It's hard to imagine, but there are only four games remaining for the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL season. Time flies when you're having fun.
Record-wise, the Packers are one of the most improved teams in the NFL from a season ago. They've already matched their win total from 2023 and should blow past it in the season's final month.
A lot of that is due to these five players, the most positively surprising players on the Packers, entering the quarter pole.
Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft didn’t begin the season as the Packers’ starting tight end—that role belonged to Luke Musgrave. However, when Musgrave went down with an injury, Kraft seized the opportunity to prove himself, and he hasn’t looked back.
Kraft brings a well-rounded skill set to the position, combining physicality, toughness, and a surprising level of polish for a young player. While there’s still room for improvement, especially in his blocking, Kraft has shown a willingness to embrace the grittier aspects of playing tight end. Whether it’s sealing the edge on a running play or staying in to block on passing downs, he isn’t afraid to do the dirty work.
As a receiver, Kraft is already ahead of the curve. He’s a smooth route runner with the athleticism to create separation, and his reliability stands out. Out of 49 targets this season, he’s only registered two drops—a sign of his steady hands and focus.
Where Kraft truly shines, though, is after the catch. His combination of toughness and balance makes him difficult to bring down in the open field. This ability to gain extra yards has been instrumental in his production, as he’s hauled in 39 catches for 521 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Evan Williams
It might seem unfair to put a rookie on this list, but Evan Williams has earned his place among the Packers’ most surprising players this season.
Green Bay made sweeping changes to their safety position during the offseason, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive.
They parted ways with every safety who played significant defensive snaps for them in 2023, including Darnell Savage Jr., Jonathan Owens, Rudy Ford, and Anthony Johnson. All of them have moved on to different teams or aren't playing in the NFL right now.
With a completely revamped depth chart, the Packers invested in the position through the draft, selecting Javon Bullard in the second round and Evan Williams in the fourth.
While Bullard made an immediate impact, it took Williams a little longer to crack the defensive rotation. Now a starter when healthy, Williams has showcased the traits that made him a valuable addition.
His football IQ stands out as his defining quality. Williams has an uncanny ability to diagnose plays as they develop, allowing him to position himself correctly and consistently be around the ball.
This intelligence has been pivotal for Green Bay. Williams’ emergence has enabled the coaching staff to move Bullard to the slot, addressing some of the deficiencies in the cornerback room. While Williams has made his share of rookie mistakes, he has been a steady and reliable performer for a team that desperately needed stability in the secondary.
As the playoffs approach, Williams’ continued growth and instinctive play will be vital for a defense that has embraced its new identity.
Zach Tom
Zach Tom has emerged as one of the best right tackles in football, continuing his steady ascent since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Tom’s journey to a starting role took time. He didn’t solidify his place in the lineup until the final four games of his rookie season, where his strong performances at right tackle showcased his potential. That late-season audition proved to be a turning point, setting the stage for his breakout 2023 campaign.
Heading into training camp in 2023, the coaching staff had no doubt Tom would be a starter. The only question was where he would play. Ultimately, he settled in at right tackle and delivered a solid sophomore season.
In 2024, Tom has taken his game to another level. No longer just a reliable starter, he’s become one of Green Bay’s best offensive linemen and one of the top tackles in the league. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the seventh-best offensive tackle in the NFL among 80 qualified players—a list that includes both left and right tackles.
Tom has excelled in pass protection, holding his own against elite pass rushers. While he’s had occasional struggles, his consistency has been a major asset for the Packers. His real strength, however, lies in the run game, where he’s been instrumental in opening lanes for Green Bay’s backs.
If he continues on this trajectory, Tom is on pace for a massive payday when he becomes a free agent after the 2025 season.
Xavier McKinney
It’s impossible to talk about Evan Williams’ emergence at safety without mentioning the cornerstone of the Packers’ secondary, no entire defense: Xavier McKinney.
McKinney has been a game-changer for new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who has spearheaded Green Bay’s transition from a 3-4 to a 4-3 alignment. That switch required the Packers to overhaul their defensive personnel, a process that doesn’t happen overnight. However, adding McKinney has been a massive leap in the right direction.
After a pretty good campaign with the New York Giants, McKinney surprisingly never even made a Pro Bowl. However, he's flourished in Green Bay. This season, he’s not only on pace to make his first Pro Bowl but also a legitimate contender for an All-Pro selection.
McKinney’s most outstanding trait is his ball-hawking ability. He’s a constant threat in the secondary, forcing opposing quarterbacks to think twice about targeting his side of the field. Tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions, McKinney has brought a playmaking edge that the Packers have sorely missed since the days of Nick Collins and Charles Woodson. His knack for creating turnovers has been transformative for a defense that has often lacked big-play capability.
Beyond his ability to generate takeaways, McKinney’s versatility has made him invaluable. Hafley has used him all over the field, from deep coverage to run support, keeping offenses off balance.
McKinney has been a revelation for Green Bay, anchoring a secondary that looks far more dangerous with him patrolling the field. He's been a terrific addition and only has his best days ahead of him.
Josh Jacobs
When general manager Brian Gutekunst splurged in free agency, even he couldn’t have predicted how impactful the moves would be. While Xavier McKinney has anchored the defense, running back Josh Jacobs has been the driving force behind the Packers’ offense, making an immediate and lasting impact in his first year with the team.
Jacobs has silenced critics who questioned whether his best days were behind him. His performance this season has been a testament to his durability and skill as a workhorse back. Through 13 games, Jacobs has carried the ball 239 times, already exceeding the career-high single-season workload of former Packer Aaron Jones. This isn’t a knock on Jones but rather a reflection of the physicality and reliability Jacobs brings to the position.
Jacobs ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,053, showcasing his dominance on the ground. But his contributions don’t stop there. He’s also been a weapon in the passing game, hauling in 27 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown. His dual-threat ability has made him indispensable to Green Bay’s offense, keeping defenses guessing and opening up opportunities for his teammates.
Perhaps most importantly, Jacobs’ physical style of play is tailor-made for the cold-weather grind of playoff fotball. His ability to control the clock and wear down defenses will be crucial as the Packers aim to make a deep postseason run.
It was very difficult to move on from fan-favorite Jones. However, with Jacobs leading the charge, Green Bay’s offense looks primed for success in January.
