Love and the Packers' passing game regressed last season thanks to injuries and a new emphasis on the ground game. Love sprained an MCL Week 1 that kept him out the next two weeks and lingered throughout the season. He also suffered a groin injury Week 8 and an elbow injury Week 18. The leg injuries hobbled his ability to scramble and keep plays alive, and it cost him significant rushing production -- just 83 rushing yards after 247 in 2023. The arrival of Josh Jacobs (301 carries) cost him pass attempts as the Packers increased their rushing rate by nearly 10 percentage points over 2023, to 51.2 percent (3rd in NFL). Love was efficient, ranking fifth with an 8.0 YPA, and went deep plenty with 14.4 percent of his attempts going 20-plus yards (2nd), but he lost about six attempts per game. He likely isn't getting those back this season. The passing game, though, could be more explosive. The 23rd pick in the draft, WR Matthew Golden ran a 4.29 40 and gives the Packers a speed threat they lacked. Green Bay needs Golden to acclimate quickly because Christian Watson is still recovering from a January ACL injury. The Packers also drafted WR Savion Williams (third round), who ran a 4.48 40 at 6-4, 222. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks also return, giving Love plenty of quality targets.
