Green Bay Packers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Free-agent wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman (knee) is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Hardman will take his speed to the Packers while contributing both on offense and special teams as a kick returner. The 27-year-old former second-rounder (56th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 out of the University of Georgia caught only 12 of 14 targets for 90 yards and no touchdowns while carrying the ball five times for 62 yards and a touchdown in 12 regular-season games before suffering a knee injury in December that landed him on Injured Reserve. The Packers could use the receiver depth with Christian Watson (knee) likely to miss around half of the 2025 season, but Hardman could struggle for consistent involvement in Green Bay's offense, much like he did in KC, behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.

The Green Bay Packers agreed to re-sign kicker Brandon McManus on Tuesday to a three-year, $15.3 million deal, including a $5 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal was negotiated by Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. McManus joined the Packers midway through the 2024 and helped stabilize a position that had been a headache for the team ever since Mason Crosby left. The 33-year-old veteran made 20 of his 21 field-goal attempts, including all three from 50-plus yards out, and all 30 of his extra-point tries in 11 regular-season games. In the wild-card game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he made one of his two field goals and his only point-after attempt. Given the upside of Green Bay's offense with quarterback Jordan Love, McManus should enter the 2025 season as a fringe top-12 fantasy option, at worst.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (shoulder) said on locker cleanout day at the end of last season that he tore his labrum in the wild-card playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Brian Gutekunst said Reed could be limited during the offseason but should be fine for the start of training camp at the end of July. It was initially reported that the 24-year-old suffered a dislocated shoulder, but the good news is that he didn't require offseason surgery. In his second year in the NFL in 2024, Reed looked primed for his first 1,000-yard campaign early on, but he limped to the finish line and ended up with 55 catches on 75 targets for 857 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts). He also added 20 carries for 163 yards and another score. He's settled in as a boom/bust WR3/flex in fantasy, but he could have more upside with Christian Watson (knee) set to miss at least half of 2025.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that he doesn't think wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion) has any long-term concern with his head health despite the fact that he suffered multiple concussions in the second half of the 2024 season, including in the wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. "Any time a guy has a couple concussions back-to-back, there's some concern there, not necessarily his long-term liability or anything, just for him," Gutekunst said. "I would expect him to bounce back and be at his best." The 24-year-old took a step back in 2024 in his third year in the NFL, but it didn't help that he played in only 13 regular-season games (12 starts). After going for 674 receiving yards and eight TDs in 2023, Doubs finished with a 46-601-4 line. With Christian Watson (knee) expected to miss at least half the 2025 season, Doubs should be in line for an expanded role if he's healthy.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) had his ACL surgery and is expected to be back around the midway point of the 2025 season, according to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "Doing well. He's got a lot in front of him, but I expect him to attack it like he does everything else everything so far's been really good. He's been through this before, so he knows what to expect. It's a big injury. It may take some time, but he's got the right mindset, positive attitude toward it," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. The 25-year-old wideout tore his ACL in Week 18 against the Bears and finished his third year in the NFL with 29 catches (53 targets) for a career-high 620 receiving yards and a career-low two touchdowns in 15 starts. Known as a slow healer, it wouldn't be a surprise if Watson's recovery lingers into the second half. In standard 12-team leagues this fall, Watson will most likely go undrafted.