Noteworthy stats to know from the Packers 2023 preseason
By Paul Bretl
It’s just about time to turn our focus to the regular season. However, before we do, with the help of Pro Football Focus, here are some noteworthy stats to know from the Green Bay Packers preseason.
– Jordan Love didn’t have any interceptions or even any turnover-worthy passes, according to PFF. Obviously, taking care of the football is important, but the inability to do so can be the downfall for many young quarterbacks and their offenses. Not only in the preseason but overall, Love did a really good job of knowing when to try pushing the ball downfield or fitting it into a tight window and when to hold on to it, continuing to go through his progressions.
– Edge rusher Brenton Cox led the Packers’ defense in total pressures with seven. Especially over these final few weeks, he made a really strong push for the Packers’ final 53-man roster.
– As we all know, special teams contributions are an important factor for many back-end-of-the-roster players in determining who makes the team. Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co. kept tabs on which players spent the most time with the starting special teams units. The top five are as follows: Dallin Leavitt, Patrick Taylor, Eric Wilson, Carrington Valentine, Jonathan Owens, JJ Enagbare, and Tucker Kraft.
– TJ Slaton has not only stood out as a run defender, which will be his primary role but also as a pass rusher. In the preseason, he was able to generate three pressures on only 13 pass rush attempts. His win rate of 23.1 percent was the highest on the team. Right now, he is the second interior defensive lineman in this rotation, behind only Kenny Clark.
– Romeo Doubs was really efficient as a receiver, averaging 3.84 yards per route run this preseason. For reference, that would have led the NFL in 2022. He may not have the blazing speed that Christian Watson or Jayden Reed do, but he knows how to create separation, and as Matt LaFleur said, he has the ability to run any route.
– Tight end Austin Allen had the Packers’ highest run-blocking grade and did so with a decent sample size of 37 run-blocking snaps. Without Tyler Davis, Allen could potentially be the Packers’ fourth tight end, filling the traditional Y-role, which often asks the player to line up inline and block. He also had the fifth most special teams snaps with the starters on the team.
– Overall, Sean Rhyan put together a solid training camp and preseason. Outside of a few snaps during the Cincinnati game, he was very consistent, allowing no pressures in the final two preseason games, along with creating some running lanes as well.
– The offensive line unit as a whole performed very well. In three games, just 12 total pressures were allowed, per PFF, while the Green Bay running backs averaged 4.6 yards per rush, which would have ranked 11th in 2022.
– As we saw, Carrington Valentine was dominant for the most part this preseason, allowing just six receptions on 15 targets while also making plays on the ball, coming away with four pass breakups and an interception. He also made nine tackles and wasn’t credited with any misses.
– In a deep edge rusher rotation, undrafted rookie Keshawn Banks played the run very well. He totaled the most run stops on the team, and his average depth of tackle was 0.3 yards–or basically right at the line of scrimmage. He will be on the Packers practice squad.
– Emanuel Wilson had five rushes of 10 or more yards, which was tied for the most out of any ball carrier in the NFL this preseason. He displayed very good vision as a ball carrier, although he is likely to be a practice squad player. As Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst both told us, special teams play would be key in determining the third running back role, and that is where Patrick Taylor shines.
– Love was on the field for 37 passing plays during the preseason, and seven of those attempts went to Luke Musgrave. The rookie tight end is going to play a big role in the offense right away, especially over the middle of the field. His size and speed will make him a big play threat, and not only will that lead to opportunities for himself but also for others in the offense with the attention he draws and the space he creates.
– An under-the-radar name who had a sneaky good preseason was cornerback William Hooper, who allowed just four receptions on 10 targets and gave up just 7.5 yards per catch with two pass breakups. He will be a practice squad candidate.
– The Packers linebacker unit as a whole had 26 pass rush snaps. It was pretty clear early on in practice that Green Bay was blitzing from this position group more often this summer, and it’s something they routinely did throughout the preseason. After one practice, I asked Quay Walker if this was the case, and in short, he did acknowledge that they were doing it more.
PFF’s highest-graded players on offense:
Romeo Doubs
Jordan Love
Jon Runyan
Jadakis Bonds
Sean Clifford
PFF’s highest-graded players on defense:
JJ Enagbare
Quay Walker
Benny Sapp
William Hooper
Keshawn Banks
PFF’s highest-graded players on special teams:
JJ Enagbare
Eric Wilson
Dallin Leavitt
Bo Melton
Benny Sapp