Fantasy Football Player Notes

Josh Jacobs has been the RB8 and RB9 in fantasy points per game during his two seasons in Green Bay. he dealt with a knee injury last season, which impacted his snap share and effectiveness. Last year, after Week 6, he surpassed 60% of the snaps in only two games. I wouldn't be surprised to see Green Bay limit his playing time to an extent this year to keep him healthy all year, but that's just a projection. I also wouldn't be shocked to see them run him out there for 70-80% of the snaps weekly if his body can hold up. Last year, he ranked 22nd in explosive run rate and 19th in missed tackle rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Jacobs' touchdown equity in the Green Bay offense has helped him a ton over the last two seasons, as he has averaged 15 total touchdowns per season while ranking ninth and fifth in red zone touches. Jacobs is a top 20 back with RB1 upside in 2026.

Christian Watson got the bag this offseason and should be considered the clear WR1 for the Green Bay Packers. Watson deserved the pay day as a he proved that he can handle this role last year. Last season, in Weeks 8-18, he was the WR21 in fantasy points per game with an 18.2% target share, 61.1 receiving yards per game, 2.67 yards per route run, a 23.9% first-read share, and 0.122 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). His target share and first-read share should go up this season with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone and Watson likely getting promoted into a full-time role. Last year, he was also held back by a 68% route share (56th out of 109 qualifying receivers). The increase in usage and playing time should make his ultra-efficiency per route even more deadly in 2026. Last year, among those 109 qualifying receivers, Watson ranked fourth in yards per route run, tenth in first downs per route run, and sixth in fantasy points per route run. Watson is a strong WR2 with upside for more in 2026.

Tucker Kraft is coming back from an ACL tear and small meniscus tear that ended his 2025 season after eight games and torpedoed what was shaping up to be a monster season. After a breakout 2024 season in which he had 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns, Kraft was off to a torrid start last year, with 32 catches for 489 yards and six touchdowns before getting hurt against the Panthers in Week 9. Kraft was TE2 in fantasy scoring behind only Trey McBride when he went down. If Kraft is fully healthy, he could produce big numbers in 2026. The Packers have parted ways with WRs Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, and they didn't add any notable pass catchers in the offseason. Kraft averaged an astounding 2.33 yards per route run last season. He's a beast after the catch who's averaged 8.8 yards after catch per reception over his three-year career. Monitor the news on Kraft's recovery and be prepared to pounce if he comes with an injury discount in 2026 fantasy drafts.

Jayden Reed missed much of the 2025 season with a broken collarbone and surgery to repair a Jones fracture. Last year, we got only a five-game sample for Reed where he played at least 35% of the snaps. In those contests, Reed had a 21% target-per-route-run rate, 1.99 yards per route run, and 0.47 fantasy points per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Those are strong numbers, but the worry for Reed persists into 2026 about his inclusion in two wide receiver sets. Last year, Reed played 75% of his snaps from the slot, which is tough when Green Bay ranked 22nd in usage of 11 personnel (55.6%). That leaves Reed as a capped upside player who can only be counted on as a matchup-specific flex play. I fully expect Matthew Golden to start in two wide receiver sets, which will leave on the outside looking in for many weeks. Reed isn't on my draft board in 2026. If I need receiver help during bye weeks, I'll look for his name on waivers.

It's possible Jordan Love is simply a better real-life fantasy quarterback than fantasy quarterback. In 2025, Love ranked second among all quarterbacks in expected points added per dropback, third in defense-adjusted value over average, third in QBR and sixth in passer rating. And yet Love averaged only 16.1 fantasy points per game, which ranked QB19 among quarterbacks who made at least eight starts. Love finished QB5 in 2023, his first full season as an NFL starter, and hasn't finished in QB1 range since. It's partly because the Packers have been so run-heavy the last two seasons, finishing 31st in pass rate over expected in 2024, 22nd in 2025. Love hasn't offered much rushing production either, with 282 rushing yards and one TD run over the last two seasons. Love might be a top-10 quarterback in reality, but it's best to regard him as a high-end to midrange QB2 in 2026 fantasy drafts.

After all the hype for Matthew Golden last year, he was only a part-time player for Green Bay in his rookie season. He had only five games in which he surpassed a 60% snap share. When he was on the field, he had a 17% target-per-route-run rate, 1.46 yards per route run, and 0.065 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Among 109 qualifying receivers, he was 16th in separation and 67th in route win rate. The separation score is notable, but all of his other metrics and the fact that he had a quiet rookie season leave me unimpressed. Golden can take a step forward this season as the primary running mate with Christian Watson in two-receiver sets, and it can still be uninspiring. The Green Bay passing attack will still flow through Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft this season, with everyone else playing a role or a bit part, or at least that is how I'm projecting it. I'm avoiding Golden in drafts this season.

The Packers didn't win a game after losing edge rusher Micah Parsons last season. Until he returns, it's hard to be overly bullish on this DST to start the year. 24th in the projections.

My guy MarShawn Lloyd is making some noise in training camp. He has looked explosive so far and is everything that the Packers thought they were drafting. Yes, the big worry is whether he holds up as the practices and reps pile up. We still have to collectively hold our breath, but Lloyd should be inching closer and closer to the clear handcuff tier of backs for fantasy season if he can continue this charge throughout the preseason. Just to remind everyone about Lloyd's talent. During his final two collegiate seasons, he was 20th and 16th in yards after contact per attempt, third and 18th in breakaway rate, and fourth and 15th in elusive rating (per PFF, minimum 100 carries). Take a flier on Lloyd late in drafts.

Plagued by erratic kicking in recent years, the Packers spent a sixth-round draft pick on University of Florida kicker Trey Smack, who seems to be a near-lock to win Green Bay's kicker job. The Packers have released their 2025 kicker, Brandon McManus. Smack made 53-of-64 field goals (82.8%) in three college seasons with the Gators. Smack has a powerful leg and set a school record by hitting 10 field goals of 50 yards or longer. Two reasons why fantasy managers should be wary of Smack: (1) Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is aggressive in going for it on fourth down, and (2) late-season games in Lambeau Field tend to have suboptimal kicking weather.