Training camp practices are coming thick and fast, but almost a week in, it's a good time to pause and reflect on what we've seen from the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers don't have their entire star cast available just yet. Tucker Kraft is being eased back in, while the wait for Micah Parsons will go on for a while longer. But the stars available to practice have stepped up, as have a few surprise names.
There are already several takeaways from Packers training camp after the first week, but these five players, in particular, have stood out.
Biggest winners for the Packers after the first week of training camp
Matthew Golden and Christian Watson
Say hello to the Packers' 2026 starting boundary wide receivers. Jayden Reed remains primarily a slot receiver, with Matthew Golden and Christian Watson taking the lion's share of the starting reps on the outside.
Golden has made a lightning start to the summer. He's on a mission to silence the many who have written him off as a bust after one season. His lack of production in 2025 always felt like a result of limited opportunities rather than a talent issue. He's showing that already.
Watson, meanwhile, is picking up where he left off after a breakout season last fall. He returned from an ACL injury better than ever, catching 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns in just 10 games. Together, Golden and Watson have become a problem for the defense at camp.
They stole the show during Friday's practice.
"Christian Watson and Matthew Golden have made some insane catches today," Carson Fowler of WFRV Local 5 wrote during practice.
Bill Huber of Packers On SI highlighted both players, noting that Golden has been "superb" and that Watson is off to a "strong start." It's hard to argue. Jordan Love no longer has Romeo Doubs to lean on, but it hasn't mattered. Golden and Watson have flown out of the gates at training camp.
J. Michael Sturdivant
The Packers already know their top three at receiver, but there is less uncertainty at the bottom of the depth chart.
Lombardi Ave's Carlos Sanchez predicted before camp that J. Michael Sturdivant could force his way into the 53-man roster conversation and keep the Packers' undrafted rookie streak alive. We're already seeing why.
Sturdivant hasn't looked out of place in the famous No. 87 jersey, getting open consistently and making some impressive catches.
The only frustration is that the rookie has had too many drops. But that might be the only thing that keeps him off the roster when it's all said and done. If Sturdivant can fix that part of his game, he might force the Packers to make room for him.
"Sturdivant again comes open on a slant and unfortunately for the second straight day drops an uncontested catch. Gotta get that cleaned up if he wants to make the team. Has legit looked good outside the two drops," Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day Podcast wrote during Friday's practice.
It's easy to see why the Packers like Sturdivant. He is 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, and earned a ridiculous Relative Athletic Score of 9.96 out of 10. We're already seeing why many draft analysts believed he'd go on Day 3. If he cleans up the drops, Sturdivant could make a strong case to be the Packers' WR6.
Jordan Love
Jordan Love is doing Jordan Love things.
No matter who you speak to at training camp, they are all saying the same thing. Love looks accurate. He's making the same wow throws we've become accustomed to. But more than anything, he always looks in total control out there. It's what we saw from Love for most of last season, and he's picking up where he left off.
We may also see Love use his legs more often. Matt LaFleur has spoken about the importance of scrambling when the opportunities come up, especially against man coverage, and Love has seemingly taken note.
He scored two touchdowns with his legs during the first practice of camp. Love doesn't need to become a rushing quarterback, but he hasn't leaned on that part of his game enough. Maybe not for much longer.
Johnathan Baldwin
Remember the name. One week into camp, it's difficult to envision Johnathan Baldwin not making the Packers' 53-man roster. Few predicted that seven days ago.
Baldwin has been Green Bay's No. 2 slot corner all week, stepping in any time Javon Bullard leaves the field.
And he's made some standout plays. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Baldwin intercepted Tyrod Taylor and blew up a screen pass during Thursday's practice. They are the moments to build on, or "stack success," as Mike McCarthy loved to say during training camp.
Baldwin is doing that. The competition is wide open at outside cornerback, but Baldwin seems to have carved out his own niche as the No. 2 nickel. That could help him secure a spot on the 53.
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