The 2024 Green Bay Packers have one of the most underrated rosters in the league. Several players could earn All-Pro honors for the first time in 2024. Here are five potential candidates:
1-QB Jordan Love
Jordan Love was PFF’s highest-graded quarterback in the second half of last season. He led the league in big-time throws when blitzed, with five total. He was also among the top four QBs in big-time throws under pressure, tying with Josh Allen and ranking below Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. If Love can consistently play as he did in the second half of 2023, he will be in contention for MVP and All-Pro honors.
2-OT Zach Tom
Zach Tom was Green Bay’s best offensive lineman last year, per PFF. Among 19 tackles with 650+ pass-blocking snaps, Tom allowed the second-fewest sacks and QB hits and the fifth-lowest QB pressures. His pass-blocking efficiency was 97.2, the fifth-best grade. Tom’s importance was evident in the playoffs against the 49ers. With Tom, Love went 15 for 22, 168 yards, 2 TDs, and a 120.3 rating in the first six possessions. After Tom’s injury, Love went 6 for 12, 30 yards, 2 INTs, and a 16.7 rating on four possessions.
Zach Tom allowed just nine QB pressures in 125 pass-blocking snaps against T.J. Watt, Aidan Hutchinson, and Cameron Jordan. If he continues to perform at a high level against elite competition, he will finally get recognition as one of the best offensive tackles in football.
3-DT Kenny Clark
Out of 50 defensive linemen with at least 500 snaps in 2023, Kenny Clark ranked in the top six for total pressures. He also tied for fifth in both sacks and hurries.
Clark is entering the final year of his second contract. He has proven he deserves another deal, but this contract year should motivate him to play even better. To earn All-Pro honors, Clark likely needs at least 10 sacks. He achieved a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023. With his talent and Jeff Hafley’s more aggressive scheme, he has the opportunity to reach that status.
4-DE Rashan Gary
Rashan Gary is coming off a 60-pressure, 9-sack season in 2023. He recorded three sacks against the Lions’ elite offensive line on Thanksgiving. Gary has the second-best pass rush snaps-to-pressure ratio from his draft class, trailing only Nick Bosa.
Just like Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary will benefit from a more aggressive scheme. Jeff Hafley wants his defense to attack both the ball and the line of scrimmage. Gary can line up both inside and outside. Although he has mostly played on the edge in Green Bay, he lined up inside frequently at Michigan. This versatility gives Hafley plenty of looks to work with. The unpredictability of Gary’s usage should give him an advantage and a tool to compete for All-Pro honors.
5-S Xavier McKinney
Jeff Hafley has a strong track record in developing defensive backs since his days at Ohio State. He transformed Jeff Okudah into a third overall NFL draft pick. Last season, McKinney posted impressive stats: an 87.8 PFF coverage grade, 89.1 tackling grade, allowed a passer rating of 52.1, and played 100% of the Giants’ defensive snaps. Pairing McKinney with elite cornerback Jaire Alexander and Hafley’s coaching prowess in secondary development sets high expectations for McKinney in Green Bay.
With all these players contributing at a high level, the 2024 Green Bay Packers are poised for greatness. If they perform as expected, a Super Bowl run is within reach.