5 Packers Who Deserve More Playing Time in Playoffs

The Green Bay Packers will be searching for a spark when they head to Philadelphia to face the Eagles in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

The odds aren’t in their favor. The Packers already lost to the Eagles in Week 1 and have gone a combined 0-5 against the NFC’s top three teams this season. They limp into the postseason on a two-game losing streak and are dealing with significant injuries—Christian Watson is out for the season, and Jordan Love is battling nerve issues in his throwing elbow.

To have any chance at leaving Philadelphia victorious, Green Bay will need new contributors to emerge and deliver when it matters most.

Here are five Packers who should see increased playing time in the playoffs to help the team overcome the odds.

1. Kitan Oladapo – S

The Packers struck gold last offseason with the signing of Xavier McKinney to anchor their secondary. McKinney didn’t just lead the league with eight interceptions, but he also brought durability and consistency, starting all 17 games.

His presence provided much-needed stability as Green Bay’s other safety position became a revolving door.

Kitan Oladapo, Evan Williams, Zayne Anderson, and Javon Bullard all took significant snaps at safety this season. With Williams likely sidelined for the Wild Card matchup against the Eagles, the Packers should turn to Oladapo to step up in the postseason.

Oladapo has been a steady presence in his limited opportunities, showing an ability to complement McKinney’s playmaking. His physicality near the line of scrimmage adds an extra layer to Green Bay’s run defense, something they’ll need against a dynamic Eagles offense that thrives on versatility.

Perhaps more importantly, Oladapo’s inclusion allows Green Bay to maximize its secondary alignment.

With him at safety, Javon Bullard can slide into the slot, keeping Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon on the outside. It’s a configuration that minimizes moving parts and puts players in the best position to succeed.

The playoffs are all about seizing opportunities, and Oladapo’s strong finish to the regular season has earned him the chance to make an impact when it matters most.

2. Malik Heath – WR

The Packers’ passing game took a major hit with Watson’s season-ending ACL tear in the regular-season finale. Watson was Green Bay’s primary deep threat, and his absence leaves a glaring hole in an already inconsistent offense.

The pressure now shifts to the trio of Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Jayden Reed, who each bring unique skills but will need to collectively elevate their play to stabilize the passing attack.

However, the Packers can’t lean entirely on those three. Depth and versatility will be key, and that’s where Malik Heath enters the conversation.

Next up on the depth chart is Bo Melton. However, both Melton and Reed are undersized, and head coach Matt LaFleur asks his wide receivers to do a lot of run blocking. It’s a tough ask to have both Reed and Melton on the perimeter blocking in the running or short passing game.

That’s why Heath should leapfrog Melton on the depth chart and slot in as Green Bay’s fourth receiver. He’s already shown a willingness—and ability—to embrace the physical, gritty aspects of the position. Heath thrives in the dirty work: sealing the edge, creating running lanes, and delivering consistent blocks in the short passing game.

Heath’s contributions aren’t limited to his blocking. He’s flashed reliable hands in his limited opportunities, showing he can be a dependable target in key moments. In the playoffs, where every detail matters, his ability to impact both the run and pass game could be the difference in sustaining drives and keeping the offense on schedule.

The Packers will miss Watson’s explosiveness, but Heath’s toughness and versatility might be exactly what Green Bay needs to keep their offense balanced and competitive.

3. Brenton Cox Jr. – LB

If the Packers want to make noise in the playoffs, their pass rush needs to show up in a big way. This unit has delivered some highs this season, but too often has gone quiet in the games Green Bay needed the most. That inconsistency can’t carry into the postseason.

Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark will remain the focal points of opposing offensive lines. While their production this season hasn’t always matched their reputations, both remain Green Bay’s most dangerous pass-rushers and will draw significant attention from blockers.

Behind them, the Packers rely on a committee approach that features TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, Arron Mosby, Edgerrin Cooper, and, if healthy, Brenton Cox Jr.

Cox has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Packers this season.

After not making an appearance during the first 10 weeks of the season, the undrafted second-year pro made an immediate impact when thrust into action. Over his final seven games, Cox tallied 17 total pressures and four sacks—impressive numbers for a player still finding his footing.

While he missed the regular-season finale against Chicago due to injury, the hope is that Cox will be ready for the Wild Card clash in Philadelphia. If he is, he could play a pivotal role in Green Bay’s pass-rushing rotation.

The playoffs are a stage for game-changers, and Cox has the chance to cement his place in Green Bay’s plans with a strong performance. If he can build on his late-season success, the Packers’ pass rush could become a legitimate problem for Philadelphia and beyond.

4. Luke Musgrave – TE

If Green Bay is looking to replace Watson’s ability to stretch the field, they may find their answer in an unexpected place: tight end Luke Musgrave.

While Tucker Kraft is likely to see the lion’s share of snaps at the position, Musgrave offers a unique skill set that could add a new dimension to the Packers’ offense.

Kraft has solidified his role as a dependable blocker and a dynamic playmaker after the catch. He’s not afraid to mix it up in the trenches and has proven himself a reliable target for Jordan Love.

But what Musgrave brings is different—and potentially game-changing.

With his rare size-speed combination, he’s a mismatch waiting to happen against safeties and linebackers. Few tight ends possess the ability to stretch the field vertically like Musgrave. If LaFleur leans into two-tight-end sets, Musgrave could create opportunities not only for himself but for the rest of the offense.

Musgrave has the ability to run up the seam, force defenders to respect his ability to get deep, and open up underneath routes for Doubs, Reed, or even Kraft. It’s a scenario that could keep defenses on their heels and give Love the breathing room he needs to make quick decisions.

Musgrave has been gradually working his way back into form after an ankle injury sidelined him earlier in the season. His snap counts have increased steadily over the last three weeks—eight snaps in Week 16, 12 in Week 17, and 17 in Week 18. That trend suggests he’s ready for a larger role in the playoffs, potentially seeing a workload in the 20-snap range.

In a playoff game where every edge matters, Musgrave’s ability to create mismatches and challenge defenses vertically could be the X-factor Green Bay needs to pull off an upset in Philadelphia.

5. Edgerrin Cooper – LB

It may have taken nearly the entire regular season, but Edgerrin Cooper has finally broken into a full-time role on the Packers’ defense—and just in time for the playoffs.

After playing more than 50 snaps in just one game during the first 16 weeks, Cooper has logged 57 or more snaps in each of Green Bay’s last two contests.

And he’s making the most of his opportunity. Cooper isn’t perfect—he’s a rookie after all—but his knack for splash plays has been impossible to ignore.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has tapped into Cooper’s potential as a pass-rusher from the middle of the defense. Over the last four weeks, Cooper has tallied six pressures and one sack, showcasing his ability to disrupt quarterbacks from unconventional angles. Hafley has used him creatively, sending him on blitzes that exploit his speed and instincts to get into the backfield.

Cooper’s impact doesn’t stop there.

Against the run, he’s been equally impressive. His ability to diagnose plays, locate the ballcarrier, and bring him down in space has been a game-changer for Green Bay’s defense. Over the past four games, he’s amassed an eye-popping 22 combined stops, solidifying his role as a key contributor.

The potential return of Quay Walker, who was playing the best football of his career before his injury, shouldn’t diminish Cooper’s playing time. Instead, the two linebackers should share the field, creating a dynamic pairing capable of wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.

As the Packers head into the playoffs, Cooper’s emergence gives their defense a much-needed spark. His blend of pass-rushing prowess and run-stopping ability could prove pivotal against a high-powered Eagles offense, and he has the chance to establish himself as a cornerstone of Green Bay’s defense for years to come.