8 Risers and Fallers in Packers Rookie Power Rankings After Week 2 Loss

It’s becoming increasingly evident that the Green Bay Packers will heavily rely on their 2023 rookie class throughout this NFL season and beyond, and the early results are promising.

In Green Bay’s Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Packers’ rookies made their mark by accounting for all three touchdowns. Jayden Reed secured two, while Dontayvion Wicks contributed another. Luke Musgrave’s presence was notable as well, as he played 44 out of a possible 50 offensive snaps, solidifying his position as the top tight end on the depth chart.

On the defensive side, Lukas Van Ness showed promise in his limited snaps, while Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks played pivotal roles in the defensive line rotation. Special mention also goes to the impressive kicking duo of Anders Carlson and Daniel Whelan.

We’ve been evaluating the Packers’ rookies after each game this season, considering that our assessments are based solely on their expected impact for the 2023 season, not their entire careers. With that clarification, let’s dive in!

Let’s rank all of the rookies on the Green Bay Packers following their fourth quarter collapse at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.

1. Luke Musgrave (Round 2, Pick 42) (Previously 1)
2. Jayden Reed (Round 2, Pick Pick 50) (Previously 2)
3. Anders Carlson (Round 6, Pick 207) (Previously 3)
4. Lukas Van Ness (Round 1, Pick 13) (Previously 4)
5. Dontayvion Wicks (Round 5, Pick 159) (Previously 5)
6. Colby Wooden (Round 4, Pick 116) (Previously 5)
7. Karl Brooks (Round 6, Pick 179) (Previously 10)
8. Daniel Whelan (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 7)
9. Tucker Kraft (Round 3, Pick 78) (Previously 6)
10. Ben Sims (Undrafted) Previously 12)
11. Malik Heath (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 8)
12. Carrington Valentine (Round 6, Pick 232) (Previously 11)
13. Anthony Johnson Jr (Round 6, Pick 242) (Previously 13)
14. Emanuel Wilson (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 14)
15. Sean Clifford (Round 5, Pick 149) (Previously 15)
16. Brenton Cox Jr (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 16)

Dontayvion Wicks: Wicks has IT! He missed a lot of training camp and preseason due to injuries, but is quickly assimilating himself to the offense with Christian Watson out and Romeo Doubs limited by a hamstring injury.

He had two receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons, but his burst and wiggle were impressive. He caught his 32-yard touchdown pass across the middle of the field, broke a tackle and then sprinted into the endzone past another defender. He could be a great compliment to Watson when he returns and provide Green Bay with two big-time playmakers at wide receiver. He was 12th on the power rankings entering the season, jumped to 9 last week, and moved up to 5 this week.

Colby Wooden/Karl Brooks: The Packers lack depth along their defensive line, evidenced by the ample playing time Wooden and Brooks have received through the first two weeks. Both players have flashed pass-rushing prowess, showing why they’re specialists who can be deployed when Green Bay is playing from ahead. However, they are not run-stoppers by any means at this point in their careers and struggled mightily in that area against Atlanta. According to PFF, Wooden was the Packers’ lowest-graded defender, with his tackling and run defense being horrendous.

Tucker Kraft/Ben Sims: With Musgrave receiving 44 snaps at tight end in Week 2, the Packers rarely utilized a two tight end look, and when they did, it was usually Josiah Deguara on the field. Kraft only played two snaps, while Sims received five.  Matt LaFleur is also fond of deploying a third offensive tackle as a tight end when needed for the blocking situation. The opportunity is there for both players, but it feels as if they’re quickly losing playing time.