One factor that might help determine if the Green Bay Packers are Super Bowl worthy in 2024? Getting rebound seasons from a few of the roster’s elite-tier talents.
Cornerback Jaire Alexander, running back Josh Jacobs, left guard Elgton Jenkins, edge rusher Rashan Gary and receiver Christian Watson were all various levels of “good” during the 2023 season. They are all established players. At their best, they are elite players and obvious difference makers.
The Packers need more greatness out of a few of their great players in 2024.
Alexander missed 10 games due to injury and a bizarre suspension in 2023. Can he rebound to All-Pro status against a gauntlet of top receivers?
Jacobs averaged only 3.5 yards per attempt in 2023. Can he find the form that made him the NFL’s rushing champion just one year prior?
Jenkins was fine in pass protection, but he also committed six penalties and earned the lowest run-blocking grade of his career in 2023. Can he re-establish himself as one of the NFL’s most well-rounded and dominant interior blockers?
Gary came firing out of the gates and was highly disruptive during the first three months of last season, but he hit a wall at some point in December and wasn’t as effective to end 2023. Can he be a game-wrecker every week now that he’s another year clear of his ACL injury?
Watson tilts the field in the passing game, creates explosive plays and scores touchdowns just about every week he’s close to 100 percent healthy, but he missed eight more games in 2023. Can he finally put the lower-body injuries in the rear view mirror and establish himself as a legitimate No. 1 receiver over a full season for Jordan Love?
The Packers are not lacking in talent, especially on the high end of the spectrum. In ESPN’s top 10 positional rankings, the Packers had five players make the cut. On both sides of the football, Matt LaFleur’s team has difference-makers who can make the big plays to win games.
At his best, Alexander is a lockdown perimeter cornerback who can take away No. 1 receivers and take away the football from quarterbacks who dare test him.
At his best, Jacobs is a tackle-breaking machine who can run inside and out and create in the passing game while handling 20 or more touches per game.
At his best, Jenkins is a near-perfect pass protector who can pave roads in the run game whether he’s firing off the ball or on the move left or right in LaFleur’s run offense.
At his best, Gary is a fast, powerful and overwhelming edge rusher who can either get to the quarterback or help create disruption for others.
At his best, Watson is a vertical nightmare for defenses with the elite speed necessary to threaten any area of the field and the unique versatility to get the ball in many ways.
Can the Packers get more of the best from their elite talent in 2024?