Every NFL season there are players that exceed expectations or improve their game and players who have disappointing years. It could be due to injuries, coaching, a slump, the system the players are in, or a combination of other factors. The Green Bay Packers hope these players will bounce back and improve in 2024 to help the team take the next step forward.

Here is a look at five players the Packers need to perform better in 2024 than they did in 2023:

Fifth Player the Packers Need to Have a Bounce Back Season: C Josh Myers

Josh Myers stayed healthy for the second straight season, but the Ohio State star has yet to realize his potential as a second-round pick.

Myers didn’t grade out particularly well at run blocking or pass blocking according to Pro Football Focus. There are times when he is serviceable but when he misses, he often misses in spectacular fashion. He will need to get functionally stronger and improve his blocking technique.

The good news is that Myers played better in the second half of the season than the first, but even then, he was merely average.

As of now, Myers is the type of player teams are always trying to upgrade from. He needs to live up to expectations and have a breakout campaign in 2024 which will be the final year of his rookie contract.

Fourth Player: CB Eric Stokes

Eric Stokes faces two issues to have a bounce back season. The first and most obvious is staying healthy. The former Georgia star suffered serious injuries to his knee and foot in 2022 which ended his season after nine games.

In 2023, Stokes started the season on the PUP list. When he finally returned, he reinjured himself twice and appeared in only three games all season.

The second issue facing Stokes is getting back to his rookie form. In 2021, the former first round pick was strong in coverage, breaking up 14 passes. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 49.5 percent of their passes throwing to receivers covered by Stokes and had a quarterback rating of just 71.3.

In 2022, he struggled mightily in coverage, allowing an 80 percent completion rate and a quarterback rating of 123. In limited action last season, the numbers were a 75 percent completion rating and a 145.3 passer rating.

Stokes needs to stay healthy in 2024 and get back to his previous form. He also needs to get his confidence back and improve at tracking the football in the air.

This is the final year of his rookie contract, so Stokes has plenty at stake in 2024.

Third Player the Packers Need to Have a Bounce Back Season: WR Christian Watson

Christian Watson’s biggest issue remains staying healthy. Hamstring injuries limited him to nine games in 2023 and he was on a play count for many of those games.

Watson has all the tools to be an elite NFL receiver. He stands 6’4” and weighs 208 pounds. He also possesses breakaway speed.

When he’s been healthy, Watson proved he can be a difference maker on the field. When he gets the ball, he’s a threat to make a big play. His mere presence in the lineup can also help open things up for other receivers as defenses feel the need to account for Watson.

There are still some things the former North Dakota State star needs to improve upon. He needs more consistency in his hands and to run more precise pass patterns. But the biggest key to Watson’s bounce back season in 2024 is availability.

Second Player: K Anders Carlson

Kicker Anders Carlson struggled through his first NFL season in 2023. The Auburn alum made a respectable 81.8 percent of his field goal tries. His biggest struggles were between 40 and 49 yards where he made just 4-of-8 tries.

He truly struggled on extra points, missing five of them during the regular season. He also missed an extra point and a key field goal in the Packers two playoff games.

Nobody doubts Carlson’s leg strength, but his consistency needs to improve for him to establish himself as a legitimate NFL kicker. If he doesn’t, he could easily find himself out of a job even before the 2024 season starts.

First Player the Packers Need to Have a Bounce Back Season: CB Jaire Alexander

When he’s healthy, Jaire Alexander remains an elite NFL cornerback. The Louisville alum has already earned Pro Bowl honors twice. He can also shut down top NFL receivers when he’s playing his best football.

But injuries limited Alexander to seven games in 2023 and when he was on the field, both his pass coverage and tackling skills suffered.

Alexander intercepted five passes in 2022 but didn’t pick off any last season. Opposing quarterbacks also completed 66.7 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by Alexander and had a quarterback rating of 113.4. Both marks were the worst of Alexander’s career.

In addition, the Packers suspended Alexander for one game for conduct detrimental to the team after a bizarre incident at the opening coin flip in Carolina.

Alexander remains the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. The Packers need him to stay healthy, return to form and be a good teammate. He has proven himself capable of all of those things in the past but needs to do them again in 2024.

 

 

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

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