Fantasy Preview: Packers’ Jacobs Averaged 8th-Most RB Points a Game Last Season

By Jack Dougherty

The Packers are coming off a strong, 11-6 season in which they ranked eighth in the NFL in points per game (26.1) and fifth in points allowed per game (20.0), yards per play (6.1) and yards allowed per play (5.2). Green Bay has high expectations once again with the same core of quarterback Jordan Love, running back Josh Jacobs, wide receiver Jayden Reed, linebacker Quay Walker, defensive end Rashan Gary and safety Xavier McKinney back for another run. 

The Packers didn’t make any show-stopping offseason changes, but adding speedy rookie receiver Matthew Golden to an injury-plagued WR room, replacing cornerback Jaire Alexander with Nate Hobbs and bulking up the offensive line with guard Aaron Banks only improved the roster. Green Bay is a formidable team in the NFC because it can run the ball effectively and force turnovers in a variety of ways. Even though they’re in a brutal division alongside the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and much-improved Chicago Bears, the Packers should have their sights set on another playoff appearance in 2025-26. 

Odds to Make Playoffs: -135

• Quarterback: Jordan Love

  • 2024-25 stats: 15 games, 268-425, 63.1% completion, 3,389 yards, 8.0 yards per attempt, 96.7 passer rating, 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions

  • Love isn’t a reliable fantasy option because he rarely scrambles (83 rushing yards and one touchdown last season), and he’s operating in a slow-paced, run-heavy offense. The Utah State product was the 19th-ranked quarterback in fantasy points per game last season while battling a few injuries. Although Love should have a better season in 2025, his fantasy ceiling isn’t very high.
    

• Running Back: Josh Jacobs 

  • 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 301 carries, 1,329 yards, 4.4 average, 15 touchdowns, 78.2 yards/game, 3 fumbles lost

  • Jacobs is coming off a monster season in which he ranked eighth among running backs in fantasy points per game. He will once again be the focal point of Green Bay’s offense, but fantasy managers should be wary about his huge workload (874 carries over the last three seasons) eventually catching up to him.

• Wide Receiver: Jayden Reed 

  • 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 55 receptions, 75 targets, 857 yards, 15.6 average, 6 touchdowns, 50.4 yards/game, 380 yards after catch

  • The Packers spread the ball around in the passing game, but Reed is the most fantasy-relevant WR in this offense due to his speed and big-play ability. With rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams now in the field to steal more targets, Reed will be nothing more than a flex play in 2025. 

• Tight End: Tucker Kraft

  • 2024-25 stats: 17 games, 50 receptions, 70 targets, 707 yards, 14.1 average, 7 touchdowns, 41.6 yards/game, 456 yards after catch

  • Kraft came out of nowhere last season to put up 707 yards and seven touchdowns and rank 14th among tight ends in fantasy points per game. The issue is he’ll be fighting for touches against Jacobs, Luke Musgrave, Reed and five other capable wide receivers. 
    

• Defense

  • 2024-25 stats: 20.0 points allowed per game, 36.53% 3rd down, 61.29% 4th down, 17 interceptions, 45 sacks, 16 fumbles caused, 14 fumbles recovered, 1 touchdown

  • The Packers were the third-best defense in fantasy last season, and they should be one of the first defenses off the board in 2025. Turnover machine Xavier McKinney is back at safety, and the defensive line is deep with pass-rushers.