Green Bay Packers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Packers RB coach Ben Sirmans gave his assessment of A.J. Dillon’s 2022 season. Dillion wasn’t anything special efficiency-wise (4.1 yards per carry; 7.4 per catch) but tallied a career-high seven rushing TDs. "This wasn't the type of year and expectations that, not only he had for himself but from what I had for him and what others in this building had for him," Sirmans said. "I think that he's the type of person, at least from what he's shown me, that he's going to respond to that challenge and come out and have a much more productive year. And you saw a lot of great things in spurts, but that was just the problem, it was just in spurts. It wasn't consistent. And that's what our goal is.” Dillion’s 10.9 rushes per game could increase slightly, depending on the performance of Jordan Love. If Aaron Jones remains healthy, though, it’ll be tough to count on the fourth-year back as anything more than a low-end RB2/FLEX.

The Packers passed on picking up QB Jordan Love's fifth-year option and instead signed him to a 2-year deal. Love is getting $13.5 million guaranteed, and the contract can be worth up to $22.5 million total, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's a deal that says the Packers still aren't sure that Love is their long-term answer. That's fair, of course, considering Love has thrown just 83 regular-season passes. Green Bay bolstered Love's weaponry last week by drafting WRs Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks and TEs Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. But he still shouldn't be drafted as more than a lower-end QB2 in fantasy football.

The Packers selected South Dakota State TE Tucker Kraft in Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Kraft missed most of this past season following ankle surgery. In 2021, he tallied 65-773-6 in 15 games, showing the skill set of a future NFL starter. His fantasy outlook isn’t clear in Green Bay, though, as the Packers selected Luke Musgrave earlier in the night. Kraft is off the redraft radar.

Michigan State WR Jayden Reed went to the Packers in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Reed broke out immediately at Western Michigan, outproducing then-junior D’Wayne Eskridge as a true freshman. Reed also quickly carved out a role after transferring to Michigan State, earning 22% of targets or more in each of his three seasons with the Spartans. Reed played inside and outside at MSU and was terrific as a college punt returner (15.3 yards per return, 3 TDs). Senior Bowl week found him working almost exclusively in the slot, which will be Reed’s most likely path to NFL receiving success. (Read more about his development and fantasy outlook in his Dynasty Fantasy Football Value report.) In Green Bay, Reed figures to compete with Romeo Doubs for the No. 2 role behind Christian Watson. The rookie won’t be a priority target in redraft, but if Jordan Love hits, Reed could quickly climb the Dynasty WR Rankings.

The Packers selected Oregon State TE Luke Musgrave in Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft. Musgrave stands 6’6, 253 pounds with Mike Gesicki-like athleticism. The 22-year-old was likely on his way to a breakout 2022 before an early-season MCL tear. That wiped out his final college season, although he returned for the Senior Bowl. Musgrave is largely a bet on athletic traits, as he needs to improve both his hands and his YAC ability. He exits Oregon State with a 16.1% career drop rate and only two forced missed tackles on 47 catches. Prior to tonight, Green Bay featured a pair of uninspiring TEs in Josiah Deguara and Tyler Davis. So Musgrave should step into a day-one role alongside Jordan Love. Consider this a strong landing spot for Musgrave's dynasty value.

TE Luke Musgrave posted an elite Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.94 at the NFL Combine. At nearly 6’6 and 253 pounds, the Oregon State product turned heads with a 36.0” vertical, a 10’5” broad jump and a 4.61 forty-time. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport passed along more good news. Musgrave, who suffered a torn MCL early last season, received “full medical clearance” at the Combine. See where he stacks up among dynasty TEs.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said from the Combine on Tuesday that he'd "absolutely" be confident in QB Jordan Love as the team's Week 1 starter. That's the most likely scenario for Green Bay if QB Aaron Rodgers is traded. “I think he’s ready to play and I think he’s ready to be an NFL starting quarterback,” Gutekunst said of Love. “Not every quarterback comes into this league ready to go out there and play. I think he needed a little time, but over the last year and a half or so, we’ve seen that’s the next step in his progression. He needs to go out and play." Love has thrown just 83 regular-season passes since being drafted in 2020, including 21 last year. But he entered the league as an intriguing prospect with prototypical size, a big arm and plus athleticism. Love is worth considering as a QB3 in early best-ball drafts as we continue to monitor the Rodgers situation.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Packers and RB Aaron Jones have agreed to a restructured contract, shifting most of his 2023 money to a signing bonus. That keeps Jones with the teams "instead of being released," in Schefter's words. That's what makes this deal significant. Of course, staying in Green Bay will likely find Jones playing with a new QB (Jordan Love). What will moving on from Aaron Rodgers mean for the offense and Jones' production? That's nearly impossible for anyone to know at this point. Rodgers has been the starter since 2008, long before Jones arrived. The 2023 Packers figure to lean on their backfield quite a bit, though. Even with Rodgers still around in 2022, the offense dipped to 18th in neutral pass rate (according to RBSDM.com) from 11th in 2021. The shift from Rodgers to Love, however, could ding Jones' target count (Love will likely run more) and the team's TD efficiency. Fortunately, early best-ball drafts are discounting the Packers RB. He sits 20th at the position in Underdog ADP, going in Round 6 on average. Go ahead and get some shares of him at that price.

Packers RB Aaron Jones is set to count $20 million against the salary cap in 2023. But Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said he expects the veteran to return on a restructured deal. “Yeah, certainly, we expect to have him back,” Gutekunst recently told the media. “Obviously, he’s a dynamic player. It’s amazing. For a guy his size, to bring it every day, he rarely misses a practice, rarely misses a rep. The way he leads that football team, his consistency is amazing.” Indeed, Jones played all 17 games in 2023, setting career highs in rushing yards (1,121) and receptions (59). The 28-year-old’s fantasy ceiling will largely depend on whether Aaron Rodgers returns for another season.

Packers RB Aaron Jones (ankle, knee) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Lions. Jones looked healthier last week than he has in a while, ripping off 111 yards on 14 carries. There's no holding back in Sunday night's must-win game vs. the Lions, who rank 19th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA over the last 5 weeks.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) logged limited practice all week and doesn't carry an official injury designation ahead of Week 18 vs. the Lions. Battling through a hip injury, Watson managed just 1 catch on 5 targets and a 60% route rate last week. He has an awesome matchup on Sunday night vs. Detroit's 26th-ranked WR defense. It's a little tough to trust him in lineups considering the mixed bag of practice results this week. Consider the rookie a low-end WR2.

Packers RB Aaron Jones (ankle, knee) practiced in a limited capacity for the 2nd straight day. We'll see if this persistent injury prevents Jones from suiting up in Week 18 vs. the Lions. Be sure to check back again tomorrow once we have additional information.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) logged limited participation in practice again on Thursday. The rookie was able to beat this same ailment and suit up last week. We'll know more tomorrow about his status in anticipation of Week 18 vs. the Lions.

Packers RB Aaron Jones (knee, ankle) logged limited participation on Wednesday. Jones has been dealing with injury for weeks but has yet to miss a game this season. We'll watch out for any updates regarding his status for Week 18 vs. the Lions as the week unfolds.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) only managed to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday. The rookie managed to suit up last week despite this ailment, but we'll keep an eye on his status just in case. Check back for updates on Watson ahead of Week 18 vs. the Lions.

Packers RB Aaron Jones racked up 111 yards on 14 carries in Sunday's win over the Vikings, averaging 7.9 per rush. That marked a steep turn from most of his production since a Week 10 shin injury. Jones had been averaging just 4.0 per rush since then, compared with 5.6 per carry through Week 10. Jones added meager receiving production -- 2 catches, 2 yards on 3 targets -- and ceded rushing scores to RB AJ Dillon and QB Aaron Rodgers. Dillon checked in just 2 carries short of Jones (going 12-41-1 rushing). Week 18 will pit Jones and the offense against a Lions defense that has been up-and-down as a scoring matchup. He managed just 45 total yards on 9 carries and 2 catches in the 1st meeting.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) is active for today’s game vs. the Vikings. He got in just a limited practice on Friday and was reportedly a game-time decision, so it’s safe to assume that the rookie won’t be at 100%. Consider him a risk/reward WR3.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) "will test his injury pre-game to see if he can play vs. the Vikings," ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Watson only got in a limited practice on Friday this week and "didn’t take any live repetitions," according to Schefter. Watson will obviously carry elevated risk if he ends up giving it a go. We'll get Green Bay's inactives around 3 pm ET on Sunday.

Packers RB Aaron Jones (knee, ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation in advance of Week 17 vs. the Vikings. After logging limited practice all week, it seems fantasy managers will have the veteran back as an available option for championship week. Jones has been dealing with this ankle injury since Week 15 vs. the Rams. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports that Jones felt the team was going to sideline him in Week 15 had it not been for RB A.J. Dillon picking up a concussion. This is important to consider given that Jones only received 8 touches vs. the Dolphins last week. It's unclear how much the Packers will lean on Jones. As such, we consider both Jones and Dillon low-end RB2/flex options in Week 17.

Packers WR Christian Watson (hip) logged limited practice participation on Friday and is listed as questionable for Week 17's game vs. the Vikings. It's certainly encouraging to see the rookie get in some work after not practicing on Wednesday or Thursday. Still, it's tough to say fantasy managers should expect him to play. Watson would be in the WR3 conversation if he does suit up in a great spot against a Vikings defense that ranks as the best matchup for opposing WRs in adjusted fantasy points allowed this season. The "didn't practice all week before Friday" part is where we get hung up. Prepare to make other plans for your roster on Sunday.