Fifth in a 2024 Packers position grades series.

GREEN BAY − Grading the Green Bay Packers wide receivers for the 2024 season.

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A bona fide playmaker in the slot, followed impressive rookie season with almost identical sophomore year. Led team with 59 catches, 903 yards and 721 snaps, playing all 18 games.

Opened season with bang in Brazil , catching 70-yard pass on third-and-10 crossing route for touchdown. Added 33-yard touchdown on jet sweep, breaking Eagles linebacker Zack Baun’s tackle. Opened Week 3 against Tennessee with 30-yard catch from Malik Willis on shallow crossing route. Caught seven of eight targets for season-high 139 yards, including 42-yard grab against Minnesota safety Harrison Smith, in Jordan Love’s return from sprained MCL in Week 4. Set up game-winning field goal with 51-yard catch inside final 2 minutes at Jacksonville. Dynamic playmaker, had 397 yards after catch. Three runs of at least 20 yards. Finished with 20 carries for 163 yards and one touchdown, giving him 1,066 yards from scrimmage. Broke 10 tackles, adding five missed in 79 touches.

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Too easily taken out of big games. Six times had fewer than 30 yards from scrimmage. Shut out in Detroit, catching no passes on only one target. Had only catch on four targets for 6 yards in Minnesota.

At 5-foot-11, 187 pounds, pound for pound best blocker at position. Stymied Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed at goal line on Willis’ 5-yard touchdown run. Fluid transition to downfield block against Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones on Willis’ 20-yard run. Had key block on five runs of at least 10 yards. Allowed three tackles for loss, one run stuff.

Drew four defensive pass interference penalties for 76 yards, one defensive holding. Must develop more consistency with hands. Occasionally lazy with hands. Dropped 10 passes, matching total from rookie season. Most critical came on fourth-and-2 slant route in first half at Minnesota. Three fumbles, losing one. Carried football high and tight but with only one arm on jet sweep against Chicago, allowing cornerback Jaylon Johnson to punch it out.

Best grade among receivers for second straight season. Has best chance among this current group of developing into reliable, go-to target, but must become more consistent to reach full potential.

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Following two injury-riddled seasons, adjusted his training last offseason and entered 2024 hoping to prove his body could make it through entire year. Came close to pulling it off.

Blazing straight-line speed, remained best vertical threat in offense. Caught pass of at least 35 yards in six games, including three straight late in year. Of 29 catches, 12 gained at least 20 yards. Led offense with 21.4 yards per catch, one of only two in NFL to average more than 20 yards. Caught crossing route for 37 yards from Willis to convert third-and-18 against Titans. Cooked Cardinals safety Budda Baker in single coverage for 44-yard touchdown on post route. Diving catch and run for 60 yards set up game-winning touchdown late in fourth quarter at Chicago. Beat Dolphins cornerback Storm Duck and made diving catch for 46 yards. One week later, ran past Lions cornerback Carlton Davis for season-long 59-yard catch on go ball. Good body control spinning in air and getting both feet inbounds on 36-yard catch in Seattle. Dropped 49-yard touchdown behind 49ers secondary late in first half, one of only two drops. Showed strong hands over middle on 14-yard catch against tight coverage from Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting to convert fourth-and-1.

More of a straight-line runner, lacks quickness to be consistent threat on shorter routes after catch. Did not break a tackle on 33 touches, made only one miss. Had 169 yards after catch, an average of 5.8 yards per reception. Only four carries for 23 yards and no touchdowns, down from seven carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns in rookie season.

One fumble, losing ball after going airborne down sideline in Detroit. Uses 6-4, 208-pound size well as blocker. Allowed Emanuel Wilson to cut back on screen for 30-yard touchdown, engaging safety Amani Hooker near goal line. Sealed Duck inside on Reed screen for 12-yard touchdown against Miami. Led Josh Jacobs to end zone in Jacksonville with downfield block against Darnell Savage on 38-yard touchdown. Sold run block off snap before getting open for 2-yard touchdown on slant in opener against Eagles. Allowed one tackle for loss. One run stuff.

Drew two defensive pass interference penalties for 41 yards. One offensive pass interference on pick play erasing late touchdown against Detroit. One illegal shift.

A highlight reel, must refine route tree to become more consistently impactful. Never had more than four catches in a game all season. Tore ACL in regular-season finale against Chicago, an injury likely to affect start of 2025 season. Offense was mostly incapable of throwing downfield without him, showing importance he returns to full speed.

After breakout postseason in 2023, third NFL season took pause after reportedly choosing to not show up for practice in Week 5. Team never disputed disgruntlement over lack of targets. Suspended one game against Rams, but rebounded one week later with pair of touchdown catches against Cardinals. Made terrific adjustment to football on 20-yard touchdown, beating cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting to pass in air. Ran through tackle from cornerback Garrett Williams before goal line on 10-yard touchdown. Most impressive play he made after catch all season.

Station-to-station receiver, just 162 yards after catch. Averaged 3.3 yards after catch, fewest among primary targets. Broke four tackles with three missed. Occasionally showed remarkable hands. Great pluck over the shoulder down sideline for 29-yard catch against Jaguars cornerback De’Antre Prince. Scooped 22-yard touchdown off turf in back end zone against Seahawks.

Also needs to become more reliable catching football. Eleven drops were among league leaders, but only second in this offense. Too often lost focus finishing open reception. Finished with 48 catches on 74 targets for 614 yards and four touchdowns. Significant regression from 69 catches, 908 yards and nine touchdowns in 19 games last season.

Good route runner, drew four defensive pass interference penalties for team-high 88 yards. Uses strength well as blocker, opened three runs of at least 10 yards. Will face career crossroads in 2025.

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Drew comparisons to Davante Adams in breakout rookie season. As encore, biggest sophomore slump since Adams in 2015.

Natural ability to create separation downfield, leading to team-high 82 targets. Beat Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross on outside release for 30-yard touchdown. Adjusted off schedule after Saints covered Reed short out route near goal line, leaking open into end zone for 3-yard touchdown.

Ultimately, failed make most of superb route running. Just 41 catches (fourth on team) for 444 yards (fifth) and five touchdowns (third). Drew one defensive pass interference penalty for 24 yards. Plagued by drops with team-high 12. Dropped potential first down on third-and-13 slant against Vikings. Later dropped two potential touchdowns, one on third-and-goal and the other on fourth down. Dropped potential first down on third-and-3 slant against Lions. Later dropped potential touchdown against Lions on third-and-1 crossing route in end zone. Inconsistent hands appeared to reduce confidence. Lost some playmaking from last season, just 152 yards after catch. A 3.7-yard average that was almost 2 full yards fewer than rookie year (5.6).

Deserves credit for never letting struggles in passing game affect blocking. Great hustle block more than 40 yards downfield against Rams safety Quintin Lake allowed Tucker Kraft to reach sideline on 66-yard touchdown catch-and-run. Sealed Dolphins safety Jordan Poyer outside downfield on 12-yard touchdown screen for Reed. Made key block on three runs of at least 10 yards. Led way on 23-yard jet sweep for Reed, driving Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith more than 15 yards downfield on sideline. Also allowed five run stuffs and one tackle for loss.

Has talent for much higher grade, but like Adams will need significant bounce-back in third NFL season.

Opportunities were limited following breakout 2023 performance that saw him become first Packers receiver that season to post 100-yard game. Played all 18 weeks but never had 30 receiving yards. Held without target eight times. Finished with nine catches on 20 targets for 107 yards, no touchdowns.

Two drops. Slipped on out route causing Love to throw interception against Cardinals. Couldn’t grab touchdown pass in back end zone from Love in wild-card loss at Eagles.

Speed served as backup option behind Reed on jet sweeps, rushing eight times for 54 yards. Broke four tackles. Recovered Josh Jacobs fumble in opener against Eagles.

Holding penalty wiped out a 10-plus-yard run for MarShawn Lloyd. Played 283 snaps, adding 153 on special teams.

In second season after going undrafted in 2023, served as sixth receiver in predominantly four-man rotation. Capable playmaker with upside.

Good outside release and finish high-pointing 3-yard touchdown over 49ers cornerback Rock-Ya Sin on goal-line fade. Went to ground in end zone to catch 3-yard touchdown against Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore. A week later, soared in front of Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson to convert third-and-21 with 41-yard catch.

Finished with 10 catches on 17 targets for 97 yards, two touchdowns. No drops. Only played 190 snaps in 14 games, missing four as a healthy scratch.

Showed why he didn’t play more in playoff loss at Eagles. Cut in route at 15 yards instead of 20, bringing Baun into Love’s throwing window on second interception. Stumbled on out route near goal line in third quarter, preventing what would have been touchdown. Unnecessarily leaped for football on open fourth-and-3 pass, landing out of bounds for turnover on down. Too many unforced mistakes to get on the field more.