Checking In on Packer Performances through Eight Weeks

I had high hopes that MarShawn Lloyd would be able to keep the Green Bay Packers’ run game afloat until the league sorted out Josh Jacobs’ legal situation, but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case.

Despite the fact that similar backs have had success for us in short-term roles in the past, like Emanuel Wilson did last year, I don’t think there’s many players in the league that could perform consistently behind the offensive line that Green Bay has constructed.

Last week against the NFL’s worst run defense, the Packers only had thirty-eight yards on thirteen carries, and overall, the unit has been almost unbelievably bad.

Green Bay is the first team in league history to have a winning record while rushing for less than five hundred total yards in their first eight games, and it will be beyond difficult to continue on that trajectory.

Lloyd himself has struggled mightily with vision, often trying to bounce outside on runs he should follow through his blockers.

With what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think he’ll be a part of the Packers’ future beyond his rookie deal.

If Green Bay can find a way to make teams respect their rushing attack, you have to wonder how good the rest of this offense could become.

Where to Pivot: Jonathan Taylor?

In the past week or so leading up to the trade deadline, the Green Bay Packers have been linked to Jonathan Taylor.

I don’t think that he’s likely to don the green and gold any time soon, especially with the draft capital that the Colts are looking for, but there’s definitely real interest there.

Taylor has roots as a Wisconsin Badger, and it would be fun to see him come home, but even one of the league’s best backs might not be enough to save the unit.

Josh Jacobs has averaged just 2.3 yards a carry the past two games, and his return was supposed to create significant improvement.

In my opinion, the Packers should focus on upgrading the position in the draft.

There’s plenty of interesting names in this cycle, and it doesn’t take a high pick to find value.

My Pick: WR Matthew Golden

Matthew Golden has been everything that the Green Bay Packers could’ve hoped for thus far.

In just eight games, Golden has surpassed his season totals as a rookie, and the combination of both him and a (mostly) healthy Christian Watson has been deadly, leading to quarterback Jordan Love currently leading the league in passing yards.

Golden ranks seventh in the league in receiving with six hundred and nineteen yards, and he has emerged as the focal point of the Packers’ offensive gameplan.

There’s just one detractor.

Golden also leads the league in drops.

That problem is a familiar one for the Packers, regardless of the name on the back of the jersey, but with a couple more catches, this team would likely have another win or two.

There’s something to be said for the fact that you have to keep getting open to keep dropping the ball, but Green Bay will need Golden to clean it up if they plan to be clutch when it counts.

Outside of that issue however, there’s no reason to look anywhere else.

Matthew Golden is a star, and he will play a huge role in the Green Bay Packers’ playoff chances.

My Pick: TE Tucker Kraft

Tucker Kraft has begun his 2026 season without any truly explosive performances, but his consistency has been a welcome sight for this offense, as well as his blocking ability.

After scoring just once in the first six games, Kraft has contributed touchdowns in the last two contests, and he seems to be finding his groove.

Although he lost some points with the fans following his response to the boo-birds in Lambeau in week three, he’s still one of the heart and soul players on this squad.

If he can start drawing attention from secondaries like he did last year, Jordan Love may end up having too many open options to throw to.

My Pick: EDGE Lukas Van Ness

Lukas Van Ness had a lot on his shoulders heading into 2026, as he was expected to be a big part of re-creating Micah Parsons’ production in the aggregate.

For the most part, I’d say he’s been successful, as his ability to apply pressure was critical in the first few weeks, but after registering 2.5 sacks in just two games, he’s taken another six games to record two more.

With Parsons returning soon, we might see Van Ness re-emerge, as he got much better the more he got to play alongside Micah last year, but that can probably be said for just about any player you put in Van Ness’ place.

Dani Dennis-Sutton has looked like a far more intriguing option, given his physical gifts, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he eats more and more into Van Ness’ role.

A Rising Star: Dani Denis-Sutton

In my initial post in September, I mentioned the fact that rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton could end up taking Lukas Van Ness’ spot in the Green Bay Packers’ future plans.

We’re now eight games into the Penn State product’s debut, and I think it’s safe to say that that might come to pass.

Dennis-Sutton has looked explosive in the pass rush snaps that he’s seen so far, and his pressure rate of over 20% is one of the best in the NFL, rookie or not.

For context, Micah Parsons finished his first season in Green Bay with a pressure rate of 20.2%, and as we all saw, he wrecked havoc on the game.

With Parsons returning to the lineup soon, it’s easy to salivate over the idea of what Dennis-Sutton will be able to accomplish with a a true double-team drawer by his side.

At the very least, the Packers have found themselves a fourth round steal.

My Pick: CB Brandon Cisse

Brandon Cisse’s welcome to the NFL has come about rather swiftly, as the rookie corner has taken on the likes of Justin Jefferson, Garrett Wilson, Drake London, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown in his first stretch of games.

That, as expected, came with growing pains, but in the past few contests, Cisse has come into his own.

His passer rating allowed has steadily dropped almost every week, and three of his last four outings have graded out in elite territory.

Cisse’s late-game performance against Detroit was especially impressive, as he almost single-handedly stopped the Lions from scoring a touchdown at the end of the third quarter to grow their lead.

Although the Green Bay Packers ended up losing the game, Cisse’s play on that drive was what allowed the door to open for what should’ve been a win.

With how suspect the cornerback room has been the past few seasons, Green Bay was desperate for a player like Cisse, and he should play a huge role in this defense for years to come.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up making a Jaire Alexander-like ascension.

My Pick: K Trey Smack

The Green Bay Packers are once again on a roller coaster ride when it comes to kicking.

After a nearly perfect first four weeks with only one missed extra point and one blocked attempt, rookie Trey Smack seems to have lost himself.

He missed two tries and an extra point against Chicago, then missed two kicks from inside forty yards two weeks later in Detroit.

Although one of those attempts was blocked, and the team suffered from other miscues, it was Smack’s misses that ultimately cost Green Bay the game.

After yet another missed extra point against Carolina, it’s hard to tell just how long of a leash Smack has left in Green Bay.

Matt LaFleur has come out and backed him yet again heading into week nine, but with how tight the NFC North is bound to finish, there’s little to no room for error when it comes to deciding wins and losses.

I still have hope, especially when you consider the fact that he’s essentially won us two games as well, with his walk-off overtime field goal against the Jets and his fifty-nine yard boot against the Buccaneers, but if it ends up costing us a playoff appearance, we’ll all wonder why we didn’t cut ties sooner.

Right now, I’m not sure there’s a better option.

The Packers seemed to be cursed at the position, and even a semi-proven veteran could come in and fall victim just the same.