Will the new era for the Green Bay Packers get off to a hot start or go down in flames? Bold predictions for the Packers in the 2023 season.
Change is a terrifying proposition. But for the Green Bay Packers, it’s the reality of the situation coming into the 2023 NFL season. The most important thing for fans to remember, however, is that change is also not always a bad thing. In fact, it can also be quite good in the right spots.
And though the Packers are shrouded in uncertainty at several spots after the departure of Aaron Rodgers, there is reason to believe that things, indeed, can be quite good in Green Bay this season. Much of that, without a shred of a question, hinges on the performance of Jordan Love. Yet all of the preseason talk from the team and reporters has seemed to indicate that he’s ready.
So what is the year going to look like? We’re still roughly two months out from the start of the season, but it feels like the proper time to get a bit frisky and make some bold predictions for the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 season.
Packers bold prediction No. 3: Jayden Reed leads Green Bay in receptions, yards
While the Packers didn’t change their stripes in the NFL Draft by selecting a skill position player in the first round, they made up for it on Day 2 with the selections of Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed, Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave and South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft.
Point blank, I’m high on all of these players. Moreover, it’s hard not to like the idea of the front office setting Love up for the best chance of success by getting more capable weapons on the roster.
Jayden Reed, however, is the one I’m most excited about.
The leading returning receiver from last season with the Packers is Christian Watson, who had just 41 catches for 611 yards. Yes, there is reason to believe in a year two breakout. But between Watson and Romeo Doubs, arguably the only semi-proven pass-catchers returning this season, there isn’t a guy who can work the short and intermediate areas consistently. That’s where Reed thrives.
Here’s what NFL Draft expert Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network said about Reed:
"In the NFL, Reed’s skill set will allow him to fill multiple roles early in his career while he continues to work on the details of his game as he attempts to work his way to being the first or second option of an offense."
Though he does need to work on limiting drops, his combination of speed, footwork and quickness should allow him to find space quite literally all over the field. That will make him a safety valve combined with a big-play threat for Love. As a result, I can see Reed actually bursting onto the scene and leading the team in receiving, perhaps notching a 1,000-yard campaign right out of the gate.