In the 12th of a 32-part series, we will feature all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Today we will look at the Green Bay Packers.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
One of the biggest changes to the Green Bay Packers in the offseason is the fact that they said goodbye to wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. As a result, the Packers were very busy in trying to find strong receivers for Aaron Rodgers to throw the football to with the loss of their premier wideout. They decided to come to terms with former Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills wideout Sammy Watkins on a one-year deal worth $4 million. Watkins had 27 catches for 394 yards and one touchdown in 2022, as he seemed to be lost in the shuffle of a Baltimore Ravens offense.
On defense, the Packers also acquired another former Chiefs player in Jarran Reed, to a one-year deal worth $3.25 million. Reed had 43 tackles last year and had 12 quarterback hits, one pass deflection, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery for 10 yards and 2.5 sacks in Kansas City last year.
Fantasy Stars
Aaron Rodgers of Chico, California, the NFL MVP the last two years, is currently the 10th best quarterback in fantasy. There is no doubt there is a drop to his fantasy stock with the loss of Adams at wide receiver.
On defense, the Packers are currently ranked ninth. They have an advantage of playing in a cold environment in wintery conditions.
Prediction
Yes, the Packers may not be as strong this year as last year, but have they dropped enough that they are no longer the favourite in the NFC North? The answer is no. The Packers are still better on defense than their biggest divisional rival at the moment, the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay gave up 55 fewer points than Minnesota last year, and are better than Minnesota when they do not have the football.
