Speed kills in sports. At least, that’s the expression. For years, the Green Bay Packers have proven the opposite with wide receivers like Jordy Nelson and James Jones posting gaudy numbers during Aaron Rodgers‘ heydays despite not being known for their blazing speed.
In this new era with quarterback Jordan Love taking over, the Packers appear to be relying much more on speed to make a big difference.
Green Bay had a major need at tight end entering this offseason. They addressed it back drafting a pair of tight ends, starting with Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave. For a tight end, Musgrave is a bit more on the slender side at 6’6″, 250 lbs.
How do Love and head coach Matt LaFleur see the rookie making a difference right away? His speed.
Speaking with reporters after an OTA practice, it was the first thing Love brought up.
“[Musgrave is] a lot faster than anybody thought, on tape just watching him,” Love said of Musgrave. “He’s picking up the offense really fast, he’s getting a lot of reps right now, which is great for him. He’s making the most of it. Learning every day, not making the same mistake twice. And he’s catching the ball really well right now, he’s making plays.”
In recent years, Green Bay has gone with tight ends that are also productive but not nearly quite the fleet of foot that Musgrave is. Tight ends like Marcedes Lewis, Jimmy Graham and Jared Cook all left their impressions, but Musgrave is cut from a different cloth because of his speed.
LaFleur has also noticed.
“Certainly, he does have an elite trait that he can flat fly,” LaFleur said in May. “He’s a really, really intelligent player…. If he makes a mistake, he hasn’t made many of the same mistakes twice because he’s super into it. Very intentional. Deliberate about his work. Invested. He continues to show progress every day.”
Running back Aaron Jones has been around the block with Green Bay, entering his seventh season with the franchise. Even he noted earlier in the offseason after an OTA practice how fast the offense looked.
Musgrave isn’t the only candidate, although his 4.61 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine ranked fourth among all tight ends. The speed element has also leaked into the wide receiver room.
The Packers drafted Christian Watson in the second round last year. Entering his second season, expectations will go up a tick with Watson expected to top the depth chart. What was the scouting report on Watson coming out of North Dakota State? He can fly.
Watson ran a 4.36 40 at the combine in 2022. That ranked ahead of a trio of receivers that were selected ahead of him, including Jahan Dotson, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
It was Watson’s speed that helped him separate and open the eyes of Aaron Rodgers last season. Per Packers Wire, Rodgers noted No. 9’s speed numerous times throughout the season
Look, I tell you, he’s got special speed. He really does. He’s got incredible stride length. When you watch some of the film back, it’s similar to watching Davante his rookie year. You know there were games where I didn’t give Davante a ton of looks, but you go back and watch the film, and you’re thinking, ‘Man, this guy is open often.’ It’s like that from time to time with Christian. There’s a few routes, I mean not as much as Davante, I just think Davante was a little more polished route-runner as a rookie, but there are a few times where I might need to give him a second look even when things don’t look great from the start because he does have that different type of speed.
Even Adams, who is as good as it gets, is known for his precision as a wide receiver and his crisp route running more so than being a burner like a Tyreek Hill. Watson’s speed is what the Packers hope will elevate him to another level.
It’s a new age offense in Green Bay. Their draft class this year put a light on that, and it wasn’t just with the Musgrave pick. Green Bay took Michigan State wideout Jayden Reed with the No. 50 overall pick in the second round. What stands out with Reed right away on tape? Take a guess. Speed.
In a workout with the Packers before the draft, Green Bay clocked Reed at a 4.37 40-yard time. Among all receivers that participated in the combine, that time was tied for third-fastest.
Via USA Today, Packers vice president of player personnel, Jon-Eric Sullivan brought up Reed’s speed right away when talking about the player he is. “He plays fast. He’s quick. He can get out of breaks,” Sullivan noted of Reed. “Obviously outside the numbers, speed comes into play, but inside, he’s strong and he can get in and out of breaks, which will help him get separation.”
Heck, even general manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned how Reed’s speed will help him play on the perimeter instead of locking him into just the slot spot. “I do think he’s very good in the slot,” he said, “but I do think because of his speed he’ll be able to play outside.”
It’s a new era in Green Bay on offense with a massive youth movement taking over and a new quarterback in place. In 2023, the Packers will be relying a lot on speed to make a difference.
