The Green Bay Packers, who entered the season with the youngest and least experienced roster in football, have predictably leaned heavily on rookies to start 2023.
Per Steve Palazzolo of PFF, the Packers rank fifth in the NFL in snaps played by non-quarterback rookies entering Week 7 of the season, and it’s worth noting the Packers have only played five games because of the Week 6 bye.
The Packers entered the season with 17 rookies or first-year players.
Among the rookies playing important snaps for Matt LaFleur’s team:
TE Luke Musgrave: 211
WR Jayden Reed: 179
WR Dontayvion Wicks: 160
DL Karl Brooks: 130
OLB Lukas Van Ness: 128
DL Colby Wooden: 117
CB Carrington Valentine: 80
TE Tucker Kraft: 61
WR Malik Heath: 50
K Anders Carlson: 41
Many rookies (but especially Kraft, Valentine and Musgrave) have also played snaps on special teams.
Musgrave trails only Sam LaPorta in snaps played and targets by rookie tight ends. Reed and Wicks are 10th and 12th in routes run by rookie receivers, respectively. Brooks and Wooden rank seventh and eighth in snaps played by rookie defensive linemen, respectively. Van Ness is seventh among rookie edge rushers.
The Packers knew they were going young at many positions, especially on offense, and understood growing pains would be a part of the learning process. That’s exactly how the first six weeks have played out. Now, the Packers are exiting the bye and looking to rebound after a 2-3 start. The hope in Green Bay is that the rookies continue getting more comfortable and executing at a higher level as the season progresses, but it’s tough to be consistent when so many first-year players are on the field in important roles.