Fantasy Football Player Notes

Weeks 1-10: Jacobs was the RB5 in PPG (18.1) with 11 rushing TDs. Then he suffered a knee injury in Week 11. Once he returned in Week 13, he was clearly not himself. RB23 in PPG (10.5). 12 PPG (RB21) from Week 7 onward after hurting his calf. Ended the season as RB11 in PPG (14.3).
The Packers RB fell just shy of 1,000 rushing yards despite 254 carries, taking a step back in his second season with Green Bay. If healthy, Jacobs has a top-5 fantasy ceiling. But as the 28-year-old continues to pile up volume and small injuries, fantasy managers should be wary of the production tapering off.

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 over the summer and be prepared to pounce if he comes with an injury discount in 2026 fantasy drafts.

Jayden Reed's 2025 season was largely lost to injuries, but Green Bay's offseason actions suggest the Packers still believe in his long-term upside. The explosive slot receiver received a lucrative extension while the team moved on from other veteran wideouts, potentially opening the door for a more stable every-down role. Reed's route participation and deployment remain the key questions for fantasy purposes, though his efficiency and playmaking ability have never been in doubt. in the games where Reed played at least 38% of the snaps, he had no fewer than three receptions in any contest during the regular season (8.8 PPG). At his current draft cost, Reed profiles as an appealing post-hype sleeper with room for a major rebound.

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.

Matthew Golden's rookie season was mostly quiet from a fantasy perspective, but the underlying context suggests better days are ahead. Green Bay has significant vacated targets entering 2026, and Golden's lack of production was driven more by inconsistent playing time than poor efficiency. The former first-round pick flashed his upside late in the year and remains an intriguing fit alongside Jordan Love thanks to his speed and big-play ability. If his route participation climbs in Year 2, Golden has clear breakout potential in an evolving Packers offense.

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.

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.