The Packers have built a strong core roster in recent years, mostly through good drafting and successful development.

While some of the players from the post-Aaron-Rodgers Packers have now become fully fledged veterans, looking to receive their second contracts in the league, there are still plenty of young players trying to fulfill their potential.

Among players who have played two years or fewer in the NFL, here are the players I believe to have the highest upside at each position:

Quarterback - Taylor Elgersma

Elgersma was not drafted, and was not even signed by Green Bay in their initial wave of UDFA additions, instead coming in for a tryout during minicamp, before eventually joining the team.

The Canadian quarterback chose the Pacers over other options such as the Bills or going to the CFL, citing the culture in Green Bay as a key reason for putting his development in their hands.

Sean Clifford is the only other QB on the roster who has not played at least three seasons, and while he could be a serviceable backup, he turns 27 this summer and essentially is what he is.

Coaches know an NFL arm when they see one, and Elgersma’s natural arm strength makes him an attractive developmental quarterback, who could eventually become a long-term backup.

Running back - MarShawn Lloyd

Lloyd’s rookie year was disrupted by injury, as the former USC back took only six carries in his lone appearance in 2024.

He is an explosive back, with the potential to bring a dangerous change of pace from Josh Jacobs’ more thumping style.

Compared to the other young backs on the roster, such as Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks, Amar Johnson and Jalen White, Lloyd has higher end traits and ultimately the highest upside.

Wide receiver - Matthew Golden

With Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs not eligible as they enter their fourth NFL seasons, Golden gets the nod.

There is a legitimate argument for either Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks or Savion Williams, three receivers with different intriguing skill sets, to be the choice here, and any of those three could end up being the best of this group.

However, by being the first receiver the Packers have selected in round one since 2002, Golden is by default the best receiver prospect the team has had since then.

He already has a well-rounded game, giving him a high floor, but the 4.29 speed shows his explosive upside to become an elite NFL receiver.

Tight end - Tucker Kraft

A year ago at this time, Luke Musgrave would probably have been the pick, and there is no doubt his rare speed at the tight end position still gives him real potential to break out, but through two seasons, it has not come together for the former second-round pick.

He has been unable to stay healthy, and Kraft, who is also a top tier athlete, has simply been the better, more complete player. Musgrave was always a projection coming out of college, and at this moment it seems unlikely he hits his ultimate upside.

Offensive line - Jordan Morgan

Another player whose rookie year was impacted by injury, Morgan looked potentially on course to win the right guard job over Sean Rhyan in his first season.

Anthony Belton is another candidate, but he is older than Morgan despite being drafted a year later, and does not have the same level of elite athleticism which should allow Morgan to become a long-term left tackle, giving the former first-round pick the higher value and upside.

Defensive line - Warren Brinson

There are not many options to choose from on the defensive line, a position most observers thought the Packers would address earlier in the NFL draft than the sixth round.

The defensive linemen flew off the board earlier than projected throughout the draft, and Green Bay ended up waiting to take Brinson, who is probably the highest upside player of their group of young players, over Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden and Nazir Stackhouse.

Brinson was not a full time player at Georgia due to the stacked defensive line group he consistently played in, but he flashed real potential as both a run defender and a pass rusher.

If he had transferred to another school and been ‘the guy’, he could have put up better numbers and probably been a higher draft pick. He may have to wait for opportunities in Green Bay, but it would not be surprising if Brinson is a better pro than college player.

EDGE - Lukas Van Ness

Van Ness’ first two seasons have not been what Packers fans hoped for when the team selected him with the 13th overall pick, but he has not been the disaster many people seem to think either.

He was arguably Green Bay’s most improved player in the back half of the season, is still young and has every athletic trait you could want in a pass rusher.

This year is massively important for him, but he has the highest upside of a group of young rushers who are likely to be career rotational or ‘number three’ EDGEs, such as Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr., Collin Oliver and Arron Mosby.

Linebacker - Edgerrin Cooper

Cooper burst onto the scene as a rookie, getting better every week after dealing with injuries early on, and was possibly the team’s best overall defender in 2024.

He has put on weight this offseason in an attempt to hold up against the rigors of an NFL season, which should benefit him moving forward. Cooper displayed his electrifying potential as a rookie, and the sky's the limit for him.

Cornerback - Carrington Valentine

Valentine had a rough game in the Wild Card loss to the Eagles, but was coming along nicely in the back half of the season.

He has had some real highs in his two NFL seasons so far, has prototypical size and athleticism to be a starting outside corner, and is still only 23 years old. He certainly has more upside than the other young corners on the team; Kalen King, Kamal Hadden and Micah Robinson.

Safety - Javon Bullard

Of the three safeties Green Bay drafted in 2024, Evan Williams stole the headlines with some impressive early displays.

He played better football than Bullard overall, but the former Georgia defensive back does not get enough credit for the important role he played in the Packers defense. Being asked to move around as much as he did is not something usually trusted to a rookie, and Bullard survived.

Williams should be a solid starting free safety for a long time, but Bullard’s ability to play multiple spots in the secondary gives him the higher upside if he can settle in and develop after an unprecedented rookie year in terms of usage.