Today's theme is five players who need to rise up and show the reasons why the Packers drafted or acquired them, They could be players that have not lived up to their billing, players that have been waylaid by injuries, players getting their first real chance at a starting job, or various other situations.
Here's my list...
Lukas Van Ness - Duh, The Packers have handed him the keys to the starting job opposite Rashan Gary, whether he deserves it or not. To quote Clint Eastwood in The Unforgiven, "deserve's got nothing to do with it." LVN has lined up as a starter opposite Gary throughout the offseason. As the 13th pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Van Ness was rightfully expected to be a meaningful contributor to this team. So far, he's been a major disappointment. Is he a "bust" as many have intimated? "Not yet" is the answer. There is still time for the light bulb to go on and for LVN to find a way to use his athletic ability to make an impact. Year three is when Rashan Gary seemed to figure it out. Now it's LVN's turn.
Jordan Morgan - The player looked upon with disdain by many as "the guy we drafted instead of Cooper Dejean," with the 25th pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Morgan is supposedly healthy and getting an opportunity to win a starting job on the offensive line. The options being presented is right guard and left tackle. Both opportunities require unseating a current starter, As I've written here ad nauseam, i believe the Packers REALLY want Morgan to win the left tackle job. The Packers don't draft linemen in Round one because they think he'll be a great guard. They draft first round linemen to be one of their starting tackles, kicking inside is just a backup plan. After a year mostly on the shelf due to injuries, Morgan gets another chance to rise up and make his mark on this team.
Luke Musgrave - Oh how we drooled over the explosive athleticism Musgrave displayed as a rookie. The burst, acceleration and size/speed combination enthralled us. Sure he ws a bit rough around the edges. Route running and staying on his feet after the catch were issues, but those are things that can be worked on and improved. Alas, due to the injuries, he never got a real chance to do so. Now that he's back healthy and supposedly looking like an improved version of his old self, Musgrave, together with Tucker Kraft. can potentially form the finest TE tandem in the league.
Keisean Nixon - On locker cleanout day in January after the playoff loss to the Eagles, Nixon declared his goal was to be CB1. Well, the Packers just released their CB1 so there's a spot open for you, Keisean. This will be Nixon's fourth year with the Packers and seventh year in the league, Putting his kick returning prowess aside, Nixon has shown steady improvement as a defensive back with the Packers. He played slot corner for the first time in his career in 2023 and both outside and slot corner in 2024. Nixon took to new DC Jeff Hafley's system and gained much confidence as the year progressed. It's this newfound confidence that has Nixon feeling the next step for him is to rise to CB1 status. The door is open for him, but it's time to backup up the talk with results.
Christian Watson - The Packers sent two second round picks to the Vikings to move up 19 spots and select Watson with pick 34 of the 2022 NFL draft. Going by the trade value charts, the Packers gave up too much, but as Packers director of football operations Milt Hendrickson said at the time, "A pick is just a pick until it becomes a player, From that standpoint, if you love the player, you find the way to get him." The Packers did what they had to and it's been a bit of a roller coaster ride ever since with some highest of highs and some injury-related lows. At some point this season, Watson hopes to ride in on his white horse and look to add his deep threat game-breaking skills to the Packers offense. If Watson were to rise up and help take the offense to new heights, it would be great for the Packers and for Watson's next contract as well.