The Packers' Fountain of Youth at Wide Receiver
The future looks bright for the wide receiver room, but could more reinforcements be on the way?
By rex.sheild
After general manager Brian Gutekunst traded away All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason, it is not far off to conclude that Gutekunst thought that the whole would be greater than the sum of its parts. Sure, the group did not feature anyone as elite as Adams, but they had depth and young guns eager to prove themselves. Things didn't go as planned this past season.
Adams registered 141 receiving yards in Week 1, which was 21 more yards than the Packer wide receivers had combined for that same week, and he would go on to finish with 100 receptions for 1,516 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2022. Meanwhile, the Packers’ two leading wide receivers in 2022, Allen Lazard (788 yards) and Christian Watson (611 yards), combined for less than Adams’ total receiving yards.
Since Rodgers became the starter in 2008, he has not had a worst No.1 wide receiver in terms of single-season receiving yards than he did in 2022. Before last season, the lowest figure occurred in 2017 (885 yards by Adams), but Rodgers missed 9 games. The next lowest figure came in the 2015 season, in which James Jones led the team with 890 receiving yards.
Injuries were a major reason for the lack of productivity by the wide receivers, as there was not a single wide receiver that played in all 17 games. Lazard played in 15 games, the most among the group, followed by Watson (14), Romeo Doubs (13), and Randall Cobb (13). Youth played a factor as well in explaining the lack of productivity by the group. But despite the injuries and youth, the rookies in particular showed flashes throughout the season that should elicit optimism for the future of the position.
Doubs, a fourth-round selection, finished his rookie campaign with 42 receptions for 425 yards, and three touchdowns. The Nevada product was the 19th wide receiver selected in last year’s NFL Draft, but he outperformed his draft slot, finishing third among rookie wide receivers in receptions, fourth in targets, fifth in touchdowns, and sixth in yards. Given how well he performed during the preseason and training camp, head coach Matt LaFleur designated plays where Doubs was the primary option early on in the season, including Week 3 against the Buccaneers. He registered a team-high eight receptions and 73 yards for one touchdown in the victory.
However, Doubs’ production in the subsequent games was inconsistent. After registering zero receptions (four targets) in Week 7 against the Commanders, he bounced back with four receptions (seven targets) for 62 yards against the Bills. In Week 9 against the Lions, he finished with zero receptions after he left the game in the opening moments with an ankle sprain that caused him to miss the next four games. He made an impact in his first game back by catching all five of his targets for 55 yards against the Rams in Week 15, but he only produced 56 combined yards in the final three games, including a goose egg in the season finale.
The rookie wideout also struggled with drops, some of which occurred in key spots, including one against the Patriots that was dropped in the end zone and two against the Lions. He finished the season with a 63% catch rate, 50th among all wide receivers with a minimum of 50 targets.
“It was a tough year. I don’t know how to feel about it, but again, all I can do is just move on forward and just get better,” Doubs said after the season.
Watson, the seventh receiver and 34th overall player selected in the NFL Draft, was the bell of the ball among the team’s 2022 draft selections. Among rookie wide receivers, he finished tied for first in touchdowns (7), third in yards (611), and fifth in targets (66) and receptions (41). He also had produced nine total touchdowns, tied for the most among all rookies. Most impressive, he finished with 9.3 yards per target and 2.26 yards per route run, proving how efficient the North Dakota State product was when he was on the field. As Zach Kruse of Packers Wire pointed out here, only 10 rookies since 2013 (and five since 2019) with at least 50 targets have averaged at least 9.0 yards per target and at least 2.0 yards per route run: Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp, Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr., Keenan Allen, and Watson.
And while many rookies hit the proverbial rookie wall late in the season, Watson ascended. From Week 10 to Week 18, Watson had 31 receptions for 523 yards and eight touchdowns. And over that eight-game stretch, per Kruse, he averaged 10.1 yards per target and 2.58 yards per route run. Similar to Doubs, though, Watson missed time due to injury (soft-tissue injuries are particularly concerning) and struggled with drops, finishing the season ranked 53rd in catch rate (62%) among wide receivers with at least 50 targets. Despite that, head coach Matt LaFleur had high praise for the man that he described as “a legitimate home-run threat” and “an extremely intelligent player,” acknowledging that “if [Watson] approaches the offseason the way I think he’ll approach it, I think we’re going to see an even better version of him next year.”
The Packers will surely need a better version of Watson in the 2023 season because the wide receiver room, as of right now, only has five wide receivers under contract, as my colleague Wendell Ferreira pointed out: Watson, Doubs, Samori Toure, Bo Melton, and Jeff Cotton.
I expect Lazard to aggressively explore the free-agent market, particularly because the free-agent wide receiver class lacks top-end talent. The class, judged by 2022 production, is led by Kansas City Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (78 receptions, 933 yards, 3 TDs), New England Patriots WR Jakobi Myers (67 receptions, 804 yards, 6 TDs), Lazard, New York Giants WR Darius Slayton (46 receptions, 724 yards, 2 TDs), and Las Vegas Raiders WR Mack Hollins (57 receptions, 690 yards, 4 TDs). Odell Beckham Jr. is also a free agent, though he missed the entire 2022 season after suffering a knee injury in the Super Bowl. In addition to the aforementioned players, Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins is reportedly on the trading block and New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas is reportedly a candidate to either get cut or traded.
If Lazard returns to the Packers, the team’s current cap space suggests Lazard will return on a team-friendly deal. (For what it is worth, Pro Football Focus projected that Lazard will receive a three-year, $33-million deal, with $21.5 million guaranteed.) If Lazard opts to wear a new uniform next year, the Packers will need to fill that hole, and also the hole left by Cobb, whom I believe the Packers will not re-sign if Aaron Rodgers is not under center.
Thus, signing at least one wide receiver via free agency seems like a sure bet. Let’s just hope that the signing produces more return than what Sammy Watkins delivered in 2022. The team’s lone wide receiver free agent signing registered 13 receptions (22 targets) for 206 yards and zero touchdowns in nine games, with 93 of those yards coming against the Bears in Week 2. The Packers released Watkins before the team’s Week 15 contest.
Drafting at least one wide receiver also seems like a sure bet. Frankly, I would not be surprised to see Gutekunst take a page out of his 2022 draft book and draft multiple wide receivers.
As far as first-round mock drafts are concerned, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com had four wide receivers going in the first round in his latest mock draft; Mel Kiper of ESPN.com also had four receivers; Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com mocked three wide receivers in the first round; and Dane Brugler of The Athletic had 10 wide receivers taken in the first two rounds of his latest mock draft, including three in the first round. In fact, in a hypothetical trade with the Lions – Green Bay would trade its first-round pick (No. 15 overall) for the Lions’ first-round pick (No. 18) and their second-round pick (No. 48) – he mocked Wake Forest wide receiver A.T. Perry to the Packers at No. 48 overall.
The wide receiver class as a whole is considered to feature talent past the first two rounds. Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed and Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson are two examples of projected Day 2 or Day 3 picks, both of whom have put on impressive showings at the Senior Bowl thus far, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay and Jordan Reid, respectively. For those clamoring for Green Bay to draft a wide receiver in the first round, if history is any indication, don’t hold your breath, especially since the team has more pressing, glaring issues to address. Rest assured, though, the Packers need more weapons on the outside, regardless of the quarterback under center.
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Rex is a lifelong Packers fan but was sick of the cold, so he moved to the heart of Cowboys country. Follow him on Twitter (@Sheild92) and Instagram (@rex.sheild).
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Comments (61)
PackEyedOptimist
February 03, 2023 at 12:47 pm
There are quite a few good WR prospects in this draft, so I wouldn’t sign a free agent until after the draft.
I’d love to get Quentin Johnston, to get a second number one WR, but quite a few will be good number two WRs.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 12:54 pm
If we are looking at first-round WRs, he and Jaxon Smith-Njigba of Ohio St. are the two guys I like.
JSN was INSANE with the Buckeyes, leading the team in receptions/receiving yards in 2021 even WITH Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson on the roster. He's also a decent blocker, too. We need a new slot presence to replace what Randall Cobb brought to this team.
Another option toward the end of the first round, if we decide to trade down (or up) is Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee. He is a speedster, and the stacked 2022 Alabama secondary had no answer for him. He ran a 4.29(!) 40, and he and Watson would be a DEADLY duo. He, also, is a decent blocker too.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 12:51 pm
For WR, I would target Cedric Tillman of Tennessee and Rashee Rice of SMU in the second round. Both I think fit the Packers' prototype WR and would be excellent additions opposite Watson and Doubs.
As far as first-round receivers go, I would target Quentin Johnston of TCU, Jaxon Smith-Njigba of Ohio St. and Jalin Hyatt of Tennessee. Hyatt would probably go later in round 1 (or perhaps very early in round 2), though.
However, I think our primary focus as far as pass catchers go needs to be at TE. Look at the Chiefs - Juju Smith Schuster is their #1 WR, but their offense revolves around Travis Kelce. Do you think Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk of the 49ers would be as impactful if a guy like George Kittle wasn't there? Is it a coincidence that the Eagles play their best offensive football when Dallas Goedert is on the field?
For TEs, I would target one of Michael Mayer (traditional in-line), Dalton Kincaid (receiving), or Tucker Kraft (hybrid) in rounds one and two. I would also look at making a later-round addition at TE as well. Noah Gindorff of North Dakota St (blocker), Josh Whyle of Cincinnati (receiver), Kemore Gamble of UCF (receiver) and Luke Schoonmaker of Michigan (traditional) are all guys I would target in the 4th-5th rounds.
Another option at TE could be Tyler Conklin. He was a longtime Viking, but is currently a Jet. I could see him coming over to GB as part of a potential Rodgers trade to NY. He is a good blocker and safety-value receiver and could be an excellent #2 TE, but his acquisition shouldn't stop us from investing premium draft capital into the TE position.
Years of mid-late round picks and second-rate free agent signings have not yielded any significant results for the TE position. It is time for us to take advantage of, by far, one of the best TE classes in a long time and invest in a long-term solution for the position. Having an impact TE will open up new possibilities for our offense (and hopefully improve our red-zone scoring, as an impact TE can go a LONG way in the red zone).
mnbadger
February 03, 2023 at 01:28 pm
All I can offer to the article and above comments is that TE is indeed a need, though we have many needs. In no particular order, S, OLB, TE, RB, WR, DL, K, etc.
A trade of qb1 would allow us to address all of the above with fairly talented rookies and a few plug and play veteran FA's or trade acquisitions.
A great time of year to be a GM as the possibilities are bountiful.
We fans will support whatever you decide to do BG!
. . . so long as you trade AR1 in an effort to address the holes that are keeping us out of serious SB consideration.
Good luck.
GPG!
Nate-1980
February 08, 2023 at 03:20 am
Speak for yourself mnbadger, I don’t fully support bg in anything, he’s the major liability of this franchise.. Everyone blames everyone and everything on something else and gives him a free pass, doesn’t make any sense at all..
crayzpackfan
February 03, 2023 at 01:34 pm
"After general manager Brian Gutekunst traded away All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason" JESUS!!
I'll keep this short. But why does everyone keep saying GB traded DA away? He did not wanna come back here. What Gute did was get f'n draft capital for a guy who wanted out. Between this site and every MSM hack on cable, this false narrative needs to come full stop.
Just say that in spite of DA not wanting to come back to the Packers, Gute pulled off an amazing deal to get a 1 pick for a guy who was leaving anyway.
Heyward
February 03, 2023 at 03:18 pm
There was nothing amazing about the deal. A late 1 and a late 2 for the best WR in the league was hardly a coup.
BirdDogUni
February 03, 2023 at 08:03 pm
Better than a poke in the eye with sharp stick...
CheesedDeadHead
February 03, 2023 at 03:33 pm
"I'll keep this short. But why does everyone keep saying GB traded DA away?"
Well the Packers attached a franchise tag to him so the only way he plays in 2022 was to play for the Packers unless they traded him. Sure he could sit out, but that doesn't get the player much. Teams trade players all the time for various reasons (including a player demand), but they are still "trades" no matter what the underlying reason.
The fact the Packers could get a 1 and 2 pick from a situation where the player only wanted to go to 1 team was pretty good.
Leatherhead
February 03, 2023 at 01:56 pm
You need The Guy: Maybe Watson.
You need healthy guys to line up with him in two and 3 WR sets. Doubs is probably one of them. Maybe Toure or Melton. We could use another guy. A good one, in case Watson can't play. I, too, have looked at Cedric Tillman and try to take him late in the second round in my simulations. Compared to last year, the draft doesn't look as full of big WRs as it did last year, and yes, I'm biased in that regard.
Starting training camp with Watson, Doubs, Tillman, Toure, and Melton wouldn't be the worst possible situation, if they're all healthy.
The other obvious opportunity to improve our receiving situation is at TE, and I routinely take Darnell Washington, because I like TEs who can get their man blocked, and I prioritize their blocking over their pass receiving skill. To me, it's a two-fer. You improve your receiver situation at TE, and you also improve the Oline
I had pretty close to my dream mock draft this morning. As usual, I traded down with the Cardinals and got their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round pick, giving me six in the top 115, beginning with #34. The first 3?
#34....Branch, Safety
#45....Darnell Washington, TE
#66....Cedric Tillman, WR
Coldworld
February 03, 2023 at 02:10 pm
I’d be very happy with those 3 to start. Much as I’d like another WR, we have to do something at S and TE and most of all, we need growth from the youth, which includes Melton, even though we poached him rather than picking him. I think Edge and maybe DL could be among the first 4 picks though, possibly pushing receiver back. One reason why I’d also look to trade back to get another early pick, potentially.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 02:27 pm
I see our 4 biggest needs as, in order, TE, S, Edge, and WR. Those should be our first four picks. I really like Lukas Van Ness of Iowa a lot and Will McDonald of Iowa St, too. Brian Branch and JL Skinner are my favorite safeties.
stockholder
February 03, 2023 at 03:15 pm
@15 Nolan Smith- Edge
Love his film. Versatility. Gets off!
@45 Should be JL Skinner-
Just a bigger tougher safety.
In the 3rd. Another safety
would work. Preference DL.
So Edge ,S, S.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 02:26 pm
Brian Branch won’t fall to 34th overall. I like Washington a lot, but I have some injury concerns with him - they have been an issue throughout college. If you want good blocking and receiving, look at Michael Mayer. He is the full, complete package. He can block his man and receive very well. Reminds me of Gronk a lot.
Also, do you mean the best or the worst possible situation up there?
Leatherhead
February 03, 2023 at 02:52 pm
I've done quite a few simulations while pretending to watch Hallmark. More than I'd like to admit. Branch is frequently available at #34. The other guy, from A&M..Antonio Johnson, is the other safety that is most often available at #34.
Mayer is a tempting target. He is. If he were on the board at #34, I'd have to think long and hard. He rarely is.
xxxxxx
Best or Worst? If you're referring to our WR unit for next year, I'd call it most probable. It certainly looks like you'd want to feed Watson, and when you add that in to the touches for the RBs and TEs it isn't going to leave many opportunities for the other guys. Doubs, Toure, Tillman, Melton........if Watson stays healthy, they'll do.
stockholder
February 03, 2023 at 03:20 pm
Branch is good, But he's too soft.
And how many Bama guys do
you want to fail?
Time to take Tougher guys.
Johnson is dropping do to speed concerns.
LLCHESTY
February 03, 2023 at 03:41 pm
"Johnson is dropping do to speed concerns."
What?? Might want to wait until after the combine to come up with something like that.
Leatherhead
February 03, 2023 at 04:53 pm
I , too, have dropped do .
When the consensus among draft professionals is that a guy is a Top 50 talent, that carries some weight with me. When you hear over and over that a guy is one of the top players at his position in the country, I kind of assume he's one of the best players at his position in the country.
PackEyedOptimist
February 03, 2023 at 03:51 pm
I finally succumbed and began doing simulations two days ago. :-D
I've also gained some more "crushes." Right now I'd the crush-list includes these:
WR Quentin Johnson-- Paired with Watson we'd have two #1 WRs, which is the trend
ED Andre Carter-- His play reminds me SO much of Ted Hendricks! Go Mad Stork #2!
RB/Slot WR Jahmyr Gibbs-- Crazy elusive, great hands, stronger than you expect
TE Dalton Kincaid-- NO one's even close to him in this draft as a potential star receiver.
QB Tanner McKee-- If he's there in the 3rd, I'd probably take him; Love needs a backup
RB Tank Bigsby-- Runs like an Aaron Jones clone
WR A.T. Perry-- Mr. Smooth/Cool. I have an inkling that he's going to be a great pro.
RB DeWane McBride-- Has that "IT factor." Tremendous vision and block-following sense
RB Devon Achane has afterburner speed that he kicks in; could be a great returner
DL Gervon Dexter-- Fantastic at disengaging from blocks
That's a lot of crushes for this early! :-D
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 05:57 pm
Johnston is a guy I love. Carter is also a great prospect, although I think he's committed to the Army, isn't he? J
ahmyr Gibbs is a great prospect, but can he block? I don't know if we should pick a RB that high (he's expected to be late 1st/early 2nd) when we have so many other needs and when the RB class is so deep.
McBride is the real deal. Love him. Achane is short and injury-prone - not too crazy about him.
Kincaid reminds me SO much of Travis Kelce. I LOVE him also.
Perry has good size and a ridiculous catch radius, but he doesn't have much run after the catch. I think he's good, not great.
Dexter is awesome as well.
I love this initial list!
stockholder
February 05, 2023 at 07:12 am
TE Dalton Kincaid-- NO one's even close to him
in this draft as a potential star receiver.
Kincaid is top 50.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 05:54 pm
Forget about simulations - I'm talking about in real life. All of the mock drafts online don't have Branch falling out of round 1. It's just not going to happen.
Michael Mayer is a guy we should seriously consider taking with our FIRST round pick - or one of them, if we end up with multiple. He is INCREDIBLE. Mayer is not falling past the mid 20s, at very least either
Nate-1980
February 08, 2023 at 03:30 am
Yeah just like the receivers did this year, you people are delusional to think that our wrs were good this year and just relying on second year jumps will work..Maybe that’s why most on here think Gute is a good gm, you all think the same dumb crap..
Heyward
February 03, 2023 at 03:20 pm
I can tell already that Bo Melton will be this offseason’s Tyler Davis.
Coldworld
February 04, 2023 at 08:43 am
Melton is an interesting slot candidate with legitimate short and long speed. He would have been a legitimate pick up if we didn’t have Amari. We don’t now, of course, and he lost out on a roster spot Seattle due to injury in camp and other guys who also look to have potential. A good “extra draft pick” snaffled up by Gute in effect. He should be part of the preseason mix and given a chance. He hopefully uses the off-season to add some upper body strength to better match a powerful lower half. A good guy with the ball in hand. But an extra 3rd day draft pick is how to look at him.
PackEyedOptimist
February 03, 2023 at 03:57 pm
The simulations are fun but ridiculous...
I did one where I traded an early 5th rounder for the Bears 1st rounder next year! :-D
Had one this morning where Jalen Carter dropped to 15! Yes, Thank you! (Got TE Kincaid, QB McKee, WR Perry, OL Oluwatimi, RB McBride, plus some late round DBs with that same mock)
stockholder
February 03, 2023 at 02:03 pm
Gutey isn't going to get any weapons for Rodgers.
Regardless if Lazard leaves. And he will..
If MVS can make 10 mil. a year.
And was a 5th rd pick. Expect more.
I fully expect Rodgers friends to come back.
Tonyan ,Lewis, Bahk, Crosby and maybe Cobb.
Because Rodgers is coming back. !!
And history has shown us he will find
someone to throw too, even if their a FA.
So I see Defense the first three picks.
And as much as I think it's wrong.
Plan on edge, Safety, and DL.
Just that order.
Because the cap is what it is.
And Gutey doesn't know a good thing when he sees it.
crayzpackfan
February 03, 2023 at 02:40 pm
SH - Hopefully Gute doesn't have to get Rodgers any weapons. Hopefully he just deals his insufferable ass away.
stockholder
February 03, 2023 at 03:06 pm
Any trade will bring Offense.
crayzpackfan
February 03, 2023 at 03:15 pm
Holy Crap?! You agree?!
Johnblood27
February 03, 2023 at 04:36 pm
I think he means that he would be offended if AR was traded,,,
did I really just try to place myself in Stockys head? Sheeeeeeeit!!!
BirdDogUni
February 03, 2023 at 08:07 pm
LMAO...
Good luck with that...
jannesbjornson
February 03, 2023 at 03:28 pm
Unless a guy like Porter,Jr , or Uzomah is available in rd one, they will need to fill spots for the Offense. Forget the leftovers, they had four years to get it done and failed. The only guy I would retain is Bhak since he is an All Pro. Maybe Crosby gets another 4M? They need a blue chip starter at RT. Scrub watch is getting tiresome. They need a couple TEs from this deep class. A receiving TE by rd two and an Inline Big Ten guy. Musgrave is now in Rd one as his knee checked out fine. The safeties are on the roster. He's stuck with Savage, keep Ford and move Douglas. He cannot line up against 4.2/4.3 guys. Maybe a rd four guy . Cory Trice.
They need a DT, rd three and two-three more Edge guys. Rodgers will be moved before Gutedkunst would attempt a trade of Love and own his mistake. Too late now for revisionism.
jannesbjornson
February 03, 2023 at 05:07 pm
PFN Retain Bhak @ LT. Player Trades unknown, but necessary.
#15 to Wash for #16 + #2 (2024)
#16/78 to Lions for #18/48
#18 Broderick Jones OT Uzomah goes # 26.
#45 Cedric Tillman WR
#2+#4 (2024) to Bears for #64. #64 to Denver for #67/141. #67 to LARams for #69/252
#48 Tucker Kraft TE
69 Zach Harrison Edge
#2 Wash #2 (2024)
#88 Keeanu Benton DT
# 141 Chase Brown RB
#151 Cory Trice CB
#171 Mark Perry SS
#225 Lutu USC Edge
#234 Averett B Cook TE
#244 Elijah Higgins Stan. WR
# 252 Whyle TE
# 256 Mike Jones LSU LB
# 259 Mike Bass OR OT
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 06:47 pm
I don't think Mark Perry is in the 2023 draft...I think he's staying at TCU for one more year
jannesbjornson
February 04, 2023 at 10:50 am
That may be. I have not seen any discussion about his staying or going.
croatpackfan
February 03, 2023 at 02:14 pm
Rex, there is one WR on Packers roster that people very often forget that he is there. He has last season 1 TD, also. He can play slot. And what is important, he is quite good in route running. Samori Toure! Toure was last Packers pick in the last year draft, but he surely overplayed his draft position. And, I predict that he will surprise many hen he get more playing time.
BAMABADGER
February 03, 2023 at 03:25 pm
CPF, couldn't agree more. Toure has the speed and quickness to move the ball via YAC. He should have been utilized more. often. Toure happens to be on a team where the coaching staff can't recognize football talent and has an MVP QB that forces the ball downfield and ignores the open receiver. Hopefully, some of that will change before practice begins in 2023.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 05:59 pm
As a Huskers fan, I want Toure to be used more! He deserves a legitimate shot; he flashed really good stuff!
golfpacker1
February 04, 2023 at 09:43 am
I agree CROATPACKFAN. As a Big Ten fan i watched Toure play multiple times and he has real talent. He could be an answer for Cobb after the kid from Clemson failed. He looked very promising in preseason. Also we signed to the practice squad a TE from Nebraska Austin Allen. He won the John Macke award as best Big Ten TE his senior year at Nebraska.
Over my Iowa guy Laporta. Athletic, 6'8 260lbs. He could easily fill one hole at TE next year.
I still think Rodgers should have taken the bull by the horns and worked with the young guys in off season to give them and HIM a better chance to succeed last year. If he wasn't so selfish he could have made the TEAM better right away. Another reason to trade him. I am excited to see Toure and Allen next year.
canadapacker
February 03, 2023 at 02:43 pm
Do not and I mean absolutely do NOT spend anywhere close to a top pick on a Wide Receiver. Wouldnt mind a couple of free agency cheap vets. We do need some sort of Tight end - but the only way that we need another wide receiver is if he is a late pick and a good gunner or punt returner for special teams.
Too many other needs including Dline, Middle linebackers, D backfield guys and of course a project Olineman although we may have that with Rhyan
PackEyedOptimist
February 03, 2023 at 04:06 pm
My (reasonable) preferred pick at 15 is WR Quentin Johnston. Hear me out.
Watson is a good #1 prospect--but he's already been injury prone.
Doubs has great potential ... as a boom-or-bust. I see an inconsistent #2 WR
Toure and Belton have speed, but are small, and are just as likely to struggle against bump-and-run and today's physical CB play as they are to have any success.
Johnston is a true #1 WR who is "always open" due to his size and elusiveness, so even if Watson misses games, the Packers have a much needed #1.
There are decent TEs who will be available in later rounds.
canadapacker
February 03, 2023 at 04:26 pm
Wrong - never waste a #1 pick on a receiver when one has other needs -= Jordie was a 2 when we had Jennings. If there is a Pitts out there then maybe pick him - but otherwise focus on the D - Remember the likelihood it will be Love and there is enough of an O going with Dillon/Jones and the guys that we have depending upon if we pick up Lazard's and Tonyon contracts and a free agent or 2 for depth. That would be a wasted pick when we need to strengthen the D line and the linebacker pools and hopefully Stokes and Gary will be back and we need help if they decide to move on from Amos.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 05:59 pm
Don't know if Johnston will fall that far. Mayer is my guy - we need pass-catching help, and we have a gaping hole at TE.
Coldworld
February 03, 2023 at 07:24 pm
It’s pre combine, so things can change dramatically, but I don’t see Johnston in our range at this point.
BirdDogUni
February 03, 2023 at 09:00 pm
I don't think Gutey will go after him anyway. He spent quite a bit last year on Watson. I think he'll use his 2nd round pick on a WR and 3rd on a TE or vise-versa. He might even surprise us and go 5th and 7th round on pass catchers, after drafting 3 last year.
I don't know what his plan will be but we all know he values defense and big guys early and often. Probably going to have to draft a S or CB relatively early, depending on the direction he decides to go.
I'm hoping he goes pass rusher in the 1st. We need better pass rush more than we need a TE Aaron will likely ignore. If he trades Rodgers, then there's no telling what he'll do. He may go rogue? Who knows?
Coldworld
February 04, 2023 at 08:47 am
If Gute really sees him as a game changer, I think he might. Gute is not afraid to pick those regardless, for example Gary. Whether Gute does see Johnston as having that kind of value I really have no idea. Otherwise, I tend to agree. I was just noting that it seems unlikely he will be on the board at this point.
BA4Packers
February 03, 2023 at 05:05 pm
Bo Melton’s
RAS is insane. Lightning fast, elite split times and 3 cone. His RAS and Watson would be the same except the knock on his size. Both Melton and Watson were running 4.2’s when training together. Put this kid in the slot.
BirdDogUni
February 03, 2023 at 09:07 pm
If we add a TE or two and another WR this draft, our pass catching corps could be wicked young, but also very talented.
Hoping we're as happy Gutey stole Melton off Seattle's practice squad as we were when he stole Lazard from the Jags...
BA4Packers
February 04, 2023 at 06:56 am
Sign Tonyan, pick up one mid tier WR and pick up TE FA Gisecki from Miami. Our offense would have plenty of fire power IMO at an affordable price.
jont
February 03, 2023 at 05:12 pm
These comments are all informative; there's better draft speculation / info here than in most NFL sources. The time and thought you guys put into this is impressive.
While I don't know much at all about these prospects, I do know that GB's receiver room entered the year as a pretty weak unit and is still the main weakspot of the roster. I'm as optimistic and positive about the Packers as anyone so I see a lot of promise in Watson and Doubs but beyond this it is all just hope and potential. Toure, Winfree, some picks... all hope with no substantive performance beyond it.
It's an old truth that an offense is only as good as its #3 receiver, and as of today GB isn't even sure who's going to be #1. This is the same position as one year ago. Yes, Watson's very productive second half is something and we all expect more of the same, but even if he comes through double coverages will minimize his impact. GB needs another guy who can threaten a secondary.
The tight end room doesn't have one. GB needs very much more in the pass catcher department. Gute has his work cut out for him, and I expect he'll do well given cap realities and the limited number of good free agents expected to be available, but I fear we might go another season with few if any 300 yard passing games.
PackyCheese500
February 03, 2023 at 06:28 pm
The latest mock...in this one, I trade Rodgers and Bakhtiari to the Jets for 2023 first and 2nd (picks 13 and 43) and 2024 first and 4th and I trade Preston Smith to the Giants for their 5th (pick 160):
13: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame - one of the best players available that also fills a big need. Best choice
15: EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa - has a SUPER high athletic ceiling and can really bull rush. I think we should convert him to 3-4 DE.
43: S JL Skinner, Boise St. - Very physical and can create tons of turnovers. The type of guy GB needs on the back end.
45: WR Rashee Rice, SMU - To complement Watson's deep speed, the Packers get more of a possession receiver in Rice. Continue to build up the pass-catching corps.
78: Traded to Houston for picks 103, 136, and a 2024 4th-round pick - we never do anything good with our 3rd rounders anyway. Might as well trade down
103: S Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn St. - He can play both SS and FS excellent. He and Skinner can cement the back end of our "D"
104: C Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin - It is worth trading up for him - we need to give Josh Myers some competition
115: Traded with pick 160 to Cardinals for pick 104
136: TE Josh Whyle, Cincinnati - Whyle is more of a receiver TE, but is a decent blocker too. Our TE room is barren.
149: OLB Ivan Pace Jr, Cincinnati - Another Bearcat. Pace is somewhat undersized, but has amazing play-speed and is great against the run. Kind of like a second-rate Nolan Smith.
170: K Jake Moody, Michigan - With Mason Crosby likely to retire, the Packers cement their kicking for the next decade-plus with one of the most accurate kickers.
217: DT Robert Cooper, Florida St. - This guy can run stuff and has pure power. Good addition to the DL
224: S Joe Torchio, Wisconsin - He snagged like 5 picks. At the very least, he will provide good depth and ST snaps
233: FB Hunter Luepke, North Dakota St. - Adding competition for Deguara at the Fullback role
239: OT Dalton Wagner, Arkansas - he is very athletically talented and can really maul in the run game
243: WR Jadon Hasselwood, Arkansas - A good WR to provide depth at the position
croatpackfan
February 04, 2023 at 05:17 am
Deguara is 3rd round pick and he will suprise many when he will be used more.
He looked like meh pick because he eas injured in his rookie season and ACR rarely looked at him. He caught all catchable passes thrown to him and always had YAC. He will show everybody that he is very valuable piece on Packers O.
stockholder
February 05, 2023 at 07:18 am
I'm only looking at a comp pick now.
There has been talk of cutting him and
bringing him back for a million saved.
mnbadger
February 06, 2023 at 06:15 pm
Torchio caught many errant throws and dropped a few others. Coverage to the outside was poor and slow at best to the naked eye.
I love the badgers, but torchio is just a try hard guy that has seen his pinnacle at the big ten level. Great college career. FA guy at best IMO.
GPG!
golfpacker1
February 03, 2023 at 07:12 pm
Trade down for sure in 1st round is the smart way to go. Alot of gravy picks always in 2nd,3rd,snd 4th rounds and they cost less $$. Plus by picking up at least 2 picks you can address multiple needs @ TE,S, and D-line. I am not for drafting for competition. Draft to upgrade and trade away overpaid vets. Rodgers,Bakhtiari,Smith,Campbell,Savage,Crosby. Overpaid and under performing.Score some more picks!
I also agree no 1st round WR or TE. We need TE but plenty available after 1st round especially if we have a couple extra early picks
At TE I like Musgrave-Ore St.,Laporta-Iowa,Kuntz-ODU,Schoonmaker-Mich, and my favorite Whyle-Cinn
WR-Mims-Ok, Perry-Wake,Hutchinson-Ia St.,Mingo-Ole Miss,Charlie Jones-Pur,Rakim Jarrett-Mary,Nat Dell-Hous
Plus my sleepers Trea Schropshire-UAB last 3 yrs average 24 ypc and Andrei Iosiva-Prinseton-6'3 & runs 4.2 40
Trade back and restock for cheap! Also I like Moody from Mich @ K, or Mevis from Missouri. Both very accurate and kickoffs are touchbacks.
Rarescope
February 03, 2023 at 08:51 pm
Watson played in 14 games? Color me surprised, I thought he was out on injuries much more than that. Maybe I’m thinking of games started stats? Or my memory really is that bad. Seeking enlightenment from the community.
BirdDogUni
February 03, 2023 at 09:34 pm
Played in 14. Started 11 Games
41 rec 611 yards 7 TDs.
7 rushing attempts for 80 yards with 2 TDs.
BirdDogUni
February 03, 2023 at 09:58 pm
15 Bryan Bresee DL | Clemson
45 Darnell Washington TE | Georgia
78 Cedric Tillman WR | Tennessee
116 Trey Dean III S | Florida
151 Zion Nelson OT | Miami (FL)
171 Josh Whyle TE | Cincinnati
234 Ochaun Mathis EDGE | Nebraska
237 P.J. Mustipher DL | Penn State
244 Nick Saldiveri OT | Old Dominion
257 Tavion Thomas RB | Utah
jannesbjornson
February 04, 2023 at 10:54 am
Some have Whyle moving up boards as his injuries are behind him. Solid starter for the Bearcats when they went to the final four.
Ikrispy
February 04, 2023 at 12:22 pm
It’s too much to expect a phenomenal passing season with a core of rookie receivers. BUT, I believe it would have been a much better season if 12 were interested in building a relationship with his rookie receivers rather than his ego and also throwing the ball to open receivers rather than looking for the hero ball.