Who will lead the Green Bay Packers in scoring this season? The team had three different players lead the team in scoring over the last four seasons but only one of those three is still with the team. In 2019, running back Aaron Jones scored 19 total touchdowns and had 114 points to lead the team. In 2020, wide receiver Davante Adams had 18 touchdowns on the season and led the Packers with 108 points. In 2021 and 2022, kicker Mason Crosby led the team with 124 points in 2021 and 112 more in 2022. Last year, Crosby had more than double the number of points of the next highest player on the team. So who will be the Packers scoring leader this season?
This year’s offense has a lot more unknown factors because of the change at quarterback from Aaron Rodgers to Jordan Love.
So, who is most likely to lead the Packers in points in 2023? With an offense featuring inexperienced players at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, and kicker, this is more wide-open than it has been in recent seasons.
Here is a look at the top five candidates to lead the Packers in points in 2023. Rankings are based on the players’ history, their projected roles on the team this season and their health status and injury history.
Packers Scoring Leader Candidate 5: TE Luke Musgrave
Tight ends are traditionally a big factor in the offense Matt LaFleur wants to run and Musgrave is the favorite to take over from Robert Tonyan as the team’s top receiving tight end. The switch from Rodgers to Love should lead to more passes over the middle of the field and that should make tight ends more involved in the red zone offense.
Packers tight ends combined for just four touchdown catches last season with Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis each catching a pair. But as recently as 2020, Tonyan had 11 touchdown catches.
Matt LaFleur likes to scheme open his tight ends and Musgrave has outstanding size and speed. But many rookie tight ends take time to adjust to the NFL. It it remains to be seen how ready Musgrave will be to contribute a lot in the red zone. If he catches on quickly, he could be a dangerous red zone weapon this season.
Candidate 4: RB A.J. Dillon
Dillon tied for second on the Packers last season with seven touchdowns. Although he got off to a slow start, the former Boston College star finished the season with 770 rushing yards. Many experts consider Dillon one of the best number two backs in the NFL.
The size of Dillon’s quads and his 6’0”, 247-pound frame make him difficult to bring down one-on-one. The Packers may run the ball more frequently in the red zone this year with Love under center. If they do, Dillon should be one of the main beneficiaries. He’s also a capable pass receiver and caught two touchdown passes in 2021.
Expect Dillon’s touchdown total to go up in 2023. The fact that he’s in his contract year will only give him extra motivation to have a big season this fall.
Packers Scoring Leader Candidate 3: WR Christian Watson
Watson was second on the Packers in scoring in 2022, catching seven touchdown passes and running for two more. When you consider he didn’t really have much production before Week 10, his numbers are even more impressive.
There is no doubt Watson has the raw ability to be a dominant player in this league. At 6’5” and with elite speed, he creates matchup issues for most defenders who can’t keep up with him and or cover him.
How will he fare in his second NFL season? If he stays healthy and makes a second-year jump, he could lead the Packers in touchdowns. His ability to score on end arounds and jet sweeps can add to his touchdown total. Watson is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. He could develop into a Pro Bowl player if he continues to work hard, and the offense develops well.
Candidate 2: RB Aaron Jones
Jones remains the Packers top running back and he has the speed to break a long gain whenever he touches the football. Jones has a great work ethic and with Rodgers in New York, he may become the most trusted offensive player on the roster.
The former UTEP star had a career-high 19 touchdowns in 2019 and led the team in scoring that year. He was also second on the team last season with 59 catches and five of his seven touchdowns came on passing plays.
If the Packers run zone defense improves this season, Jones could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He can score from in close or break a long touchdown as he has seven touchdowns of 25-or-more yards in his career.
Packers Scoring Leader Candidate 1: K Anders Carlson
Kickers typically lead NFL teams in scoring but for the first time since 2006, Mason Crosby won’t be the Packers kicker so there is more uncertainty than usual at the position in Green Bay.
GM Brian Gutekunst drafted Anders Carlson in the sixth round this year with the 207th overall pick. The Auburn alum has a strong arm but needs to be more consistent with his accuracy. He is recovering from an injury which hampered him last season and caused him to kick with a brace on.
Carlson will also need to master kicking at Lambeau Field when the weather gets cold and the wind whips around the stadium. That is something that Crosby exceled at during his long tenure with the team.
Right now, Carlson is the only kicker in training camp for the Pack. If he wins the kicking job and holds on to it all season, he should be the favorite to lead the Packers in scoring in 2023.
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