Fantasy Football

Jordan Love Fantasy Breakout Candidate in 2023?

By Lawrence Iacona

Posted on May 25, 2023

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Love Will Find A Way

During the 2019 season, the Green Bay Packers achieved a winning record of 13-3, making the playoffs once again. Unfortunately, Aaron Rodgers and company suffered an embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2020 NFC Championship. After the Packers lost the game, the franchise decided to focus on their future. On April 23, 2020, the organization shocked the world when they decided to draft former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the 26th overall pick in the NFL Draft. While Aaron Rodgers was the starting quarterback for the next three seasons, Love would take the opportunity of sitting behind the future hall of famer by learning and acquiring the most knowledge he possibly could. After the Packers went 8-9 missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018, the disgruntled star quarterback would ultimately request a trade. After Aaron Rodgers announced his request to be traded, head coach Matt LaFleur declared Jordan Love the team’s new starting quarterback. On April 24, 2023, the Packers agreed to send quarterback Aaron Rodgers and their 2023 first-round pick (No. 15) and a 2023 fifth-round pick (No. 170) to the Jets for New York’s 2023 first-round pick (No. 13), a 2023 second-round pick (No. 42), a 2023 sixth-round pick (No. 207) and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first if Rodgers plays 65 percent of the plays this season.

Post NFL Draft 2023

The Packers’ front office realized that if Jordan Love was to succeed, he would need additional offensive weapons. On April 28, 2023 (Draft Day) the organization selected tight end Luke Musgrave with the 42^nd overall pick from Oregon State University, wide receiver Jayden Reed with the 50^th overall pick from Michigan State University, and tight end Tucker Kraft with the 78^th overall pick from South Dakota State University.

Head coach Matt LaFleur will incorporate a new scheme into his playbook, including a two-tight end set. The selections of Musgrave and Kraft were excellent by the Packers’ front office as it gives the offense versatility and the chance to shine in both the passing and running game. I believe coach LaFleur is conforming to Love’s strengths as a passer. During Love’s college career, he was the most comfortable throwing to his tallest receivers. Ron’quavion Tarver was one of Love’s favorite receivers who was listed at 6’3” and weighed 215 lbs. Over the two years that Love was his starting quarterback (2017-2018), Tarver recorded 114 receptions for 1,278 yards, and scored 15 receiving touchdowns.

List of Packers depth chart

Position	Player	Height
Wide Receiver	Christian Watson	6’5”
Wide Receiver	Romeo Doubs	6’2”
Wide Receiver	Jayden Reed	5’11”
Wide Receiver	Samori Toure	6’1”
Tight End	Luke Musgrave	6’6”
Tight End	Tucker Kraft	6’5”

First Offseason as Starting Quarterback

On May 10^th during Love’s first press conference as the starting quarterback, he expressed his excitement in building chemistry and growing together with his teammates. While watching his press conference, he seemed relaxed and confident about the upcoming season. On May 22, 2023, OTA’s began for teams in the National Football League. Unfortunately, on the second day of OTA’s Love was rusty and finished 6-of-16 against a defense that lined up without starting cornerbacks Jaire Alexander and Rasul Douglas. Head coach Matt LaFleur stated, “A lot of good things and a lot to clean up, but we have yet to see what everybody else around him can do, too.” As a fantasy football team owner, keep an eye out on the young quarterback’s progression through the offseason, but as of now, he is only worth drafting late in redraft leagues as a backup quarterback. In dynasty leagues, he is worth drafting with a late-round pick in hopes that over time he will become a star player.

Fantasy Football Prediction

Even after reading about his performance at OTA’s, I’m not too concerned at the moment as it is still early in the offseason. In a matchup against the Eagles in week 12 of the 2022 season, Jordan Love had to come in to relieve Aaron Rodgers. Love finished the game with six completions on nine attempts, threw for 114 yards, and scored one touchdown. I understand that there is not enough tape on Love to get a completely accurate assessment of how he will perform this upcoming season. The only thing we can go by is the Eagles game last season where he looked poised and was unshaken by one of the best defenses in the league. I do expect the Packers to run the ball a lot more than they have done the previous years, so that will devalue Love’s fantasy value overall. Historically, first-year starting quarterbacks do not have a breakout year and they usually take about one to two additional years before doing so. Plus, Love and his receiving core are growing together as Watson, Doubs, and Toure are second-year players and Reed, Musgrave, and Kraft are rookies. Do I believe Jordan Love will break out this season? No, I do not. However, I believe he will put up solid numbers and contribute to the team’s success. He will most likely throw for around 3,000 – 3,300 yards and about 22 touchdowns with hopefully less than ten interceptions.