The Packers as stated previously in the offensive line preview I did of the team, have had a very strong if not an elite QB room and coaching staff in the Jordan Love/Matt LaFleur era, but their shortcomings have been primarily linked to a subpar roster. As Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur head into year 4 together, the roster will need to be better in order for them to win a Super Bowl. Here I will go into detail assessing the skill position grouping of the Packers as the 2026 season approaches.
Starting at running back the team is led by standout Josh Jacobs who is among the premier halfbacks in the NFL today. Jacobs is a three-time Pro Bowler, a former first team All-Pro, and someone who has led the league in rushing yards before. Jacobs has graded as a top four overall running back in each of the past two seasons according to Pro Football Focus, while grading first in that department before and second in that department before. However, Jacobs has had some inconsistencies in his career, and because of those inconsistencies he is perhaps not the premier running back in the game although certainly one of them. Green Bay as of now lacks strong depth behind Jacobs at running back however although they have a few solid reserves. Chris Brooks has shown some flashes of strong play in limited time in the NFL, while 2024 3rd rounder Marshawn Lloyd has barely played in the NFL thus far although being drafted pretty highly for a running back.
At tight end the team has question marks, and the unit is led by 2023 3rd rounder Tucker Kraft who has looked strong in the NFL thus far and has consistently shown improvement as well. Kraft in his rookie year graded (24/46) in terms of an overall offense grade among his peers according to Pro Football Focus, then graded (20/45) in that department in year 2, while grading (8/47) in that department in year 3 in 2025, albeit in an injury shortened season. Kraft showed a borderline elite ceiling in 2025 after being just solid previously, it will be interesting to see how he looks going forward for the Packers. 2023 2nd rounder Luke Musgrave is the primary backup to Kraft in the unit as of now and he will be expected to improve as Musgrave has really disappointed in the NFL thus far, grading in the below average to the poor range with regularity. 2023 5th round third string tight end Josh Whyle has even looked better than Musgrave has so far and perhaps Whyle could leapfrog Musgrave on the depth chart.
At wide out the team has an interesting unit with many talented players that has the potential to be an elite unit in the NFL. 2022 2nd rounder Christian Watson was drafted pretty highly and has had his ups and downs in the NFL but showed a consistently elite ceiling for the first time last year. Watson in ten games last season was graded as a top ten overall wide out after grading in the middle of the pack the previous two seasons coming off a very strong rookie year the season prior. Watson has shown star potential but has not been able to consistently maintain it, perhaps he can find that consistency as he perhaps stays healthier next season as he has really struggled with his health thus far in his career.
2023 2nd rounder Jayden Reed is currently listed as the team’s #2 wide out and has shown some promise in the NFL. Reed has graded in the above average range among players at his position in two of three seasons in the NFL and exactly average the other time. Reed however has only graded in the above average but not the well above average range and feels like a pretty run of the mill #2 wide out as of now. The Packers have some very talented players on the depth chart behind Reed and perhaps Reed can step into a WR3 or WR4 role as the season progresses.
Speaking of the remaining talent in the Green Bay wide receiver core, the likes of 2025 rookies in Matthew Golden and Savion Williams highlight it. Golden was drafted in the first round before the 2025 season and looked decent but not special as a rookie, if Golden can live up to his draft potential and still his respectable rookie season, he could climb the Green Bay depth chart. Something similar can be said for 2025 3rd rounder Savion Williams who also had a respectable rookie season in very limited snaps. 2022 2nd rounder Skyy Moore has disappointed in the NFL thus far although being drafted very highly and having a strong rookie season. Moore has fallen off since his very strong rookie season, but perhaps he can recapture his mojo, build off his rookie season and live up to his high draft billing. As much of Moore’s struggles have been due to health concerns. While wide out Bo Melton has shown flashes of elite play in the NFL although struggling in totality and could provide more depth to the Green Bay wide receiver core.
Overall, the Packers have a lot of talent but a lot of concerns from a skill position player standpoint heading into 2026. Josh Jacobs is one of the premier running backs in the NFL, but the team lacks strong depth behind him as of now although having a few promising players. Tight end Luke Musgrave started to show star potential during the 2025 season but has not been able to consistently maintain it. While the Green Bay wide out room has several very talented players and is one of the deepest in the sport although I question the high-end talent they have. As although Christian Watson has shown an elite ceiling, he has struggled with his health and his consistency thus far in the NFL. The Green Bay skill position grouping has a chance to be elite if young/inconsistent players come into their own and if the team can stay healthy in key spots and/or have some reserves step up to the plate and play well. A breakdown of the skill position grouping of the Packers heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
Notable 2026 Packers’ Running Backs
HB – Josh Jacobs – A to A-
HB – Chris Brooks – C to C+
HB – MarShawn Lloyd – 2024 3rd rounder, hardly played so far in NFL
Notable 2026 Packers’ Tight Ends
TE – Tucker Kraft – B to B+, has consistently improved and shown borderline elite ceiling, has not been able to maintain that ceiling however
TE – Luke Musgrave – C to C-, 2023 2nd rounder, has disappointed in the NFL so far as such a high draft pick, could still come into own
TE – Josh Whyle – C to C+
Notable 2026 Packers Wide Receivers
WR – Christian Watson – B+ to A-
WR – Jayden Reed – B to B-
WR – Matthew Golden – 2025 1st rounder, C as rookie
WR – Savion Williams – 2025 3rd rounder, C as rookie
WR – Bo Melton – C+ to B-, has shown an electric ceiling
WR – Skyy Moore – C+, 2022 2nd rounder, very strong rookie season, has struggled since, perhaps due to health, could now bounce back
