Green Bay's 'Devastating' Skill Players Are Ranked 17th, and It's Because They Can't Stay on the Field

Alright, 12s, buckle up because ESPN just dropped a bomb that's a serious head-scratcher. You know how much we love seeing other teams stumble, and Bill Barnwell's latest ranking of skill-position players across the league for the Packers is a perfect example of what happens when potential gets smacked in the face by reality. Seriously, these guys have been pegged at number 17 for three straight years, a streak of "consistent mediocrity" that's almost impressive in its own right. But here's the kicker: Barnwell says they *could* be elite, maybe even "devastating." What gives?

The 17th-Ranked Enigma: So Much Talent, So Little Health

Let's break it down. We're talking running back Josh Jacobs, receivers Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden, plus tight end Tucker Kraft. Barnwell looked at that group and gave them the 17th spot. Now, if you've watched any of them, you've seen glimpses. Barnwell himself put it plainly, "We’ve seen all four of those players take over games and look unstoppable at times over the past couple of seasons." Think about that for a second. Potentially unstoppable, yet stuck at 17. The big "if" is they need to stay on the field for 17 games, because if they could, he thinks it would be "one of the most devastating groups of playmakers in the league." That's high praise, but it makes the low ranking even more painful for their fans.

The Brutal Truth: Injuries Are a Season Killer

So, why the perennial 17th-place finish if they're so good? The answer

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is brutal: they can't stay healthy. In 2024, when they *were* on the field together, they averaged a solid 0.14 EPA per play. That's a flash of what *could* be. But then 2025 hit like a truck. Watson missed the start of the season with a torn ACL. Reed was out in the middle of the season with a foot injury and a broken collarbone. Kraft finished the year sidelined with a torn ACL. The cold, hard fact is they weren't on the field together *at all* last season. Even Jacobs, who they need to be a powerhouse, was sapped by a knee injury, with three of his four worst games in terms of yards after contact coming in their final three losses of the season: Week 16 at Chicago, Week 17 against Baltimore, and a playoff game at Chicago. Yikes.

No Proven Depth, High Stakes for the New Season

Looking ahead to this season, the hope is that Kraft is healthy and this core group finally gets on the field together. They've also got last year’s draft picks, Golden and Savion Williams, needing to step up big time with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gone. Barnwell's final thought on this squad perfectly sums up their dilemma: "This could literally be the best one-through-five group in the league if everyone is healthy and at their best." But then he drops the hammer: "Yet the chances of that happening explain why they rank 17th." They've only had one season where a receiver played 600 snaps, showing just how fleeting their potential is. For them, the stakes are simple: stay healthy, or stay mediocre. It’s a make-or-break season for their skill players, and it'll be interesting to see if they can finally get it together.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.