza as it is the hunger of the eater.

 

[OldSchool101]

My biggest concern is Boundary CB.
Behind what’s probably at best an average pair of CB’s we have:

Kamal Hadden
0 NFL snaps

Micah Robinson
0 NFL snaps (1 season of College ball)

Isaiah Brown
114 Career Def snaps

Omar Brown
8 career Defensive snaps

Johnathan Baldwin
0 NFL Snaps

Tyron Herring
0 NFL career snaps.

Now admittedly any one of these guys could go All Pro someday, However today is not someday and this isn’t my idea of proper depth in a Room that typically carries Veteran depth in an ordinary season, much less a season we are needing a Top 5 Defense to push deep into the Playoffs. Proper Depth at CB is imperative and imo this is a big gamble Brian is making after walking JA.
I’d be bringing aboard 1 more known quantity Veteran. It doesn’t need to be a blockbuster trade or anything like that. We’d better be fully involved at cutdowns or be prepared to work a player for player trade. We have OL or DL that can be used as a bartering chip or do a late Draft Round swap if needed.

 

[Voyageur]

Context

Favre was an anomaly. He could make horrible mistakes and make up for it with amazing plays. He drove Holmgren nuts over his antics on the field. As of yet, Love hasn't shown that big play dynamics but he sure is better at keeping the ball out of the hands of the opposition. Is Love better than Favre? I couldn't even venture a guess at this point. In some areas of the game, he's far superior and in others he's so far behind that he needs to do a lot of catch-up.

Do I think he could end up better than Favre? I just don't know and won't even guess at this point. This coming season is going to tell us a lot. It's his third year and the game should slow down for him.

 

[OldSchool101]

IF we do perfect a trade for a CB and I fully realize it’s rare we do this. Just hypothetical my thoughts for acquiring a CB are trading 1 of this group. Wooden, Jenkins, Enagbare or Doubs.

Now don’t take this the wrong way as I like all those players, but none of them are world beaters imo. We also brought in substantial depth at each position. As of today, Jenkins would be ideal because we’d scoop $13Mil -minus- any offset and imo we have about 3 guys that are available to play Center. Jenkins is also a good Starter for a fresh team, he’s not some castaway player.

I would be excited to see Rhyan play Center and let Belton compete for RG

Morgan-Banks-Rhyan-Belton-Tom
Or
Walker-Banks-Rhyan-Morgan-Tom

That’s also a Big, Strong Set of Interior. Rhyan was part of a Bruins OL that posted 200 rushing yards per game in consecutive seasons. Morgan is projected to be a Probowl Guard and early. Banks is a well above average run Mover. If I’m Jacobs I could get excited about that lineup. I’m not scared to keep Walker intact and upgrade the interior, he’s been a good LT imo.

 

[Voyageur]

The Packers are in great shape. Most of the positions of need are areas where they need depth and/or need to prepare for future losses moreso than need immediate help. Every team is going to have that every offseason. Cornerback is the only spot where they absolutely need new guys immediately. Here's the starting lineup, CB aside, going into next season with zero re-signings and no new additions.

QB: J. Love
RB: J. Jacobs
TE: T. Kraft
WR: R. Doubs
WR: J. Reed
WR: D. Wicks
LT: R. Walker
LG: J. Morgan
C: E. Jenkins
RG: S. Rhyan
RT: Z. Tom

DE: R. Gary
DT: K. Clark
DT: D. Wyatt
DE: K. Enagbare
LB: Q. Walker
LB: E. Cooper
S: X. McKinley
S: E. Williams

They can/should absolutely improve upon this, but if that's what you're starting with before you've re-signed anyone, spent a dollar of cap space, or used a single draft pick, you're doing well.

Great picture of the team talent.

 

[OldSchool101]

I can see one other area that is sometimes forgotten about, but one that deep playoff contenders excel.
Special Teams

Last year we started off shaky in the Kicking game. Narveson hit the upright in San Paola in Qtr3 in what was a 5 point loss. While it likely didn’t cost us the game, these misses absolutely are momentum killers. It would’ve been 32-34 going into that last drive. GB advanced to the Eagles47. While still a long shot.. it was 2nd and 6 at the Eagles47 with :06 seconds when Love injured. It’s not inconceivable to run a quick play for a 6-7 yard pickup out of bounds and a long 57-58 yard try for the Win. That Missed FG hurt and I wouldn’t want to be Philly with McManus getting a 57 yard try for the Win.

Several weeks later Narveson missed not 1, but 2 FG’s against the Vikings. We lost that game by 2 points. 29-31
in a Division nail biter.
FG misses matter.
Both were Inside <50 yards and Narveson hit the upright on a 43 yard try. Highly likely Brandon does not miss both FG’s. A Win there would’ve been huge for GB. Another momentum killer.

These things have implications. What would 1 more Win mean at the years end? Better seeding. We would’ve picked a 6th seed and while MN still got the 5th seed? GB would’ve likely played the Bucs opening weekend.

the McManus signing went low radar. I feel like he’s a Top ~5 Kicker and he has the leg up to 60 yards in ideal conditions. Our guy went 21/22 and 100% XPM including some clutch FG’s that clinched games. He Kicked at Probowl level last season, we just didn’t have him soon enough.

 

[OldSchool101]

Reed had the NFL lead in most Fair catches by a mile (30). He averaged 7.5 per return in the Punt return on the fewer (14) he returned. Hardman has a real shot to assume that role this season. Mecole average a full 2.5 yards more per Punt return (10.1 per). While that doesn’t sound huge, across 20 returns it’s 50 yards of field position. Not to mention Hardman is more dangerous in the event there’s any break in Punt Coverage because once he has a yard he’s gone, nobody is running him down.

Also it’s probably not ideal to have our starting Perimeter CB fielding Returns. I know there’s been debate on that, but with the new rules just put Hardman or Savion or Bo back there or whoever Wins that battle.

With the new rule changes it will leave more emphasis on Punt Returns as a final way to gain some strategic field position advantage. I’m in favor of taking +50 yards (I’m just going off good sample of proven production) and reducing chances of injury to Reed. If Reed goes down we’re never going to forgive ourselves for this petty WR6/WR7 debate. It’s too important to keep our #1’s clean imo. I like experience in the depth (Mecole) in a Win Now any other time I might think differently.


When Watson gets back we can reassess several weeks in, I like having Cobb 2.0 turbo (Hardman) at PR rather than this Russian roulette with Starters in a thin secondary. Who knows maybe another guy steps up huge before regular season I'm ok with that too.

 

[tynimiller]

Mecole's only route to the team IMO is returner. Heath is a better all around WR than him, so is Doubs, Reed, Wicks, and Golden clearly.....Watson when healthy as well....Savion is a coin toss but draft equity puts him as well above him....

Bo and Mecole to me and Heath are battling for maybe one spot.....if that spot even exists when all the dust settles.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Mecole's only route to the team IMO is returner. Heath is a better all around WR than him, so is Doubs, Reed, Wicks, and Golden clearly.....Watson when healthy as well....Savion is a coin toss but draft equity puts him as well above him....

Bo and Mecole to me and Heath are battling for maybe one spot.....if that spot even exists when all the dust settles.

Bo Melton, I believe, has been switched to cornerback, a position not nearly as deep as the WR position for Green Bay. I wish him well, but it's not an easy hill to climb.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Mecole's only route to the team IMO is returner. Heath is a better all around WR than him, so is Doubs, Reed, Wicks, and Golden clearly.....Watson when healthy as well....Savion is a coin toss but draft equity puts him as well above him....

Bo and Mecole to me and Heath are battling for maybe one spot.....if that spot even exists when all the dust settles.

I don't see anyway for Hardman to make the team. He could be a returner, but if that's it, Gluten won't tie up a roster spot for a guy who has such limited range.

Sounds like with the kickoff rule change, Nixon will be back as the KO returner. As for PR, well they've used Reed although I'm not crazy about that. Maybe Nixon can do KOs and PRs.

As for Melton, he makes the team only if - as you said - the spot exists in the first place. Between Heath and Melton I'd take Heath.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Bo Melton, I believe, has been switched to cornerback, a position not nearly as deep as the WR position for Green Bay. I wish him well, but it's not an easy hill to climb.

I think MLF and Gluten are looking for ways to keep Melton, and it only makes sense if he can contribute on D as well as at WR. Just my opinion, but he's the odd man out for the WR group.

And the CB group could certainly use some depth - good point.

 

[tynimiller]

Bo Melton, I believe, has been switched to cornerback, a position not nearly as deep as the WR position for Green Bay. I wish him well, but it's not an easy hill to climb.

He is repping at both spots.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Favre was an anomaly. He could make horrible mistakes and make up for it with amazing plays. He drove Holmgren nuts over his antics on the field. As of yet, Love hasn't shown that big play dynamics but he sure is better at keeping the ball out of the hands of the opposition. Is Love better than Favre? I couldn't even venture a guess at this point. In some areas of the game, he's far superior and in others he's so far behind that he needs to do a lot of catch-up.

Do I think he could end up better than Favre? I just don't know and won't even guess at this point. This coming season is going to tell us a lot. It's his third year and the game should slow down for him.

Good points. It's hard, if not impossible, to compare Favre to any other QB. I think he has thrown more INTs than any other QB ever in the NFL. But the guy had courage and strength and made a lot more plays than he missed. He played playground football on the largest sports venue in the world.

But "anomaly" is a good word. With today's concussion protocol he never would have amassed so many consecutive starts. But damn the guy was tough. I remember when he played through a nasty thumb injury. His hand was as big and round as a cantaloupe. I have no idea how he gripped the ball, but he never missed a start.

I do agree that this is a big year for Love. He has to show good form and decision making throughout the season. The game should slow down for him, and that will mean better decisions (like when to throw the ball away, for starters).

 

[OldSchool101]

While I don’t wish any ill regard to Malik, for me he’s not shown enough across 2 NFL seasons to warrant elevating him over other current choices.
Now that room is as much about “fit” and I think we need someone as a returner on Teams. It doesn’t hurt that Hardman averaged 20 yards per punt return at Georgia and averages 12.5 per Punt career, which is “very good” level. Now he’s probably got overdrafted by KC with a top 50 area selection, but for Vet minimum he’s a steal. If Golden or Watson or Reed for that matter miss any significant time, he’s a much more NFL prepared and better option than Heath.

As far as more “possession” Receivers. We now have Golden, Doubs and Wicks who can play that role, with Watson in the shadows poised to return. Too much overlap to keep Heath. I’d stash Bo on PS and he’ll likely Elevate with any injury to that group.

I like Malik but he way outside looking in. I’d keep MeCole before Bo and Bo before Malik. MeCole just scored big time bonus points so far also.

Again nothing personal with Heath. In an average season, he’s a good WR to hope to develop. In 2025 the training wheels need to come off, this isn’t a rebuild season anymore.

 

[AKCheese]

Interesting (although not favorable) assessment of Jacobs….

Then there's Josh Jacobs, who racked up 1,329 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in a Pro Bowl season. Yards per carry (4.6) and RYOE (217) loved what he did last season. Other metrics? Not as much. He ranked 15th out of 23 backs in success rate (39.9%) and 19th in EPA (minus-0.12), owing in part to his four fumbles. As a back with a below-average EPA per carry and tons of attempts, Jacobs ranked 135th in cumulative rushing EPA.

Was Jacobs really the league's 135th-best back? Of course not. The concerns about fumbles and inefficiency are meaningful, though. His strength (breaking tackles to extend plays, especially at the second and third levels) is far more conspicuous on highlight-reel runs than his weakness (indecisiveness when hitting the hole and trying to avoid runs for no gain/losses), which tends to add up as the game goes along. The Packers were better when he was off the field than when he was on it, something that wasn't true for Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, other NFL free agent additions.


The playoff loss to the Eagles was a good example of Jacobs' season. He had a spectacular 31-yard run that set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge on what ended up being his final two carries of the season, but he failed to pick up a first down on any of his prior 16 carries. He also fumbled inside the Eagles' 10-yard line, although the Packers were able to fall on the loose ball. Leaving salary aside, he is a useful player, but comparisons to Barkley and Henry in terms of 2024 impact are superficial.

 

[El Guapo]

To be fair to Jacobs' impact, he replaced a good RB in Aaron Jones. The bar was already set high for him to be able to make even more of an impact at RB.

Barkley and Henry were going to make an impact no matter what, because those teams lacked good RBs in 2023.

 

[Pkrjones]

To be fair to Jacobs (again) the run block grades for Jenkins, Myers, and Rhyan were not even "average". Hard to consistently find holes when the entire interior line is getting beat, regularly. I'm looking forward to 2025 when GB will have significantly higher priority on run blocking & opening holes. Lloyd will also benefit & offer Jacobs some rest time while the run game doesn't drop off while Jacobs gets a breather.

 

[tynimiller]

While I don’t wish any ill regard to Malik, for me he’s not shown enough across 2 NFL seasons to warrant elevating him over other current choices.
Now that room is as much about “fit” and I think we need someone as a returner on Teams. It doesn’t hurt that Hardman averaged 20 yards per punt return at Georgia and averages 12.5 per Punt career, which is “very good” level. Now he’s probably got overdrafted by KC with a top 50 area selection, but for Vet minimum he’s a steal. If Golden or Watson or Reed for that matter miss any significant time, he’s a much more NFL prepared and better option than Heath.

As far as more “possession” Receivers. We now have Golden, Doubs and Wicks who can play that role, with Watson in the shadows poised to return. Too much overlap to keep Heath. I’d stash Bo on PS and he’ll likely Elevate with any injury to that group.

I like Malik but he way outside looking in. I’d keep MeCole before Bo and Bo before Malik. MeCole just scored big time bonus points so far also.

Again nothing personal with Heath. In an average season, he’s a good WR to hope to develop. In 2025 the training wheels need to come off, this isn’t a rebuild season anymore.

While I understand someone perhaps placing the order of Heath, Mecole and Bo in a different order, but the issue for all of those guys is the simple fact if Watson wasn't hurt likely NONE of them have a shot at the active roster.



Mecole has done nothing really over his last two seasons that Malik Heath hasn't done as a WR...their statlines are crazy similar for 2024 and 2023 combined:

38 Targets / 214 Yards / 27 Receptions / 7.9 Yds/R / 3 Drops
37 Targets / 222 Yards / 25 Receptions / 8.9 Yds/R / 2 Drops

Kicker is one of these guys have 0 TDs and the other 3 TDs - put that separate so most won't be able to tell who is who above.

@OldSchool101 you brought up college....even in college Mecole didn't really deliver as a WR, because when it comes down to it he is really a manufactured touches type player, not a route winner type.

Both their college numbers totals:
34 Games / 131 Receptions / 1720 Yards / 13.1 Yds/R / 13 TDs
29 Games / 59 Receptions / 950 Yards / 16.1 Yds/R / 11 TDs

*Hardman was a better returner than he was anything in college.

It's just a very observable and easily ascertained thing IMO as to what keeps any of them on the team (not including injury to others)

Melton makes the roster if he shows enough promise at CB to make him be that emergency depth piece with capability depth at WR as well.
Mecole makes the roster if he shows to be our #1 returner either on punts, kicks or both...his bonus is he is a capable depth piece at WR albeit the roughest IMO of the three as a true wideout.
Heath makes the roster if the team desires a guy who knows the system, fits the system, best blocker and route runner capable of winning outside of constructed touches.


I truthfully don't believe any make it unless injury or Savion just looks grossly overwhelmed early....OR a trade happens that involves another WR.

 

[SudsMcBucky]

While I understand someone perhaps placing the order of Heath, Mecole and Bo in a different order, but the issue for all of those guys is the simple fact if Watson wasn't hurt likely NONE of them have a shot at the active roster.



Mecole has done nothing really over his last two seasons that Malik Heath hasn't done as a WR...their statlines are crazy similar for 2024 and 2023 combined:

38 Targets / 214 Yards / 27 Receptions / 7.9 Yds/R / 3 Drops
37 Targets / 222 Yards / 25 Receptions / 8.9 Yds/R / 2 Drops

Kicker is one of these guys have 0 TDs and the other 3 TDs - put that separate so most won't be able to tell who is who above.

@OldSchool101 you brought up college....even in college Mecole didn't really deliver as a WR, because when it comes down to it he is really a manufactured touches type player, not a route winner type.

Both their college numbers totals:
34 Games / 131 Receptions / 1720 Yards / 13.1 Yds/R / 13 TDs
29 Games / 59 Receptions / 950 Yards / 16.1 Yds/R / 11 TDs

*Hardman was a better returner than he was anything in college.

It's just a very observable and easily ascertained thing IMO as to what keeps any of them on the team (not including injury to others)

Melton makes the roster if he shows enough promise at CB to make him be that emergency depth piece with capability depth at WR as well.
Mecole makes the roster if he shows to be our #1 returner either on punts, kicks or both...his bonus is he is a capable depth piece at WR albeit the roughest IMO of the three as a true wideout.
Heath makes the roster if the team desires a guy who knows the system, fits the system, best blocker and route runner capable of winning outside of constructed touches.


I truthfully don't believe any make it unless injury or Savion just looks grossly overwhelmed early....OR a trade happens that involves another WR.

I think this is what separates MH and helps him actually make it on the roster. Nixon has stated he has no desire to do returns anymore, and with the depth of our DB room, that may not actually be a bad idea.

 

[Heyjoe4]

While I don’t wish any ill regard to Malik, for me he’s not shown enough across 2 NFL seasons to warrant elevating him over other current choices.
Now that room is as much about “fit” and I think we need someone as a returner on Teams. It doesn’t hurt that Hardman averaged 20 yards per punt return at Georgia and averages 12.5 per Punt career, which is “very good” level. Now he’s probably got overdrafted by KC with a top 50 area selection, but for Vet minimum he’s a steal. If Golden or Watson or Reed for that matter miss any significant time, he’s a much more NFL prepared and better option than Heath.

As far as more “possession” Receivers. We now have Golden, Doubs and Wicks who can play that role, with Watson in the shadows poised to return. Too much overlap to keep Heath. I’d stash Bo on PS and he’ll likely Elevate with any injury to that group.

I like Malik but he way outside looking in. I’d keep MeCole before Bo and Bo before Malik. MeCole just scored big time bonus points so far also.

Again nothing personal with Heath. In an average season, he’s a good WR to hope to develop. In 2025 the training wheels need to come off, this isn’t a rebuild season anymore.

What has Hardman done to earn "big time bonus points"?

I'll be surprised if he's on the 53,

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think this is what separates MH and helps him actually make it on the roster. Nixon has stated he has no desire to do returns anymore, and with the depth of our DB room, that may not actually be a bad idea.

Nixon might be more interested returning kickoffs now that they've moved the LOS to the 35 on touchbacks. There should be a lot more returns this year across the NFL.

Melton had one decent year and did very little last year. If he can play some snaps at CB, he might make the 53.

Hardman had a little over 200 yards receiving in each of his two years at KC. That's underwhelming on a team without a solid WR group. If Nixon does take kickoff returns, that leaves Hardman for punt returns, and that's about it. IMO he has the worst odds of making the 53.

As for Heath, well if Hardman and Melton are cut, he probably is on the 53, at least until Watson returns.

It will be an interesting TC and PS for these guys.

 

[OldSchool101]

Mecole has done nothing really over his last two seasons that Malik Heath hasn't done as a WR...their statlines are crazy similar for 2024 and 2023 combined:

38 Targets / 214 Yards / 27 Receptions / 7.9 Yds/R / 3 Drops
37 Targets / 222 Yards / 25 Receptions / 8.9 Yds/R / 2 Drops

This is not correct. Might want to relook at that.

Mecole had 353 All purpose yards and 2 TD’s across the 2023-2024. That after wasting time on a dysfunctional Jets team for part of a season and then KC spending a draft pick to get him back. You excluded him contributions Running and Playoffs and that’s 100% part of a WRs role. Thats 8.83 yards per touch for Mecole including anything not related to Teams.

Mecole played in exactly 28 contests across 2023-2024 as a WR. His playoffs he posted 5/7 for 62 yards and the Super Bowl Winning TD IN January 2024, not 5 years ago college ball. No body cares what these guys did 3-5 years ago in college. This is a what have you done for me lately league. Ask Isaiah Simmons he’s a college hero, but you’ve got to perform at this level and consistently or you’ll get run out of the league.

Malik played in exactly 27 contests so almost identical to Mecole as a pure WR. His postseason numbers?
0/4 0 yards. Malik probably wouldn’t make 30 NFL Rosters as a WR6. He’s PS level until he proves otherwise. He also has absolutely zero Teams value. He had 3 Tackles across 2 seasons and 130 Teams snaps. That very forgettable imo.
I wish him the best, I have nothing against him personally, but he’s proven very little to earn a Roster spot

Bo would be acceptable he’s a tick above Heath so far. He has a remote chance at playing on Teams or in the Secondary which also gives him a very slight edge. Unless a miracle happens Malik is gone imo. Coin flip he makes PS. These guys fate was sealed when we spent 2 High draft picks at WR. Nobody past WR5 is safe. There like 6 players fighting for 1 spot and Watson is one of them.

 

[Pkrjones]

Nixon stated he didn't want to handle kickoffs after fumbling the opener against Philly in the playoffs... he's now onboard, again, to handling kickoffs.

Reed had the majority of punt returns in '23 & '24... and was a safe receiver but didn't provide any sparks. GB is definitely looking for an upgrade. OTA's showed Reed, Hardman, & Golden fielding punts. I'm hopeful that Golden provides safe AND productive punt returns, otherwise it'll be Hardman's job to lose.