This is the Year to Breakaway from WR Height/Weight Thresholds

The Green Bay Packers love their big-bodied receivers, but in a class filled with slot/gadget players who would bring a new playmaking ability to the Matt LaFleur offense, this is the year to breakaway from that threshold.

When it comes to the NFL draft, every team has specific thresholds for each position. Whether it's a combination of height and weight, a shuttle time, or the 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash, there are both physical and athletic marks that teams often stick to. They believe being above or below those thresholds can either increase or decrease the prospect's chances of NFL success.
 
And the Green Bay Packers are no different. One of the more obvious trends that has been observed over the years is their love of the big-bodied receiver. 
 
Now, this just isn't a trend under Brian Gutekunst; although he has stuck to it, it was prominent when Ted Thompson was the General Manager as well. At this point, the 6'0" - 200-pound mark for receivers is not only a threshold but an organizational philosophy.
 
Since the 2011 draft, the Green Bay Packers have taken 13 receivers, and only one of them have been under 6'0". On top of that, only four of them have been under 200 pounds, with two of those four weighing 195 and 196 pounds--so very close. Only one receiver -- Randall Cobb -- was under both marks. 
 
For the most part, the Packers have stuck to that 6'0" - 200-pound threshold for receivers, showing a little flexibility when it comes to weight. But it's clear that they have their type. 
 
When it comes to the Matt LaFleur offense, one of the key elements behind its success is what takes place pre-snap or, as LaFleur calls it, the illusion of complexity. What this essentially means is that he wants to run the same play from a variety of personnel and have different plays start out looking similar. Pre-snap motion is also crucial to this, as are designed touches in space close to the line of scrimmage. 
 
This requires versatile players who can move around the formation and make plays with the ball in their hands. LaFleur is tremendous at creating space for his receivers.
 
If we look back at the 2020 roster, this gadget role, as it is called, fit Tyler Ervin well. But as we saw in LaFleur's friendly system, just about anyone can fill that role. In Ervin's absence, Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown were all used in this capacity. 
 
However, just because LaFleur's offense can work using Lazard, Valdes-Scantling, and St. Brown in motion and on designed touches doesn't mean that Green Bay shouldn't try to make an addition and really maximize that role. And it just so happens that this year's draft class is full of slot options who can bring some explosiveness to the Packers' receiver room.
 
While last year's draft was rich with boundary talent, this year's class is rich with inside players. Kadarius Toney, Rondale Moore, Elijah Moore, D'Wayne Eskridge, Amari Rodgers, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, are just a few of the players who would fill the all-important slot/gadget role here in Green Bay. And to put it simply, all of them are playmakers who would bring added juice to this offense.
 
Again, in the LaFleur system, a true slot receiver isn't a requirement. Adams was the best slot receiver in football last season, but that doesn't mean that having that added element wouldn't be good for this offense. I also want to point out that while I used the term "gadget," these receivers mentioned above are all players that can line up and beat the man across from them with their speed, agility, and route running abilities--they just also happen to be versatile weapons under the right coach, which LaFleur is. 
 
But oftentimes, if you want that explosiveness and that YAC monster in your offense, it's going to come from a player who doesn't have that prototypical big body that the Packers covet. Of the players mentioned, only Smith-Marsette hits the 6'0" mark, but he weighs just 181 pounds. While Rodgers does weigh 212 pounds, but he is only 5'9". 
 
Sure, smaller framed players could be more prone to injuries, but injuries are something that can happen to everyone. And from a pure football standpoint, it's not as if Green Bay will be lining these receivers up on the boundary, telling them to go beat press coverage. You get the ball to them in space and let them make plays. 
 
While the LaFleur offense enhances the YAC ability of his receivers because of the space he's able to create for them; the Packers offense hasn't had that true slot, can make plays after the catch type of receiver. But it's an element that could make this already potent offense incredibly dangerous. 
 
If the Packers don't add this type of player to the offense and they stick to those thresholds, they will still be just fine--this isn't going to make or break them by any means. However, just because you still have the potential to be really good at something doesn't mean you should ignore the opportunity to get better either.
 
Under Mike McCarthy and even before that, this type of receiver wasn't needed, and it wasn't much of a factor -- if at all -- around the NFL. But times have changed, and LaFleur has a different philosophy. This type of player will thrive in his offensive scheme and could help take this offense to a new level.
 
So if the Green Bay Packers have to sacrifice an inch or two of height and 15 pounds, I say go for it. 

 

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__________________________

Born and raised in Green Bay, WI and I still call it home. After my family, watching the Packers, sharing my opinions on the team through my writing and interacting with other fans is my greatest passion. You can find me on Twitter at @Paul_Bretl. 
 

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6 points
 

Comments (56)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
murf7777's picture

April 23, 2021 at 06:29 am

If we go WR early I’d like Bateman by hopefully trading down into the early second. Then double down and get in the 4th or later Jaelon Daedon (sp) from North Texas. I watched his tape, You don’t get anymore quick twitch then this guy.

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Titletown222's picture

April 23, 2021 at 08:21 am

I don’t think Kansas City will pass on Bateman if he’s there so I don’t think he will be available after a trade down. I love those two players! We add an OT (2nd or3rd) and a RB late and draft 2Cbs, 2 DL, an edge and either a S or Ilb for depth. That would be a great draft.

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blondy45's picture

April 23, 2021 at 09:47 am

Murf I am all in on Jaelon Darden in the 5th-6th round. He is one quick son of a gun. He unfortunately is small 5' 8" 174 lbs. Injury risk?

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murf7777's picture

April 23, 2021 at 10:27 am

Yes, probably injury risk, but that late in the draft it would be a good risk to take.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 24, 2021 at 12:18 pm

You have to catch him to hit him.

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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 05:55 pm

He ran a 4.46 at 174lbs. That’s not great. He is from a small school. He’s sudden but he was tearing up small schools, not NFL athletes. I’d rather throw the ball to Jones.

As a returner, lacks great long speed but probably better suited to punts, but I’d be worried every time a gunner hits him.

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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 06:49 am

The last time we took a true slot, Cobb broke these parameters. The question is, do we want a classic slot type, and if so, how much is to be invested in it.

Let’s start by clarifying something. Cobb was taken as much for his return as anything, with a second factor being an ability to operate out of the back field. He probably exceeded expectations as a true slot. It’s also worth remembering that Cobb never shone when asked to play as a conventional one or two. He was versatile as a weapon, but not as a receiver.

Ervin wasn’t a receiver in any true sense. He also wasn’t replaced successfully. The players that played in the slot were mostly there for other schematic reasons and while Ervin was healthy others occupied that spot. We have not replaced the option role, a significant portion of which is the legitimate threat to take handoffs and run the ball.

Moore wasn’t an elite college returner and he was only lightly used as a runner after his first year, and with limited success. He is not a direct equivalent to Cobb. Cobb had much more experience as a runner and a much better record as a returner.

Even Moore’s greatest proponents think he will do best in a spread offense. He’s a guy you get the ball in his hands and let him make use of space. In this offense that’s your gadget or option, but he isn’t a returner, isn’t a sure thing as a backfield force and really is going to struggle pass blocking and at other WR positions.

Moore is the best small slot type this year. He’s not the best fit for the Packers. He may make a splash in the NFL, but really only Tyreek Hill has. Most such types don’t yield early round value careers.

As with Cobb, the driver should be the return and option roles. That could as easily be a nominal RB as a WR. The use of WRs to block, Tonyan and movement of other receivers will eat many of the slot snaps anyway, as we use them to create mismatches and to allow option calls by Rodgers. Moreover, we need a returner first and foremost and we need one who can fill the option role for a minority of snaps a game, mostly as a decoy and when not, often as a runner.

Because that need doesn’t require a great (currently) receiver to have an impact this year, we can get dynamic returners much later who promise as much in those roles. If they are nominally receivers then the height/weight rule is irrelevant: the team didn’t apply it to Cobb or Ervin.

Equally, that type is not going to be the ideal receiver to fill in if another goes down. For that reason we need to find a relatively ready (or veteran) receiver whether or not we draft a small slot type. For that role, blocking and interchangeability matter. As a result, the approximate thresholds continue to be valid and will likely be applied.

Long answer, but we should sign a returner/option type regardless of height or weight, but that I don’t believe the rule applied to them before ( even if they happened to be nominally a WR) and we can do that late or even in UDFA. The rule should stay for the true receivers we sign in this offense so that they can fill other WR roles.

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BradHTX's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:23 am

Great analysis, Coldworld, thanks for this! Well thought out.

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CheesyTex's picture

April 23, 2021 at 12:19 pm

Ditto.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:56 am

Agreed CW. Just because fans have an idea in their mind about what a slot reciever looks like, doesn't mean that is the only successful body type for that role. I think that's one of the roles that was planned for DeGuara, and Aaron Jones is great in the role, as is Davante, and MLF has used Lazard and EQ in the "big slot" role.
As far as returners, all I care is that they catch and don't fumble.

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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 08:46 am

If it is indeed correct that Moore would thrive in a spread offense, he would effectively be very similar to Jones whose best fit in the passing game is where we can get him behind the defenders or in space and let him make things happen.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 24, 2021 at 12:21 pm

The Moore the merrier. He fits LaFleur's offense. Our return game is pathetic and he is tough.

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WestCoastPackerBacker's picture

April 23, 2021 at 04:32 pm

I beg to differ on Cobb. To say that he never shone when playing as a one or a two, is to dismiss some very good seasons receiving. How about in 2014 when he had 1287 yards, a 14.1 YPC and 12 TDs? There are many number one WRs that don't get that many scores in a season. His sophomore season he had very close to 1000 yds receiving and 8 TDs. That's great production from a number two WR.

2 points
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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 06:05 pm

Would you prefer consistently playing “on the perimeter” as opposed to “in the slot”? MM had 3 or more receivers on most plays. I would describe Cobb as the 3rd, but he was effectively a starter. Still never consistently thrived on the outside.

2 points
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friedt's picture

April 23, 2021 at 06:49 am

I know I'll probably get crucified for saying this, but I'd like to see us get one of these short, fast explosive receivers for our offense. I know we need defensive help - particularly CB and DL. But the best defense is a good offense. We already have that - but it could be even much better. When Irvin with his speed and shiftiness is in, it adds a whole new dimension for jet sweep that causes the opposing D major problems.

I'm not saying GB must draft one of these guys in the first round. Go get your CB - Newsome or Samuels - if one of these guys is there. Or if Barmore is there, grab him for the DL. But if one of the Moores is there in the 2nd, go get him. "Spend the nickel" on a high draft choice WR for once. We need speed and a quick guy for the slot position. I think it would make all the difference - to make our offense that much more unstoppable and give Rodgers a new toy he can use, other than relying solely on D. Adams.

8 points
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Nate-1980's picture

April 23, 2021 at 01:53 pm

My thoughts exactly, we need better playmakers at wideout..

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stockholder's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:06 am

I like WRs. But Little guys aren't a slam Dunk. The bust rate is just to great, when you look at the catch radius of a big guy. What we like is the quick twitch. And try and find a big guy who can return punts. I'm sure the packers will continue to draft WRS. But with other needs on defense. The justification must wait.

5 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:52 am

Correct Stockholder. Not only do the little WRs bust often, they also usually have short careers even when they are successful at first.

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BradHTX's picture

April 23, 2021 at 09:49 am

Though there is an exception to every rule.

Ted Ginn Jr has had a career of well over ten years. Granted, he’s 5’10” and 180 which isn’t exactly a midget WR. He’s bounced between half a dozen teams and only had four seasons with over 500yds and one with more than 5 TDs. Hardly a star but a useful player over the years.

But do you want to spend a 1st on that like the Dolphins did? I don’t.

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Swisch's picture

April 23, 2021 at 11:41 am

Cole Beasley, Wes Welker, DeSean Jackson, Steve Smith, Darren Sproles, Tarik Cohen....
If we pick the right guy, he could make the difference in our quest for the Super Bowl.

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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 06:10 pm

Injury prone players , running backs ... the few exceptions to the rule. Sure, there have been good players, some of whom have had long careers, but these are the exceptions not the norm.

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 24, 2021 at 12:25 pm

Edelman

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jannes bjornson's picture

April 24, 2021 at 12:23 pm

Take the speed WR no higher than the third.

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BradHTX's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:14 am

“Since the 2011 draft, the Green Bay Packers have taken 13 receivers, and all but one of them have been under 6'0".”

Paul: I think you mean “...and ONLY one of them.” Might want to correct that.

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Guam's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:44 am

One additional point as to why the Packers like big receivers - they need to BLOCK in the rushing game. MLF certainly understands that issue and has revitalized the Packer rushing attack in part because his receivers do such a good job of downfield blocking. Smaller receivers may be exciting with the ball in their hands, but they have a tougher time blocking when their teammates have the ball - and that is the problem.

Coldworld nailed it when he said the smaller WR really needs to be the returner/jet sweep/option guy and not so much a true WR. And you draft that kind of player on day 3, not day 1 or 2. (In case you don't remember, the "little guy" everyone wants for their team - Tyreek Hill - was drafted in the fifth round.)

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 23, 2021 at 07:50 am

You beat me to it, Guam. Being a good blocker is vital in MLF's system, Remember also, Cobb was short but WAS a good blocker.

1 points
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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 08:20 am

Cobb was as close to being a running back in college as a WR is likely to be. He had a distinct skill set.

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Guam's picture

April 23, 2021 at 09:29 am

Some smaller guys can block well, but I think they would still be challenged by MLF/Shanahan's system. I have watched Packer WRs go after linebackers as part of their blocking assignment and that would be a tough mission even for Cobb. There is a reason for the 200 pound requirement.

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greengold's picture

April 23, 2021 at 01:29 pm

God love ya, Guam. All very well said, along with others here. This is not as easy a proportion as some make it out to be. A "gadget" player last year was lucky to get 25 snaps in a game. Spend an R1 on THAT? Can't be just a gadget. The value comes in Return skills and blocking ability. Those are tough to find.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 23, 2021 at 08:02 am

Give me a couple of tall, high RAS WRs who can block, late instead. If we hit on one Josh Imatorbhebhe, Simi Fehoko, Jacob Harris type, that's a bigger win in my book. They can also be a number 1 or 2 in the future, but a tiny slot guy will never be that in MLF's offense.

4 points
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PeteK's picture

April 23, 2021 at 08:10 am

I think Jeremiah Haydel might fit that role. He does it all, and should be available in later rounds.

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blondy45's picture

April 23, 2021 at 10:09 am

I would love Nico Collins, Michigan in the 4th-5th round. Big 6'4' 222 pounds with a 9.56 RAS score and comes from a school with great competition. Draft a smaller slot/returner guy later if the scouting staff can find one.

2 points
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PackEyedOptimist's picture

April 23, 2021 at 10:53 am

I keep taking Collins in the third round of my mocks, but I really expect him to be gone before 92.

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scullyitsme's picture

April 23, 2021 at 10:07 am

We need two receivers in this class, 1 stud, and 1 whatever guy/ returner. Unfortunately as the author states, last year had the big body studs, this year not so much.Amari Rodgers in the late 2nd or 3rd would be a good value I think. Davante is the only receiver we have that can get open right off the line with one or two moves and he’s doubled and tripled, we need a second. Have for years. I don’t care if he’s big or small. If we had that guy last year we could of gashed Tampa and their pash rush. Instead Aaron got smothered having to hold the ball.

4 points
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CheesyTex's picture

April 23, 2021 at 12:34 pm

Amari Rodgers is a big, fast body that's just not tall

IMO that if he's on the board at 62, he's a Packer.

2 points
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Nate-1980's picture

April 23, 2021 at 05:13 pm

Amari Rodgers Looks impressive, I hope we get him, but I’m sure we won’t..:(

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Nate-1980's picture

April 23, 2021 at 05:05 pm

Exactly scully, that could’ve made a huge difference, Rodgers needs help in the playoffs or against elite defenses if he’s struggling.. But we were the number one offense so we don’t need it people say for some reason..

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Coldworld's picture

April 23, 2021 at 06:16 pm

Might have helped if we had reminded them we might run it. Defending guys over the middle was something if a strength of theirs given their speed in the middle.

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scullyitsme's picture

April 24, 2021 at 09:05 am

When davante is triple teamed I don’t care how fast your defense is, that leaves someone one on one with a linebacker, we need a receiver that can win that matchup

2 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 23, 2021 at 09:33 am

For more than a half-dozen years the Packers have been deficient in the middle of the field without a consistent year after year talented TE, or slot receiver. Adam's of course would make an extremely good full-time slot receiver. Last year, Tonyan answered the call at TE, but totally agree with the premise of this article. A smaller, quick slot receiver with a quick twitch and amazing first step to go along with Tonyan and others at TE would do amazing things for this offense.

Of the slot receivers mentioned in the article my hope is for either Kadarius Toney, or Elijah Moore, Either one of those receivers would dynamically change the offense in ways we cannot even imagine.

Having said that the Packers desperately need a talented OT in either round 1 or round 2. I have been saying that for well over a year. Obviously, they need a CB, or a Safety for the backfield. I am not as concerned at LB as many are as I think the Packers have enough young talent there that will develop. DL is a mess and desperately could use a major infusion of talent but it appears this draft doesn't have the talent required to be much of a difference maker in the upper rounds. Therefore, it is going to come down to the best players available in rounds 1, 2, and 3 IMO. If either Kadarious, or Elijah are available at #29 in round 1 I would almost for certain take one of them and push the OT, and the DB need into rounds 2, and rounds 3. Of course, the latter will completely depend on what talent is available at OT, and DB. I see OT being the biggest need between OT and CB. If any of these OT's are available with our first selection I would have a very hard time passing on Penei Sewell, Teven Jenkins, Liam Eichenberg, or Dillon Radunz.

Why I trust Gutey will make the best call and why I so love the NFL draft. Those 3 positions are big and whomever he takes in round 1 absolutely has to be a significant talent. A good OT can easily play 10+ years while receivers generally tend to not play that long in the NFL.

3 points
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frankthefork's picture

April 23, 2021 at 10:12 am

Of course Guter is taking a WR or two. Just think if a QB like Franks is taken in the 5th or 6th by GB. In 2022 if AR12 and DA17 aren't resigned there's $50 m in cap space to shore up holes and rebuild for the Love Franks era...ugh a week to go. Oh the irony and sarcasm so early in the morning from the gallery.

2 points
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PatrickGB's picture

April 23, 2021 at 10:54 am

Some of the best “slot guys” started out playing a different position. How about a RB who can catch but not that great as a RB. He would fall on the boards and be available because he is not a great RB at the LOS yet is quick and elusive in space. These guys often fall between the cracks on draft day. That’s a value pick. He could also improve the return game which is a current weakness.

3 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 24, 2021 at 11:18 am

A possible value pick likely means day 3. If they can get the talent at OT and CB in first couple rounds than simply find best options at WR, and slot.

Would seem to me a WR for outside, and a slot WR should be in the cards this year.

0 points
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Swisch's picture

April 23, 2021 at 11:04 am

I like it!
Try someone different, someone dynamic, someone daring and dashing and dangerous.
We still have plenty of the tall receivers to go around. Why not add someone shifty and elusive and quick and speedy for a scintillating change of pace? With ten to twenty snaps, he would add a new dimension of lightning ready to strike at any time.
It doesn't have to be in the first round, but I wouldn't rule it out. There doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm among fans here at CHTV for trading up to get better rookies who could make an immediate impact. The thinking seems to be that this draft is so deep with talent that we may even want to trade down.
Well, fans wanted a receiver in the first round in the last draft, and so if we pick a gadgety slot receiver first this time around (because he may really stand out compared to all the rest), we'd still have six other selections in the first five rounds. Maybe all of those guys would be good enough to contribute significantly this upcoming season at DL and CB and OL and ILB.
I know I'm repeating myself in large part from recent posts, but I haven't been overwhelmed with the responses. I'm wondering if fans here, upon further reflection, are open to taking a risk with some unexpected ingenuity. I could be wrong and I'm okay with disagreements -- but are shorter and lighter guys really all that much more likely to be injured? Haven't Davante and Lazard and ESB missed a lot of games with injuries in recent times?
Say we're in a rematch in the NFC championship against the Bucs. Maybe it's first-and-goal from the 8, and we're down by a touchdown. Just having someone like Rondale Moore on the field seems to open up so many more possibilities for putting us ahead and over the top.

2 points
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Bear's picture

April 23, 2021 at 11:52 am

Switch, I understand where you’re coming from but in most cases first year draft picks aren’t that successful during their rookie year. Interestingly, this success rate continues to be low even at the very top of the draft.

Taken from a study of 10 years of drafting:
Pick #. Success Rate %
1-5. 77.1
6-10. 51.4
11-15. 57.1
16-20. 51.4
21-32. 47.0

While there does appear to be a dropoff at the end of the draft, even in the top 10, the numbers are very poor. What I mean to show from this, however, is not that everything is impossible and that we should all give up, but rather that the conventions and techniques that have been used in most of scouting in recent years are far from perfect, and that maybe, just maybe, it might be worth trying something else.
While there does appear to be a dropoff at the end of the draft, even in the top 10, the numbers are very poor. What I mean to show from this, however, is not that everything is impossible and that we should all give up, but rather that the conventions and techniques that have been used in most of scouting in recent years are far from perfect, and that maybe, just maybe, it might be worth trying something else.

20 years counted.
According to Pro Football Reference, most drafted players are busts. the only problem with their system is they don’t take into account the round they where picked. But anyway…
16.7% don’t even end playing for the drafting team (20 years average)
37% are considered ‘useless’, or busts.
5.3% are ‘poor’. Busts such as Jamarcus Russell are here.
So 69% are ‘poor’ or worst.
10.5% average
12.3% good 
6.8% great
1% legendary
That gives 20.1% good. 2 out of 10.

4 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

April 24, 2021 at 09:46 am

Swisch, I'm with you!

There is no doubt a quick twitch slot receiver would be dynamic in this offense making it even more dangerous.

To Bear's point below should the Packers draft such a WR in one of the first 3 rounds the talent should be there. Their success in year one will largely depend on LF and Rodgers. How much are they willing to incorporate and involve the rookie slot receiver, particularly early in the season so by playoff time they are essentially an experienced/seasoned veteran?

It would be very difficult for me to draft anything other than an OT in round one based on the importance. An absolutely outstanding player at either CB, or WR would have needed to drop unexpectedly and be available at #29 in round 1 for me to deviate from an OT. A Caleb Farley or one of those two dynamic slot receivers (KT or EM) just might be the players that could make me deviate from drafting an OT in round 1, but only if I felt I could still get a talented OT in round 2.

1 points
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Swisch's picture

April 24, 2021 at 06:29 pm

Knock, the draft seems a delicate three-way balance of position of need; best player available; and who is left in the rest of the draft for other selections. That's the drama of the draft.
Should be fun next weekend to see how it goes. I'm good with an OT, CB , or perhaps DL in round one if we're happy with the slot receivers that should be available later.

0 points
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Oppy's picture

April 24, 2021 at 01:51 pm

Davante Adams is one of the league's shiftiest, most elusive WRs.

Just sayin'.

1 points
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Grandfathered's picture

April 24, 2021 at 10:54 pm

Bigger guys have been better blockers. In three WR stacked, and the formations ML likes, blocking is important.

0 points
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Leatherhead's picture

April 23, 2021 at 01:27 pm

This is the season to stop obsessing about WRs.

1 points
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PackfanNY's picture

April 23, 2021 at 03:50 pm

Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t see the Packers drafting a WR early.

Knowing the Packers they are going OT early. Bakhtiari will miss likely the early part of the season and they already have a need on the right side. They already cut Wagner. OT’s are projected to be around when the Packers pick at 29.

I am not sure that’s what I would do but OT pick is a very Packer like move.

1 points
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HankScorpio's picture

April 23, 2021 at 04:40 pm

"One of the more obvious trends that has been observed over the years is their love of the big-bodied receiver. "

I wish there was enough data to say that. There is not. Any preference TT might have had cannot be assigned to Gute. Under Gute, the Packers have not drafted enough WRs to say whether they have a size preference. 3 guys could just be a coinky dink.

2 points
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Oppy's picture

April 24, 2021 at 02:04 pm

I do believe LeFleur has expressed an interest in big bodies because at it's heart it's a run first offense.

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Oppy's picture

April 24, 2021 at 01:49 pm

It confuses me that people seem to think being a small slot receiver makes you a commodity.
Slot receivers need to be either quick or physical and have command of the full route tree.

Yes, there have been many undersized receivers who have done well in the slot. It's not because of their size, it is in spite of their size.

0 points
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Oppy's picture

April 24, 2021 at 02:08 pm

I was just thinking to myself, 2021 is the year I'd like to see the Packers draft a and develop a 6'0" 265 lbs. OT

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Handsback's picture

April 24, 2021 at 05:08 pm

Well Toney from FL is 5'-11.5 " tall and 193 Lbs. and runs the 40 in 4.37 sec.
Scouting Report:
His start/stop athleticism and rubber joints leave talented athletes awkward in pursuit…tremendous ankle flexion to explode out of his cuts…slips out of tackle attempts due to his muscle twitch and body balance…owns the above average acceleration that defenders must account for with their angles…uses sudden feet to manipulate coverage mid-route, creating separation…catches the ball well in stride…runs tougher than expected for his size, lowering his pads and using his momentum to keep his feet through arm tackles…Became the featured punt returner in 2020, averaging 12.6 yards per return and scoring once (11/139/1)…also returned kicks (21/324/0)…has the strongest arm on the team, according to the Florida coaches, finishing 3-for-6 passing for 82 yards and one touchdown throw.
Sounds a lot like Cobb and if Green bay wants him, it would probably need to be in the first round. Yet he has warts....he's only started one year and has been suspended and was stopped for having a AR-15 in his car.
In Texas, that makes him a normal person, not sure how it would look in WI.

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