5 Packers who are playing their way out of the team's 2024 plans

Christian Watson

Christian Watson was just a second-round pick last year, and he came from an FCS program, so I think some additional patience might be required in his case. Heck, it wasn't until his fifth NFL season that Davante Adams finally eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving. You never know when that breakthrough is going to come.

But in the case of Christian Watson, it's a combination of ability and availability. The former second-rounder has been impactful when given opportunities, but some Packers fans are starting to compare him to Will Fuller, the oft-injured former Houston Texans receiver whose career was plagued by injuries.

Watson has played in just five games this year, and while the talent is there, consistency is not. The Packers have been increasing Dontayvion Wicks's reps substantially in recent weeks, and Jayden Reed has emerged as a more consistent threat in the passing game. Watson might play his way into being an offseason trade candidate at this rate.

Darnell Savage

Darnell Savage is a free agent after the 2023 season, and it's probably just as well. The Packers are getting an extended look at a lot of their young players in the secondary right now, and if those young players step up, there might not be a place for Savage really even this season.

But it might be time for a change of scenery for Savage, just in general. His productivity has dropped off just about every year since 2021, and his development may have hit a plateau in Green Bay. He's been on IR since Week 8 and I think he may need a one-year prove-it deal after this season to rehab his overall value outside of Green Bay.