Where does your squad stand ahead of the 2024 NFL season? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the new faces to know, one significant fantasy spin and the stakes at play in the campaign to come.
Members of the Packers organization, Packers fans around the world and those of you who have been gloating and shouting, "We did it again!" ...
You have to admire Green Bay. The Packers have a QB formula akin to a successful movie franchise, like the 007 flicks. You can have a debate about whether Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan is the best James Bond of all time, but it doesn't really matter because they were all quite good in the role. The only difference in this Packers analogy? The bad guys (49ers) win. Just kidding. I'm a Bears fan, so I'm lashing out. Point is, the Packers have enjoyed 30-plus years of winning because they know what they are doing at the game's most important position. And it looks like they do indeed have their new franchise cornerstone in Jordan Love. What can the quarterback and his teammates do this season? Let's take a look.
2024 brain trust
| POSITION | NAME |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Matt LaFleur |
| General manager | Brian Gutekunst |
| Offensive coordinator | Adam Stenavich |
| Defensive coordinator | Jeff Hafley |
| Special teams coordinator | Rich Bisaccia |
Roster reshuffling
Below is a rundown of the Packers' most notable roster developments for the 2024 season, including this year's draft class, as well as key acquisitions and departures via free agency and trade.
| Draft class (round-pick) | Key additions | Key departures |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona (1-25) | Josh Jacobs, RB | Aaron Jones, RB |
| Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M (2-45) | Andre Dillard, OT | Josiah Deguara, TE |
| Javon Bullard, S, Georgia (2-58) | Xavier McKinney, S | David Bakhtiari, OT |
| MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC (3-88) | Greg Joseph, K | Yosh Nijman, OT |
| Ty'Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri (3-91) | Jon Runyan, OG | |
| Evan Williams, S, Oregon (4-111) | De'Vondre Campbell, LB | |
| Jacob Monk, C, Duke (5-163) | Jonathan Owens, S | |
| Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State (5-169) | Rudy Ford, S | |
| Travis Glover, OT, Georgia State (6-202) | Darnell Savage, S | |
| Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane (7-245) | ||
| Kalen King, CB, Penn State (7-255) |
New faces to know
This signing was kind of a stunner to me. That said, as beloved as Aaron Jones was in Green Bay -- and he might have been the most annoying Packers player to opposing fans (like me) because he always made huge plays -- his availability was kind of an issue at times, including last season. The Packers brought in Jacobs to be that bruising back who can help put away games, and they released Jones. Jacobs has piled up 5,545 rushing yards and 46 rushing touchdowns since being drafted in 2019 (ranking second in the league in both categories over that span). He leads the NFL with 2,791 rushing yards between the tackles since 2019, per Next Gen Stats.
I feel like former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry might have been the most unpopular person in Green Bay since Mike Ditka. The Pack defense has what, like, 30 first-round draft picks on the depth chart? And yet, the unit never really seemed to consistently play to its potential. Hafley left his gig as head coach at Boston College to succeed Barry as DC.
The Packers were more aggressive in free agency than we’re used to seeing, landing Jacobs and signing McKinney to a four-year, $67 million deal. The former second-round pick spent the last four seasons with the Giants and had the highest PFF coverage grade (91.2) among all safeties in 2023.
State of the QB
Jordan Love threw for 4,159 yards (seventh in the NFL) and 32 touchdowns (second) last season, his first as a full-time starter. He finished strong down the stretch, as the Packers won six of their final eight regular-season games to make the playoffs. Love was fantastic against the Cowboys in the postseason -- and don't call it an upset because I predicted the Packers victory in that one. Love even had more passing yards and passing TDs in Year 1 as the Packers' starter than Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers produced during their respective debut campaigns as Green Bay's QB1. It's fair to say the Pack just might have made the right call at quarterback once again. But it's also fair to point out that Love threw seven of his 13 interceptions (including the playoffs) in the fourth quarter. He had the second-most fourth-quarter interceptions in 2023, behind only Sam Howell. Love's completion percentage was nearly 15 points higher in quarters 1-3 (68.6) than it was in the fourth quarter (54.1). And do we have to talk about how the season ended for Green Bay? It will be interesting to see how Love progresses in his fifth NFL campaign.
Most important non-QB
The Packers allowed 20.6 points per game last season, ranking 10th in the league. They were 8-2 when they allowed 22 points or fewer. They were 1-6 when they allowed more than 22 points. Alexander is one of the top corners in the league, but he missed 10 games last season (nine due to injury, one due to suspension) and failed to record at least one interception for the first time in his career. The Packers have surrounded Alexander with former first-round picks and free agents who didn’t come cheap. They fired scapegoat Joe Barry. The excuses are gone for this side of the football.
My HOTTEST Packers fantasy take:
Dontayvion Wicks is the Packers receiver to target in fantasy drafts.
People love Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. They are good players, no doubt. But I'd rather wait and take Wicks. I've seen a lot of Packers receivers over the years, and Wicks has the special something that guys like Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones had back in the day.
2024 roadmap
Three key dates:
- Week 1 (Friday): vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Brazil). The Packers are going to São Paulo to start the season against the Eagles. It will be a great test against one of the best teams in the NFC, and it will be interesting to see if the early-season travel causes any fatigue.
- Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions. Before a bye in Week 10, the Packers will host the Lions, the team that won the NFC North last season.
- Week 18: vs. Chicago Bears. This game could have huge playoff implications for both squads.
For 2024 to be a success, the Packers MUST:
A) Win the Super Bowl
B) Make a playoff run
C) Earn a playoff berth
D) Finish above .500
E) Show progress
My answer: A) Win the Super Bowl. But only because finally beating the 49ers in the postseason wasn't an option. Oh, I kid you, Packers fans. But let's be honest: Green Bay is built for more than a playoff run. Winning the Super Bowl has to be the only goal for this team. Heck, you're Titletown, not We Beat the Bears Town. Although listening to some of your fans talk, beating Chicago does seem like the only thing that matters to you. Maybe aim higher.
