Green Bay's playoff contention in Jordan Love's first season as the full-time starter has been significantly fueled by a young collection of playmakers growing up quickly between the lines.

The Packers' pass catchers, in particular, have dazzled as big-play specialists. Jayden Reed (Round 2, No. 50), Dontayvion Wicks (Round 5, No. 159), Malik Heath (undrafted), Luke Musgrave (Round 2, No. 42) and Tucker Kraft (Round 3, No. 78) have taken turns snagging passes from a QB1 committed to playing the game like a pass-first point guard willing to hit the open man. Though the Packers lack a 1,000-yard receiver, the balanced distribution has made the offense more challenging to defend, with the rookies occupying interchangeable roles on the perimeter. As Love develops chemistry with his young weapons, Green Bay's aerial attack shows promise as an explosive outfit.


Defensively, Lukas Van Ness (Round 1, No. 13) made his mark as a situational pass rusher in the rotation. Registering three sacks and nine quarterback hits in a part-time role, Van Ness' positive production suggests he could develop into an impact player with more snaps. With unheralded draftees like DL Colby Wooden (Round 4, No. 116), DL Karl Brooks (Round 6, No. 179), CB Carrington Valentine (Round 7, No. 232) and S Anthony Johnson Jr. (Round 7, No. 242) pitching in as part-time starters/key reserves, the Packers' developmental plan has keyed a surprising resurgence that has the team on the verge of a postseason berth.

https://www.nfl.com/news/ranking-the-top-five-rookie-classes-of-the-2023-nfl-season-lions-edge-out-texans