Assessing the Packers Wide Receiver Situation So Far

Before training camp even started, we all knew the Green Bay Packers receiving corps was going to look different this season. The Packers traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders and lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. That meant that two of the team’s top three receivers were gone before the draft even took place.

Since then, the Packers added three wideouts in the draft and signed a veteran free agent who has experience in Matt LaFleur’s system.

But how many wide receivers will the team keep on the active roster this season and how many will be on the practice squad?

Typically, the Packers have kept six receivers on the active roster although on occasion, they have kept seven.

Obviously, injuries could change both the number and the identity of the players the team decides to keep. Another factor will certainly be the ability of those lower on the depth chart to contribute as core special teams players.

Here is a look at the Packers receiving corps as of now and where they stand in relation to making the final roster. Players are listed in the order they appear on the current edition of the Packers “unofficial” depth chart:

1. Allen Lazard

Lazard is a lock to make the roster and is the prohibitive favorite to be the Packers WR1 this season. He is a consistent route runner with reliable hands and has developed good chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers since joining the team late in the 2018 season.

The big challenge for Lazard this season is to continue to be productive despite now having to go up against the opposing team’s top cover corners.

2. Sammy Watkins

The Packers signed Watkins as a free agent this offseason. The veteran is at a crossroads in his career and signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Packers. Watkins has good speed and has been productive during his NFL career when he’s been healthy, but he has not played a full season’s worth of games since his rookie season in 2014.

Watkins has experience in Matt LaFleur’s system when he played for the Rams in 2017 while LaFleur was an assistant coach there.

There are those who say Watkins is not a lock to make the roster because the Packers could save cap space by letting him go. However, the fact that the Packers are holding him out of the first preseason game combined with the team’s lack of experienced players at the position also makes it unlikely that Watkins will be let go before the season starts.

3. Randall Cobb

 Cobb is presently the starter at slot receiver on the team’s depth chart. He has the most experience working with Rodgers and adds leadership and savvy to the receiving corps. Cobb is a lock to make the team if he stays healthy and should see a steady diet of passes thrown his way once the regular season starts.

4. Amari Rodgers

Rodgers was a non-factor on offense as a rookie after the Packers reacquired Cobb. He is presently listed as the second string slot receiver on the depth chart.

The former third-round pick from Clemson has lost weight and has looked more comfortable and confident in the offense in training camp. He is a near lock to make the final roster barring injury or a complete collapse in his performance.

5. Christian Watson

The Packers traded up in the second round to select Watson who has all the physical tools scouts love in a receiver but he’s raw and making a big jump from North Dakota State to the NFL.

Watson started training camp on the PUP list and has yet to participate in practice after suffering an injury during OTAs.

If he’s healthy, Watson is a lock to make the team although how much he’ll be able to contribute as a rookie remains a big question. Watson is missing valuable practice time right now but the team remains very enthusiastic about his long-term potential.

6. Romeo Doubs

Doubs has been the talk of training camp thus far and has been making big plays nearly every day since he took the field. The fourth-round pick out of Nevada still has to show he can get the job done during games but Doubs is also a lock to make the roster. He has an excellent attitude and work ethic and is also in the running for the team’s primary punt return job.

7. Juwann Winfree

Winfree has been a standout in preseason and training camp since joining the Packers in 2020. He has yet to make a large impact on offense in the regular season.

This season, Winfree has again impressed in training camp and has even earned praise from Aaron Rodgers. He will need a strong preseason and to impress special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia to earn a roster spot this season. He could also return to the practice squad.

8. Malik Taylor

Taylor has also been a preseason standout during his time with the Packers. He missed the early part of training camp with an injury but has since returned to practice. Taylor has caught seven passes over the last two seasons with the Packers and been a reliable if unspectacular return specialist.

He will need a strong preseason or a big contribution on special teams to make the team this season.

9. Samori Toure

The seventh-round pick out of Nebraska has shown some flashes of ability this year in training camp and has the speed and experience catching deep passes in college. Toure may be a candidate for the practice squad unless he makes a strong showing in the preseason.

10. Danny Davis

The undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin is a long shot to make the roster. He has seen some reps as a punt returner in practice. His performance on special teams, whether it be as a returner or in coverage, may be his best hope to stick on the roster or on the practice squad.

11. Ishmael Hyman

Hyman was just by the Packers on July 28. The 26-year-old James Madison alum has experience on the Bucs and Panthers practice squad and in the AAF. He played two games for Tampa Bay back in 2019 and caught two passes for 34 yards. He has to be considered a long shot to make the roster and will need to play well on special teams to have a chance to stick around.  

 

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7 points
 

Comments (61)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Coldworld's picture

August 13, 2022 at 12:46 pm

Unless it’s through STs I’m still not convinced by Rodgers. Get him the ball in space and he can do things but he couldn’t get open at all in the first half. Yes, he had a nice catch and run in the second half but so did Davis in the first and Davis got himself open.

If Cobb is out for a while maybe, but at slot I’ve got Cobb, Lazard, Doubs, Winfree, Toure and now Davis ahead of him as well as Jones in the slot and with more ability to get open and more versatility. That’s without considering Watson for whim those kind of plays are likely among the best opportunities to get him involved.

Unless and until Rodgers can get open in his own he’s a role player at best. He completely failed to do that for the entire first half when Winfree did and made plays and both Davis and Toure did as soon as they took the field. I don’t see how we can carry that justifiably without a great deal more upside as a WR or him being active as our first choice returner.

To me the excitement over Rodgers actually doing something is as overplayed and lacking in context as some of the negative reactions to others.

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murf7777's picture

August 13, 2022 at 01:48 pm

Regarding Rodgers I think he is a lock to make the team just based on his ST play. He is going to be their #1 PR and possibly the KR. He is noticeably quicker and decisive. He totally juked out the DB on his TD catch and run. Regarding his WR play, it’s hard to tell if he wasn’t getting open or if the QB didn’t throw his way. Even if he wasn’t, that doesn’t mean he’s not still learning and will improve. You don’t get to see his route running on TV, so it’s all an assumption whether he is creating separation. The reality is he made two very big plays in the game. I will also add they traded up in the 3rd round last year to get him, they will give him time to develop. He’s a lock!

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Coldworld's picture

August 13, 2022 at 03:33 pm

You may be right that he wins the returning job because they seem to have taken the former leader, Doubs, out of contention in punts. That’s why I said, unless he’s going to be active in STs. Other than that, he needs to show he can get open and win coverage before I’m buying that he’s one of the best 7 WRs now or In Terms of future potential. If you can’t get open regularly you won’t succeed in this league. We likely won’t keep 7 anyway.

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murf7777's picture

August 13, 2022 at 04:04 pm

How do you know he wasn’t getting open is my question. Love seemed to locked into Doubs. We can assume he wasn’t but you know where that gets I:)

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Coldworld's picture

August 13, 2022 at 05:22 pm

I was watching that particularly, though not just for Rodgers. Love actually threw 3 passes to Winfree earlier and then quickly targeted both Davis and Toure successfully a couple of times on their arrival. That’s just the receivers not named Doubs.. All were open on those throws. Rodgers may have been open a couple of times the whole half, one of which I think Winfree was more so. The other I don’t recall who was targeted.

The first half stats just to illustrate how Love spread it around:
Doubs 3 catches, 45 yards, TD
Davis 2-45, TD
Winfree 3-27
Goodson 2-24
Toure 1-23
Deguara 2-12

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splitpea1's picture

August 13, 2022 at 06:26 pm

It could be that the coverage on Amari was just really good....Womack had him blanketed a couple of times, including the interception--where the ball never should have been thrown.

I'm willing to let the preseason play out until a determination can be made about Amari's role in the offense.

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Coldworld's picture

August 13, 2022 at 07:55 pm

Agree. Rodgers has other games to show he is able to outplay the other young depth. If he does, great, but one play in isolation is but a small step when other are taking more or bigger ones. There’s no divine right here: the best WRs need to be on the roster.

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 13, 2022 at 07:53 pm

"It could be that the coverage on Amari was just really good."

I mean, absent bracket coverage or being doubled, it is the receiver's job to get open. If a receiver can't beat one on one coverage, he isn't a good receiver. Womack is a 5th round rookie CB (pick 172). I think Danny Davis is a really savvy receiver, but I didn't see him beat anyone.

The Packers handed Amari the PR last year. Sorry, I am with LH: if you have to keep your 8th WR so he can return punts, just fair catch all punts and keep a better receiver.

I suppose in the big scheme of things, keeping Amari over Winfree or Toure probably won't matter. Cutting that 7th round WR to keep a guy who sole calling card is Punt Returns rarely comes back to bite one: Donald Drivers only come around once or twice in a generation.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 13, 2022 at 08:40 pm

Sometimes, it’s the receiver’s job to get open, but other times his job is to clear an area. I haven’t seen the all 22 yet, but I’m skeptical of the whole “he doesn’t get targeted because he’s not open” stuff. Especially in the first preseason game where coverage blunders occurred on both sides.

This is a guy who doesn’t miss games or practices, who has the support of the coaches, who has never had a turnover on a punt or kick return, who made a nice TD last night and probably led us in yards from scrimmage last night.

Cut this guy? Seriously?

-3 points
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barutanseijin's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:10 am

Rodgers definitely fumbled last year. He also watched a punt bounce off a Packer for a killer turnover in MC. Fielding the ball cleanly was a problem.

I wouldn’t cut him if i felt he could contribute in some fashion. Maybe he’s the best return guy on the team. Maybe. He needs to prove it in camp because there are a lot of guys who can do what he does as a WR.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 14, 2022 at 09:01 am

He had two fumbles, including one he recovered and one that went out of bounds. No turnovers. The ball that bounced off of Taylor…who was laying on his back….is not Rodgers fault.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 14, 2022 at 09:02 am

He had two fumbles, including one he recovered and one that went out of bounds. No turnovers. The ball that bounced off of Taylor…who was laying on his back….is not Rodgers fault.

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LLCHESTY's picture

August 14, 2022 at 09:33 am

I think you mean all purpose yards. He was 11th in yards from scrimmage.

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Leatherhead's picture

August 13, 2022 at 04:41 pm

Murf, there are people here who have invested a lot in the narrative that Rodgers is a bust, and by extension, that the people who drafted him don’t know what they’re doing.

They’ll come in here pretending they’ve already analyzed the all 22 video and Amari Rodgers doesn’t get open.

As predicted a long time ago, it’s Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, Amari, Doubs, and Watson. If Watson starts on PUP, then I think Winfree makes it. Amari Rodgers is not going anywhere, and he’s going to be a bigger part of the offense.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 13, 2022 at 05:13 pm

"Amari Rodgers is not going anywhere, and he’s going to be a bigger part of the offense."

Well, considering he couldn't possibly be a smaller part of the offense based on last year, that's a pretty sturdy limb you're venturing out onto.

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LLCHESTY's picture

August 13, 2022 at 05:22 pm

So you think people knock Gutey for drafting Rodgers in the 3rd round but don't give him credit for drafting Doubs in the 4th?

The only person here who regularly knocks Gutey is a Vikings fan who comes to troll so who cares what he says.

It's nice you're holding on to your dream about Rodgers being a bigger part of the offense but if he makes the team it will be as a return man. I'll still stick with Lazard, Watkins and Doubs as the starters.

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Bure9620's picture

August 13, 2022 at 06:25 pm

Gute did draft him, but this is one of those picks the head coach lets the GM know, "hey really like this guy, he fits the offense." I doubt Gute drafts Amari Rodgers otherwoie without the MLF influence.

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Bure9620's picture

August 13, 2022 at 06:25 pm

Gute did draft him, but this is one of those picks the head coach lets the GM know, "hey really like this guy, he fits the offense." I doubt Gute drafts Amari Rodgers otherwoie without the MLF influence.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 13, 2022 at 08:00 pm

I don't understand your consistency. You've long advocated for just fair catching punts. If so, then Amari has to make the team as a WR, not as a PR. Amari does look better, but he doesn't look better than other WRs. He can't play WR split wide. He is tiny. As a slot receiver, I think Lazard, Cobb, Doubs, probably Watson, and perhaps Toure are better in the slot.

I fear you're correct that he makes the roster.

5 points
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13TimeChamps's picture

August 13, 2022 at 08:45 pm

but...but...he's a 2nd day pick! That seems to be the primary argument.

Ummm...so was Jace Sternberger. I think Gutekunst is one of the best GM's in the league. But let's be real, the 3rd round hasn't been where he shines unfortunately.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 14, 2022 at 09:31 pm

We should fair catch. And he is one of our six best WRs until he isn’t. You’re leapfrogging guys over him who haven’t proven squat….we don’t even know if they can survive a season. Cobb, and Watkins, probably can’t.

Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, Rodgers, Doubs, Watson. One inactive on gameday.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 13, 2022 at 09:04 pm

Murf, there is one person on here who is invested in the narrative that returning punts is beyond stupid. Yet the Packers coaching staff (along with the other 31 teams) disagrees, so by extension, that coaching staff doesn't know what they're doing.

Did I get that right?

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Leatherhead's picture

August 14, 2022 at 09:41 pm

Actually, given that most teams return fewer than two punts/game, t would seem that they largely agree.

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13TimeChamps's picture

August 14, 2022 at 10:05 pm

No they don't largely agree. Not even close.

NFL teams average right around 4 punts a game, which means they return slightly less than 50%. That means they return punts that are returnable and don't return those that aren't. How does that translate to fair catch EVERY punt?

Not ONE NFL team employs the "fair catch every punt" strategy. Not one.

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Guam's picture

August 14, 2022 at 08:35 am

Leatherhead: I would decouple the notion that Rodgers is a bust from the front office being incompetent. Every front office makes drafting mistakes and as good as Gute has been (and I think he has been terrific), even he has drafting mistakes - Jace Sternberger, Oren Burks, J'mon Moore. Busts are as much a part of drafting as successes are.

The jury is still out for me on Amari Rodgers. I liked his special teams play against SF, but am concerned that he was never targeted by Love in the first half when Love appeared to spread the ball around to every other receiver. Not sure why that was the case, but I suspect either Rodgers wasn't getting open or his QB has little trust in him. Rodgers may make the team as a core special teams player, but it sure would help his case if he demonstrated more competency at WR.

3 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

August 13, 2022 at 09:00 pm

Murf,
Rodgers is a lock no doubt. He looks so fast and his cutting ability is fantastic. Whole different player and saw it at the Friday night scrimmage.

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murf7777's picture

August 14, 2022 at 09:26 am

Yes he does,,,,I can’t explain why he didn’t get thrown to more in this pre-season game, but neither can the nay sayers. Unless you had access to all-22 before this thread than it’s all assumptions.

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Coldworld's picture

August 14, 2022 at 11:45 am

Last year when picked, I liked the idea that was Rodgers. A Cobb-like low center of gravity guy who was good if you got the ball to him in space. He was good at that at Clemson. He had to be because that was really the vast majority of what he did.

There were some negatives. Unlike Cobb, he really hadn’t run the ball significantly (it was Cobb’s ability in the passing game that surprised everyone at the time). He isn’t exceptionally athletic as an NFL slot guy, he doesn’t profile well to other WR positions and had essentially never run a route tree of any significance. However, we hadn’t had a guy like him in a long time. A guy with enough speed/strength/wiggle to take passes over the middle and run more physically like a RB.

Now he does look more like the Clemson player. Good. But in that time things have changed. Rather than a dearth of slot players we have a glut who have played the slot regularly as a core part of their game. What we instead lack are proven receivers in the perimeter if anything.

We now have Doubs. Winfree not derailed by injury, Toure and will have Watson. Why does that matter? Lazard plays a lot in the slot and is not an obvious full time perimeter athlete. Watkins is primarily, but had been oft injured (as we have already seen). At present it looks like the real speed on this roster is Doubs and Toure behind Watkins. We will likely need them and Watson this year if we are to stretch Ds and not rely on health or Watson picking up a broad route tree with no preseason to speak of if any.

Cobb always was much better in the slot and now is pretty much exclusively so, but as I’ve tried to point out, we have a mass of alternatives who have shown an ability to win contested catches consistently (Winfree, Doubs) or speed/wiggle to get open regularly (Doubs/Toure/Winfree). We’ve seen flashes from Davis and Hyam. That’s not mentioning Jones.

To add to that, we’ve now glimpsed Goodson. I don’t see Goodson as a RB. Issues with vision and power, but he’s a really good catcher, far more than most catching backs. He’s also very sudden. Who would you rather see run after a dump off in space? To me it’s arguably Goodson and that’s not something I expected. The fact that it’s not clearly Rodgers, even thin Rodgers ought to raise a flag. That’s also without considering Our as yet unseen top pick. Those kind of plays were his bread and butter and, if we are to get him on the field this year, that’s going to have to be part of it, along with go routes.

If we are to win this year we are going to need the best available players as a group. We need players who can regularly get hard yards, such as Winfree. We need players who can move in and out like Doubs and Toure. We need players that can go out and go deep, cross and adapt to Rodgers changes and what that demands. We need a slot, undoubtedly, but as I’ve explained, we have plenty in almost any combination of active WRs I can imagine. We will also use Cobb on key downs and Jones at times.

So my point? To justify a slot, Rodgers needs either to win the returning job (Doubs is perhaps giving him a leg up by playing himself into too integral an offensive role) or show that he can do more and better as a receiver than others behind Cobb/Watkins/Lazard/Doubs. That doesn’t just mean he’s the best next man up in the slot, it means he’s the best next man up or one of the best 2 in at least one other WR role, ideally more.

Is he? Right now, we have 5 locks (including Watson). At this point I’d next want Winfree because he makes tough catches, can play everywhere and is consistent. After him, Toure has deep speed, has regularly made 3rd down plays over the middle in camp and, while rawer than Doubs still is still more versatile.

Sometimes we get caught up in the fortunes of a player and lose sight of the overall make up if the team. As I look at this debate, I see it as possible that the best combination in I does not involve Rodgers based upon the overall mix, athletic upside and versatility.

Can Rodgers change that? Certainly, but it’s going to take a whole lot more than catching a pass schemed open in space and more than just good slot performances. Unless he starts blowing up teams from the slot and not just in dump offs, I don’t see how he is in the best 7.

That’s not necessarily Rodgers’ or Gute’s fault, but it would be Gute’s fault if we don’t adapt to changed circumstance’s and talent and do not keep based on that. It doesn’t matter where someone was drafted. It matters whether they have the 6th or 7th best combination of current value as a player individually, in the context of who those in front are and how to compliment him and future raw upside. At this point I don’t see that Rodgers is next up in of those three.

That’s it. For those who persevered, I hope it at least explains my frustration with the sudden converts and draft pick priority folks. Now it’s time to let the players take over. Hopefully it’s play that settles this debate not health and hopefully by a clear margin for most observers. That means we found a real keeper.

2 points
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Guam's picture

August 14, 2022 at 03:49 pm

All fair points CW. Rodgers may save himself with his special teams contributions if he becomes the designated punt and kick off returner. With the new emphasis on special teams and Bisaccia having more of a voice than previous ST coaches, I suspect special teams performance may have more influence on who makes the 53 than in past years. That could push Rodgers ahead of guys who are better WRs.

0 points
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Fubared's picture

August 14, 2022 at 05:51 pm

I hope one fn coach tells him, hey you field the ball deep in end zone take a knee you idiot. Last year he tried to run it out and got bailed at the 10 and 12 yard lines losing 14 yards. IMO he isn't the brightest bulb on the tree. Probably why he didn't play slot even when Cobb was hurt.

-2 points
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UGDR's picture

August 13, 2022 at 01:06 pm

It's looking like the following 6 barring injury:
Lazard
Watkins
Cobb
Rodgers
Doubs
Winfree
Watson starts on PUP
PS: Toure and Davis

-3 points
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murf7777's picture

August 13, 2022 at 01:46 pm

Also, barring they don’t pick up a vet.

-1 points
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mrtundra's picture

August 13, 2022 at 01:27 pm

I see that Hyman is wearing #5 as a Packer. I thought Paul Hornung's number had been retired. Am I wrong to think this?

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

August 13, 2022 at 02:04 pm

The Golden Boy’s #5 has never been retired.

2 points
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cheezyone's picture

August 13, 2022 at 05:34 pm

Not officially, but they haven't used it that I've seen

0 points
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Coldworld's picture

August 13, 2022 at 07:57 pm

I don’t think in season, but numbers are tight in preseason.

3 points
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stockholder's picture

August 13, 2022 at 02:24 pm

I'm for Toure in the slot. I say the packers will lose him if he goes on the PS. My thinking is the slot has always been A problem. Cobb has trouble staying on the field now. To many have come and gone! And Amari Rodgers was drafted for it. But he's No mis -match. Toure has the height, speed, and big play ability. I say push Toure. And we will be rewarded.

7 points
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dobber's picture

August 13, 2022 at 04:14 pm

" I say the packers will lose him if he goes on the PS."

We say this about a preseason phenom every year, but these guys rarely get claimed at cut time.

-2 points
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stockholder's picture

August 13, 2022 at 07:15 pm

Charles Johnson !!

4 points
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dobber's picture

August 14, 2022 at 05:41 am

...and he did pretty much nothing. If the Packers lose a guy at cuts and he turns out to be Charles Johnson, they've lost nothing.

-2 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

August 14, 2022 at 03:37 pm

The truth gets 3 downvotes.🙄

Now 4, double 🙄🙄

1 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:50 pm

Have you forgotten Hill being picked off by NO?

1 points
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dobber's picture

August 15, 2022 at 10:39 am

...and now he's not even playing the position Packers' fans were all amok about...

0 points
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cheezyone's picture

August 13, 2022 at 05:38 pm

Toure actually had more yards than Winfree in the game. I think he's about to show a lot more, given the chance.

8 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:57 am

I like Toure quite a bit. I'd just note that Toure played 44 snaps to Winfree's 29 snaps. PFF has Winfree running 17 routes to Toure's 7, but that is playing only with Love. Winfree did not play with Etling.

Only Toure, Amari, Danny Davis, and Hyman played wide receiver with Etling. Toure played 31 snaps with Etling. However, Etling threw just 8 passes, three of which went to Toure. Doubs ran 15 routes. With Love looking to Doubs on 7 of his 24 pass attempts, it seems clear to me that Doubs was the number one option for Love. Sample size is small, but with Etling targeting Toure on 3 of his 8 attempts, it may be that Toure was his top option.

I think both Toure and Winfree had nice games.

2 points
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dobber's picture

August 14, 2022 at 11:55 am

8 is a pretty small sample size...

0 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 13, 2022 at 06:27 pm

I doubt Toure is claimed. So few players are claimed off waivers, he will make it to the PS. Toure and Danny Davis are both prime PS candidates.

-1 points
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Bure9620's picture

August 13, 2022 at 06:27 pm

I doubt Toure is claimed. So few players are claimed off waivers, he will make it to the PS. Toure and Danny Davis are both prime PS candidates.

-3 points
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dobber's picture

August 14, 2022 at 12:09 pm

Maybe Toure wins a spot on the roster...maybe someone ahead of him gets hurt and he lands on the 53. Whatever guy that 7th WR is, they're likely to go unclaimed at cuts, and they're not likely to be much more than a journeyman NFL player. Roster management is a zero-sum game. If you put a 7th WR on the roster, what are you giving up elsewhere? ...and how does that limit your ability to compete on game day?...or field a stronger team in 2023?

1 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

August 13, 2022 at 09:04 pm

SH,
I'm in total agreement. First Toure is going to become a very good WR, but secondly I DO NOT believe he will clear waivers. He has a lot of upside and the Pack got a diamond in the rough in the 7th.

Biggest problem is this being Cobb's last year for Amari and Toure as slot players this season.

5 points
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splitpea1's picture

August 13, 2022 at 02:33 pm

I don't think you can make much of an assessment at this point: too many unknowns. But they need to do a better job of catching and securing the ball than they did vs. SF. Injuries to any one of those top three names could be difficult to overcome. The TEs will need to step up no matter what.

We're probably in for a lot of close games, even vs. lesser opponents, and this is where our heavy investment in defense will pay off.

-1 points
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Fubared's picture

August 13, 2022 at 05:51 pm

I need to see more. IMO based only on play, I think Rodgers couldn't learn the playbook last year and AR didn't want him on the field.
Apparently one of the receivers ran the wrong route causing an interception. Just saying. If he gets cut we will know they too have him as a bust too.

4 points
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wildbill's picture

August 14, 2022 at 12:38 pm

Uhh Love throwing to someone who wasn’t open led to the interception. You can always throw the ball away, even in the pocket. Forcing a ball because someone ran the wrong route is no excuse.

2 points
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NoNonsense's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:04 am

I think 7 WRs is guaranteed this year and 8 is not out of the realm of possibility either. Why, because Lazard, Cobb and Watkins could all be gone next year and there is an abundance of talent to pick from in that room this year.

I know the guys that get cut from this team rarely get claimed after cut downs but this year might be different. With Hackett being HC in Denver and Getsy the OC for the Bears they might be interested in some of the players we cut especially WR because Chicago is thin at WR and Denver lost Tim Patrick to a torn ACL. I mean heck Denver already signed former Packer Darius Sheppard after that injury, that's not a coincidence.

As for Amari Rodgers, I don't get the hate or extreme doubt about his abilities from some on here. The guy works hard, evidenced by his losing 16 lbs this off-season. With that type of work ethic he's gonna improve his skills, he just played his 1st preseason game of his 2nd yr and I already see lots of improvement as a result of that hard work.

Give the guy some time to change your mind about him. Hate to compare anyone to DaVante but the point is a lot of people were ready to cut him after year 2. What a mistake that would have been. He may never be as good as Adams but that is a a high ceiling. I'll settle for Randal Cobb like hopefully without all the injuries.

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barutanseijin's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:50 am

On the other hand, you want to give snaps, practice time and coaching resources to guys who will do the most with them. Keeping marginal bit players around because Davante Adams took time to develop may keep a better player from blossoming. If the Bears or Vikings want to spend a roster spot & coaching on a a Jace Sternberger, let ‘em.

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Guam's picture

August 14, 2022 at 08:43 am

Just curious NoNonsense, what position(s) do you short to make room for a 7th or even 8th WR? Tight end, O-line, RB????

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NoNonsense's picture

August 14, 2022 at 11:07 am

Well typically you keep the best 53 and use the practice squad to supplement your roster where you lack quality depth. A lot plays into it, including the guys on PUP currently but there are many ways to skin a roster cat.

2 QBs
3 RBs
4 TEs
8 or 9 OL
7 or 8 WRs

5 or 6 DL
4 or 5 OLBs
4 ILBs
5 or 6 CBs
4 or 5 Ss

It all comes down to who plays the best between now and cut time. If some of the young WRs like Danny Davis and Toure keep shining would you rather take a risk to lose them just to keep a 6th CB or 5th safety. Looking at WR, Cobb and Watkins are injury concerns, both guys miss a lot of time. The position gets pretty thin once those 2 are out and they only keep 6.

7 WRs is a lock, 8 may be a little hard to justify but just leaving that door open to the possibility.

Obviously STs will play a role in who gets kept or cut but I do think that offense and WR in particular will be harder to slip through to the PS this year with two former offensive coaches holding positions on other teams. I know those guys will be watching this team closer than others.

Look at Rich Bisacia, he's got 3 guys from Vegas on the team Gafford, Nixon and Leavitt. This is how its done in the NFL.

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Guam's picture

August 14, 2022 at 11:35 am

Assuming the Packers keep 25 offensive players (and 25 defensive players and three special teamers), I agree with:

2 QBs
3 RBs
9 OL
6 WRs
4 TEs
and one optional WR, TE or Special team.

I would not want only 8 O-line as injuries almost invariably happen to that group and eight leaves you very thin. Four TEs can be done, but typically with the Packers that group breaks down to 3 TEs (Lewis, Tonyan and Davis) and 2 H-backs (Deguara and Daffeny). Do you go with one H-back to get to 7 WRs and leave H-back thin? I am okay with 7 WRs, particularly if the 7th WR is the punt and kick returner. However there is no way I can get to 8 WRs without seriously shorting another key position.

The remaining issue is who can you stash on the practice squad. Is Daffney eligible for the practice squad? There are rules about vets with enough tenure that they can't be put on the practice squad and I don't know where Daffney falls. If Daffney isn't eligible, I don't think the Packers have another quality H-back in camp to stash on the practice squad. It might be easier to keep to two H-backs and try to stash some WRs on the practice squad in order to keep depth everywhere. The cap of 53 on the roster makes these situations hard even if you have excess talent in one position.

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Vforrest's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:12 pm

Danny Davis not that big not that fast but when the ball is in the air he knows how to play football…he has the knack. You can make a career out of that and get on teams every year.

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NoNonsense's picture

August 14, 2022 at 02:35 pm

I mean it's all about who Gute thinks he can get onto the PS. Yes 8 OL is thin but if Bahk and Jenkins start on PUP than your getting 2 reinforcement by week 6 hopefully. Certainly Hanson or Van Lanen or Ty Clary would slip through to the PS but maybe not. Do they ever even keep more than 8 OL active on gameday?

Yes 8 WRs would be tough to keep and risky that's why I think 7 is the magic number for that position. Remember when they cut Lazard from the initial 53? Gute got pretty lucky no one claimed him at the time and he was quickly resigned to the 53 after someone went on IR.

If they keep 6, then it's Winfree vs Rodgers unless Watson doesn't come off the PUP. 12 has already said Winfree deserves a roster spot so that leaves Rodgers out unless they keep 7. After the backlash from cutting Kumerow after Rodgers talked him up that year, I don't think Gute is gonna ignore Rodgers opinion on the WRs and I don't think he can or will cut Amari.

Not gonna cut Doubs or Watson, Cobb or Watkins most likely either and Lazard is a lock so what gives if not 7 WRs. If Toure and or Danny Davis keep ascending along with the first 7 then what?

Tough choices need to be made and there may still be additions to the roster like a veteran OT at cutdowns so nothing is set in stone yet but I would be very surprised if Gute doesn't keep 7 WRs this year on the initial 53.

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Guam's picture

August 14, 2022 at 03:27 pm

When Bahk and Jenkins come back, the Pack will certainly keep nine O-line - no one cut from the group will make it to the PS. I have posed the Winfree vs Rodgers issue in previous threads and that would be a tough choice. It may come down to Winfree vs Rodgers vs Daffney, keeping two of three. I doubt Rodgers would make the PS, Winfree or Daffney I don't know.

It will be interesting to watch for the balance of the preseason.

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