There's a phrase that Packer fans have grown accustomed to. Some may loathe the phrase, but it's been a philosophy of the Green Bay Packers for almost two decades. That phrase would be "draft and develop." In a nutshell, while some teams will get their stars from free agency and trades, the Packers prefer their talent to be home-grown. They'll sign free agents to fill holes here and there on their roster, but if the Packers have their preference, they'd much rather reinforce their roster with talent on a rookie contract that could develop into a star than pay a newcomer a king's ransom. It pays off when those players develop into what they were projected to be or better. But when they don't, it tends to make the whole process a bit of a waste of time.
It seems like every single season we're hearing the phrase "The Packers have one of the youngest, if not THE youngest roster in the league." And sure, it's nice to have success with that young roster and think about what might happen a few years down the road when they have more experience under their belts. Well, sometimes that time never comes. Those high-ceiling young players are serviceable, but that high ceiling becomes a bit of a pipe dream or even an evaluation failure down the road when the player doesn't even come close to that projection.
Heading into the 2025 season, there are many players the Packers raved about having a high ceiling now entering their third or fourth seasons without even scratching the surface. Sane fans know to give most rookies a year or two to truly come into their own before labeling their selection a mistake. That time has come. You can't be a "project" player forever. Eventually, the project has to be turned in for grading. And if it's a failing grade, then a new direction needs to be taken.
For others, it's not that they've failed; they might be one of the shining bright spots on the roster. But even those shining bright spots have a next level, stardom. There are plenty of players on this roster who have been producing, but they can do more.
Having the youngest roster in the league means nothing if, a few years later, that youth is still in the same place they were before. It's time to grow up.
Taking that next step
When one thinks about development in a football sense, they normally would only think about a first or second-year player getting better. But it can be true for the entire roster. Now, when one thinks about the greatest Packers wide receivers of all time, many names come to mind. One name that likely fits most top-5 lists, or at least top-7, is Jordy Nelson. Rightfully so, Nelson was the definition of a reliable weapon in the early to mid-2010s. But Nelson, an early second-round pick in 2008, didn't quite have his big breakout until his fourth season in 2011. So, an average first three seasons turned into a legendary career afterwards. What if you were told that, statistically, despite playing in seven fewer games, Christian Watson had about as many catches as Jordy Nelson did in his first three seasons, but almost 400 more receiving yards, and eight more receiving touchdowns? Granted, Jordy Nelson was on a roster with several more-established receivers in his first few years than Christian Watson has been, but it's still worth noting that sometimes further development and results can happen even after a few seasons.
What players need to do some growing up in 2025?
Jayden Reed
Reed is arguably the top receiver on the Packers' roster entering 2025. But that's not enough. Everyone talks about last year's drops, well, without those drops, he could've had his first career 1K-yard season receiving. Reed is a highly productive receiver, but he could be on the cusp of stardom in 2025 if he takes the next step.
Tucker Kraft
2024 seemed like a coming-out party for Tucker Kraft. He had a good rookie season, but that second year was his way of showing he would be a force to reckon with. Like Jayden Reed, however, Tucker Kraft could be on the cusp of stardom. He could be one of the top tight ends in the league. It's time to make that happen.
Jordan Love
In 2023, Love proved he was legit. 2024, however, set him back a bit. It's said that an injury suffered in the first game of the season essentially hampered Love all of 2024. Well, it's time to prove that to be true. If Jordan Love goes off in 2025, he will take that leap towards stardom. If he doesn't, there's a chance we hear about Quarterback controversies in the 2026 offseason.
Dontayvion Wicks
"He reminds me of Davante Adams at this point in his career." Many are guilty of making these comments about Dontayvion Wicks after a drop-filled 2024. Wicks doesn't need to become a star in 2025, but he needs to prove he's better than he's shown as of late.
Luke Musgrave
It's as if Tucker Kraft became the tight end we thought Luke Musgrave was going to be. Musgrave has had injuries sort of derail the last year and a half of his career. Before that, though, he looked like a promising young tight end. In 2025, it would be nice for Musgrave to at least match the energy of his rookie season and a bit more. Two tight end sets with him and Kraft should be a defense's nightmare.
Lukas Van Ness
This one is drowning in obviousness. The former number 13 overall pick needs to have a good third season, or the clock is going to run out. In 2025, it's as if the stage is set for him to run away with it. The Packers, needing to improve the pass rush, didn't really touch it at all. Instead, they talked about improvement from the players they have, and they drafted a few possible pass rushers in the middle rounds. The edge rushing assignment opposite Rashan Gary is Van Ness's for the taking; it's time he steps up and makes his number 90 famous.
Devonte Wyatt
I've written about the Packers' first-round draft picks seconds after their name was called every draft for the last four years. This all started with Devonte Wyatt. He was anticipated to be the running mate Kenny Clark sorely needed. Wyatt would take pressure off Clark, and both would wreak havoc on the interior of offenses across the league. But it hasn't quite been that way. Wyatt has shown a few flashes here and there, but nothing to be considered a big threat. It's time for Devonte Wyatt to make opposing offenses know his name and make them need to account for him every single play.
Quay Walker
Walker is the epitome of draft and develop. A player labeled an athletic freak, taken early, we all knew he wouldn't be a star in year 1. But we thought he might be at least by the end of year 3. Walker needs to step up and show some kind of promise in year 4, or he will likely not be on the Packers' roster much longer.
Many more names could still be mentioned. But these may be the top 8. To achieve greatness, you must strive for it every day. It's not enough to be "a starter." You need to focus on what you need to do to get better, no matter what position you're in. The Green Bay Packers' youth has its path laid out in front of it. Hopefully, they follow and take the next step.