There are surprises every year in the NFL and the Green Bay Packers are no exception. There are players who start the season with low expectations and finish with a stronger season than fans and coaches expected. These players are going to have breakout seasons or will have better years than projected. Here is a look at five Packers players who will exceed expectations in 2024:
Packers Players Who Will Exceed Expectations in 2024, Number Five: DL Lukas Van Ness
Lukas Van Ness looks to take a step forward in his second NFL season. The Packers planned to bring the former Iowa star along slowly, much like they did to former first-round pick Rashan Gary after taking him in 2019.
There are several things working in Van Ness’ favor this season. First, the Packers have switched to a four-man front under Jeff Hafley. That means Van Ness is playing defensive end instead of outside linebacker. He played a lot of defensive line in college, so he is accustomed to starting plays with his hand on the ground.
The defense is also more aggressive and will seek to blitz and put more pressure on the quarterback which should benefit “Hercules.” Finally, the injury to Kingsley Enagbare may give Van Ness a chance to get more reps. Enagbare isn’t out of the lineup, but he’s playing with a partially torn ACL which could limit his snaps at times this season.
These factors will give Van Ness a chance to take a step forward this season.
Number Four: CB Eric Stokes
Eric Stokes played only 12 games over the last two seasons due to an assortment of injuries. The Packers sent the former Georgia star to a hamstring specialist in Madison during the offseason to try to prevent future injuries.
Throughout training camp, Stokes has looked good and remained healthy. He has outstanding speed which can help him catch up to receivers if they get an early jump on him.
Stokes needs to improve his ability to break on the ball in the air and hold on to potential interceptions. If he can do that and stay healthy, he could easily return to the form he showed during his strong rookie campaign in 2021 or even exceed it.
Packers Players Who Will Exceed Expectations in 2024, Number Three: OT Rasheed Walker
Rasheed Walker enters his third NFL season and his second as the team’s starting left tackle. The Penn State alum made major strides last season. Early in the season, he struggled with stunts and double moves to the inside. By the second half of the year, he was blocking some of the best edge rushers in the game and doing a strong job of protecting Jordan Love.
Entering training camp, Walker was expected to have to compete for the starting left tackle spot, possibly with Jordan Morgan. That battle never materialized as Walker established himself as the clear- cut starter at the position.
Walker looks poised to have a strong season and take a big step forward in 2024.
Number Two: DE Rashan Gary
Like Van Ness, Gary played defensive line in college. That means he’s accustomed to playing the defensive line and starting plays with his hand on the ground.
Gary is also fully healed from the knee injury he suffered midway through the 2022 season which caused him to miss the final eight games.
In recent seasons, Gary had been one of the league’s top edge rushers at pass win rate. He has yet to record a 10-sack season or make a Pro Bowl. This is the year he breaks through. Look for Gary to set a new career-best in sacks and to make the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
Packers Players Who Will Exceed Expectations in 2024, Number One: WR Jayden Reed
The Packers may not have one standout at wide receiver, but they have four quality players at the position who can really do some damage to opposing secondaries.
Jayden Reed may be the receiver getting the least amount of attention among the top four. He quietly led the Packers with 64 catches for 793 yards and tied for the team lead with eight touchdown catches.
The Michigan State product accomplished all this despite missing a game and only playing 56 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in the games he played.
Reed served as the team’s primary slot receiver last season but can also play on the perimeter. Look for him to exceed expectations in year two as he takes a step forward after a strong rookie campaign.
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