Top 10 most important players on Packers roster in 2024, ranked

The Green Bay Packers' roster underwent a successful retooling of talent this past season. In a year in which the organization moved on from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, there were many question marks regarding the team's future, and the franchise's overall success going forward was in serious doubt.

After a season that exceeded all expectations, falling just short of the NFC Championship game, Green Bay is highly regarded around the NFL. The Packers are fortunate enough to have numerous leaders on both sides of the ball who helped elevate this team to the next level on and off the field.

Here are the top 10 Packers for the 2024 season based on a combination of talent, value, and leadership.

Ranking the 10 most important Packers players in 2024

10. Keisean Nixon

It is important to recognize that Keisean Nixon is currently slated to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. However, his importance to the Packers' organization cannot be understated. After receiving 36 of the 50 first-place votes, Nixon was named a first-team All-Pro for the second consecutive season.

His electric speed from the kick-returning position provides a spark on special teams that Green Bay has not seen for decades. Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs returned (30) and kick return yards (782) in 2023. Along with his abilities in the return game, Nixon has been serviceable as a starting slot cornerback, making his most impactful play on defense against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he intercepted quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter.

With his strong locker room presence and performances on the field, the Packers would be fortunate to have Nixon on their team for years to come.

9. Romeo Doubs

In crucial moments during the Packers' season, when a play had to be made, the offense often looked to Romeo Doubs. His sure-handed abilities and explosive route running allowed him to tally 59 receptions for 674 yards and eight touchdowns. With wide receivers such as Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks both being in and out of the lineup throughout the season, Doubs provided stability in the youngest receiving corps in the NFL.

Finishing the season strong with 234 yards and a score in the postseason, Doubs will look to grow on what he can mark off as a successful sophomore season.

8. Zach Tom

The remarkable job Zach Tom has done along the offensive line for the Green Bay Packers cannot go unnoticed. As a rookie in 2022, Tom showed why he was a steal in the draft, playing nearly 500 snaps while playing at every position on the offensive line except center.

This year, Tom showed that he is blossoming into one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL. Playing against superstar talents such as Micah Parsons and Nick Bosa, edge rushers found little success against Tom. For a player who does not have elite size or athleticism, Tom continues to get the job done in the Packers' rushing and passing systems while committing just three penalties in 2023. It is safe to say the Packers found another diamond in the rough who is now the franchise's right tackle of the future.

7. Quay Walker

Now two years removed from being selected 22nd overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Quay Walker has emerged as the leader in the middle of the Packers' defense. After leading the Packers in total tackles in both of his first two seasons as a pro, the former Georgia Bulldog will look to continue with his impressive tackling numbers in 2024.

As a player who has shown flashes of being an elite linebacker, it is understandable why the Packers are expected to carve out such a significant role for him going forward.

6. Elgton Jenkins

It is always thought that they are doing something right if you are not hearing an offensive lineman's name while watching a broadcast. Left guard Elgton Jenkins has been an elite guard since entering the league in 2019, and his name was minimally brought up over any broadcast this season. His stability at the position has provided the opportunity for the Packers to have elite offenses for the fair majority of Jenkins' career.

Jenkins' versatility also cannot be ignored, even though his primary focus has always been left guard. Logging significant snaps at the center, guard, and tackle positions and doing so at such a high level so early in his career is very revealing in terms of Jenkins' flexibility and competitiveness on the field.

5. Kenny Clark

Longtime Packer Kenny Clark has always been a player the Packers can rely on, and that continued in 2023. Clark remains an elite defensive tackle and is always a problem for opposing offenses. Drafted 27th overall in the 2016 draft, Clark has consistently been able to stop the run and get pressure on quarterbacks year in and year out.

Being one of the longest-tenured Packers, Clark is a vocal leader on defense and always ensures the defense provides a spark when needed. Although it may not always appear on the stat sheet, Clark's presence is felt in every game. Turning 29 this coming October, Clark will be coming off of career highs in sacks (7.5) and quarterback hits (16). With no signs of slowing down, Clark will look to continue his dominance in 2024, with his eyes still on reaching his first Super Bowl.

4. Jaire Alexander

Aside from an elite quarterback, it is a common opinion that a lockdown cornerback is the most essential part of a football team. The Packers are fortunate enough to have ended up with one of the league's finest in Jaire Alexander.

Alexander has excellent ball skills and can always get his hands around the football to make a play. As well as Alexander is with the ball in the air, he is also an excellent tackler, constantly blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage and giving the occasional big hit to set the tone. With Alexander's excellent football IQ and physical tools, his play on the field speaks for itself.

The only thing keeping Alexander from being higher on this list is his inability to stay on the field in 2023 and an issue off the field. Aside from dealing with a shoulder injury that kept Jaire sidelined for six straight games, Alexander had an issue regarding a coin toss against the Panthers in Week 16. Alexander decided to assign himself as the captain and carelessly called the coin toss when it was never his place to do so. As a result, Alexander was suspended by the Packers organization for one game.

The All-Pro cornerback out of Louisville is still among the best in the NFL, and it appears any drama off the field is water under the bridge. Alexander is the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history and will remain in Green Bay for years to come.

3. Jordan Love

Jordan Love's first year as a starting quarterback in the NFL was nothing short of exceptional. In a season where almost every analyst, reporter, and expert had little to no belief in him, Love silenced the doubters in terrific fashion. After starting slow, Love and the Packers appeared to catch their stride in Week 11 in Detroit on Thanksgiving. In a 29-22 win over the Lions, Love threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns while securing a passer rating of 125.5.

Love led the Packers to impressive wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears on their way to the postseason. From Week 10 to the end of the regular season, Love was playing as well as any quarterback in the NFL, throwing for 18 touchdowns with just one interception in that span. The former first-round pick finished the regular season with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while throwing for 4,159 yards.

After blowing out the Cowboys in the wild-card round, Love and the Packers fell just short to a familiar foe in the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. Without a doubt, Love has all the potential in the world to solidify himself as an elite quarterback. Somehow, some way, the Packers did it again.

2. Rashan Gary

As Matt LaFleur said best, "I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't go to war with this dude."

Simply put, Rashan Gary is a game wrecker off the edge and has been for years now. Gary uses his power and speed to beat offensive linemen inside and out and consistently can put pressure on the quarterback to effect the throw. Coming off a torn ACL in 2022, Gary only tallied nine sacks in 2023 but has had an astounding pressure rate since his breakout season near the end of 2021.

The reason Gary is so high on the list, aside from his outstanding play, is that he is truly the leader of this defense. The former Michigan Wolverine has transformed into someone who brings a level of energy to the Packers that no one else brings. No matter where Gary lines up, opposing teams better keep an eye on number 52. Gary is part of the heart and soul of Green Bay, looking to sack the quarterback on every snap.

1. Aaron Jones

Many may be surprised to see a running back at the top of this list, but when stepping back to look at this Green Bay Packers team from top to bottom, Aaron Jones is the most valuable player on the Packers. When you think of loyalty in Green Bay, you think of the superstar running back known to many as "Showtyme."

Jones was in and out of the lineup for much of the 2023 season, dealing with a hamstring injury sustained in Week 1. Jones, who had 127 all-purpose yards in the opener, was vital to the offense's immediate success in the new era. As the season progressed, it became clear that much of the Packers' success depended on Jones being in the lineup.

Without Jones at full strength in 2023, the Packers finished the regular season just 4-8, and the offense ultimately struggled. With Jones at full strength, the team was a perfect 5-0 in the regular season. In the stretch at the end of the season where the Packers were playing their best football, it is no surprise that Jones was not just playing his best football of the season, but the best football of his career.

Including the postseason, Jones finished the season with five straight games accumulating over 100 rushing yards. Despite the San Francisco 49ers not allowing a 100-yard rusher for 44 consecutive games, Jones was able to put an end to that streak in the divisional round.

This Packers team is not the same team without Jones on the field, and it has been proven repeatedly as he continues to show that he embodies all of what it means to be a Green Bay Packer. He is the best player on offense, a fan favorite on and off the field, and the Packers' greatest leader.

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