Who Is Most Likely to Lead the Packers in Catches in 2024?

The Green Bay Packers entered last season without a clear-cut number one receiver. That hasn’t changed after the 2023 season even though the Packers know Jordan Love has established himself as the starting quarterback. It’s still not clear who is most likely to lead the Packers in catches in 2024. Last year, the receiving corps was balanced with just five catches separating the top two receivers. Here we look at the five favorites and discuss why they may lead the team in catches and what may prevent them from reaching that milestone.

Who Is Most Likely to Lead the Packers in Catches in 2024, Number Five: RB Josh Jacobs

One of the reasons the Packers signed Josh Jacobs when they had to replace Aaron Jones was Jacobs’ ability to catch passes out of the backfield. The former Raiders star had back-to-back seasons with more than 50 receptions in 2021 and 2022.

This season, he’ll have a better offense around him and a quarterback in Love who knows how to distribute the ball to many different receivers.

If Jacobs develops chemistry with Love, he can easily top 50 catches again which would put him in contention to lead the team in that category.

Head coach Matt LaFleur recognized Jacobs’ receiving ability after the Packers signed him. “I think there’s more out there for him in regards to the passing game, using him out of the backfield,” LaFleur said. “He’s put some really good choice routes on tape. That’s something we always try to get to. We’ve done it a little bit more down in the red area.”

Number Four: TE Luke Musgrave

Luke Musgrave finished fourth on the team a year ago with 34 catches. That number should go up if he stays healthy this season. Last year, he missed six games and was limited in a few others due to a lacerated kidney he suffered against the Chargers. Had he played all 17 games last season, he would have caught 52.5 passes.

The Oregon State alum should be more comfortable in the offense in his second NFL season and his ability to stretch a defense and make catches downfield should make him more dangerous.

Early last season, Love struggled with his deep throws but that improved in the second half of the schedule. If that accuracy continues, Musgrave could see more opportunities and have a better chance to lead the team in catches.

Who Is Most Likely to Lead the Packers in Catches in 2024, Number Three: WR Christian Watson

The biggest key for Christian Watson to have a chance to lead the team in catches is staying healthy. Last season, he was limited to just nine games due to hamstring issues. On many of those games he was on a play count. He still caught 28 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns.

Watson’s presence makes the Packers a more dangerous offense, even when they don’t get him the ball. His combination of size and elite speed makes him a formidable weapon that defenses have to account for every play he is on the field.

The Packers sent Watson to a hamstring specialist in Madison to help address his issues. If he can stay healthy and take a step forward in his third NFL season, he could have a breakthrough season that would catapult him to the top of the Packers leaders in receptions.

Number Two: WR Jayden Reed

Jayden Reed led the Packers in receptions a season ago with 64 despite missing one game due to injury. Reed accomplished this despite playing mostly as the team’s slot receiver and being on the field for just 56 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.

The battle for starting to be on the field as a first-string wide receiver will be a highly contested one in training camp and perhaps throughout the season. If Reed wins a starting job, his consistency and ability to play both the slot and on the perimeter may give him a leg up on the competition to lead the team in receptions for the second consecutive season.

Who Is Most Likely to Lead the Packers in Catches in 2024, Number One: WR Romeo Doubs

Romeo Doubs finished second on the Packers with 59 receptions a year ago. The third-year man out of Nevada has great chemistry with Love. He’s usually the player the quarterback looks to in the red zone and on key third down situations.

Watson may be the fastest Packers receiver and Reed may be their best slot man, but Doubs is the most consistent and has the best connection with his quarterback.

This was apparent as early as last offseason when Love had this to say about Doubs during OTAs. “When in doubt, you can throw it out there and you know [Doubs] is going to make a play,” Love told reporters. “He’s done a great job of going to get the ball wherever it’s at. He’s made some really tough catches. Just builds everyone’s confidence, builds my confidence in him, being able to throw the ball out there and know he’s going to make a play.”

Doubs enters 2024 as the top candidate to lead the Packers in catches.