
After finishing the 2023 season strong, the Green Bay Packers aim to maintain that momentum as they head into the 2024 campaign. They kick off the season against the Philadelphia Eagles in São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, September 7, in what promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams that made the playoffs in 2023.
The Packers will look to build on a solid debut season from quarterback Jordan Love and enter 2024 as the league’s youngest team, both in terms of average lineup age and overall roster age. With such a youthful squad, competition for starting positions is fierce. Here are two Packers starters who risk losing their spots ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
**Christian Watson (WR)**
After a strong rookie year where he led the Packers with seven receiving touchdowns, Christian Watson’s progress stalled in 2023. Injuries limited the former second-round pick to nine games, but he maintained consistency in yards per game and scored five touchdowns. His snap percentage also improved significantly, from 56% to 77%.
The 2024 season is pivotal for Watson as he tries to establish himself as Jordan Love’s primary target. However, his absence allowed other receivers to step up. Rookie Jayden Reed led the team with 793 receiving yards, while Romeo Doubs topped the target chart with 96. Reed also made a significant impact with 10 plays of 30-plus yards, a team-high. Both Reed and Doubs had over 200 receiving yards in Green Bay’s two playoff games.
Other wideouts like Dontayvion Wicks, who recorded 581 yards and five touchdowns, and Bo Melton, with 211 yards in the final three games, have also emerged as reliable options. With so much depth, Watson could slip down the depth chart if he doesn’t perform well early in the 2024 season.
**Quay Walker (LB)**
Quay Walker, who has racked up 239 combined tackles over his first two NFL seasons, has not yet lived up to his athletic potential. Despite his physical gifts, Walker often struggles with play recognition and positioning. His Pro Football Focus grades improved from 52.0 in 2022 to 60.0 in 2023, but his performance is still below expectations.
A new defensive coordinator in Green Bay offers Walker a chance to reset, but he remains in a precarious position. He faces competition from rookies Ty’Ron Hopper and Edgerin Cooper, who impressed in the preseason. If Walker doesn’t continue to improve in his third year, he might find himself relegated to the second string.
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