Which Packers Wide Receiver Is Most Likely to Step Up in 2025?
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers have been looking to add a go-to receiver this offseason. Thus far, the team hasn’t done that, although they did add depth with the signing of Mecole Hardman. But which of the Packers returning receivers is most likely to step up and become the team’s top receiver in 2025? Here are the top three candidates to take over that spot. This does not include any players the Packers could add via trades, free agency, or the draft.
Number Three: Romeo Doubs
Doubs returns for his fourth season with the Packers. This is his contract year, so the former Nevada star has plenty of incentive to have a big season. He caught 46 passes for 601 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games last season.
Doubs has many things working in his favor. While he isn’t an elite deep receiver, he runs disciplined routes and may be the team’s most reliable short-to-intermediate range receiver. He and Jordan Love have outstanding chemistry, and Love often looks to Doubs first in clutch, third down situations.
There are also obstacles facing Doubs if he wants to be WR1. The fact that he’s not a major deep threat remains a part of it. Doubs is not the kind of players defenses fear although they do respect his ability to make short and intermediate catches.
In addition, the Packers suspended Doubs for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. The receiver allegedly was disappointed with his lack of targets and his role in the offense. While Doubs returned to the team after sitting out one game, the underlying issue was not reportedly resolved and may carry over to this season.
In addition, Doubs suffered two concussions late in the 2024 season. That makes him more susceptible to concussions in the future.
Doubs has a lot to play for in 2025 but may be better suited to being a WR2 or WR3.
Number Two: Dontayvion Wicks
Wicks provides the Packers with more of a deep threat than Doubs, but he is also less consistent. He caught 39 passes for the second straight year, but he had 18 more targets in 2024 than the previous season. He also dropped nine passes in 76 targets, an 11.8 percent drop rate.
Inconsistent hands have been a problem for Wicks dating back to his time at Virginia.
With Christian Watson out of the lineup for at least the first half of the season, Wicks should get more targets downfield. In 2023, when Watson was out of the lineup for several games in the second half of the season, Love looked to Wicks and the receiver came up with some big plays on long passes.
Wicks may be the least consistent member of the Packers receiving corps, but he may also have the most upside.
Number One: Jayden Reed
Reed led the Packers with 55 catches and 857 receiving yards last season and finished second on the team with six touchdown catches.
Reed operates primarily out of the slot. He was on the field for just 63 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. With Watson’s expected absence, that number could very well increase in 2025.
In the first half of last season, Reed was a playmaker for the Packers. He was getting downfield and making big plays on catches, jet sweeps, and end arounds.
In the second half of the season, Reed seemed to only get the ball a few yards downfield or even behind the line of scrimmage. Matt LaFleur changed the way the Packers utilized Reed, and his productivity dropped as a result.
Reed was also credited with nine dropped passes by pro-football-reference.com and had a drop percentage of 12.0. This is something he will need to improve upon if he hopes to become the team’s top receiver next season.
The addition of Hardman via free agency will likely mean Reed will no longer be returning punts next season. This should allow him to concentrate on his receiving duties going forward.
Reed has led the team in catches in each of his first two seasons in the NFL. He has the best chance to become the team’s top receiver in 2025 as of now.
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Comments (54)
Leatherhead
March 27, 2025 at 10:11 am
Jayden Reed.
He had a lot of drops last year. So many, that people said he was having a down year. He gave us over 1000 yards of offense, second only to Jacobs. His 13.6 yards/touch was second only to Watson.
75 targets in 17 games means he's only getting targeted 4 or 5 times a game. IMO, target him 7 or 8 times a game, target Kraft a little more, and get some help in the draft. And since I don't want to throw more, that means that some people are going to get 1 or 2 fewer targets per game.
Reed-Jacobs/Wilson-Kraft. That should be 70% of our offense right there.
MitchellAdams
March 27, 2025 at 10:21 am
Jayden Reed is the key but Wicks and Doubs elevating with QB Jordan Love would make this offense unstoppable.
Coldworld
March 27, 2025 at 11:53 am
Reed would be my pick to be most likely, if we can get back to running more traditional slot plays. I think it was usage not ability that led to his drop off in the second half of last year.
Doubs is fine, especially when integrated as a target not doing dirty work. Again, I think we could get more out of him with better calling, as we saw in the 2023 playoffs. We don’t use his route finesse well enough. Not a league star but a good piece. The worry with him is the legacy of those concussions, which none of us know.
Wicks is the player who I believe could still be the best of the bunch. IF he can master his catching. Part of that is learning to run co distant routes to be where his QB expects him to be and in the right body position at the right time. His natural ability to separate is great, but it’s not a substitute for precision and predictability. Adams learned that and transformed himself, but does Wicks have that awareness and drive? I hope he’s working his butt off this off season. Not the most likely to turn himself around, but the one that makes the biggest difference if he does.
Melton (like Reed) is a slot. Use them there 90 percent of the time or more and both will be better immediately. That’s an example of how much LaFleur is intertwined with this question. We need a lot better from him than that O he called in the second half of last season.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:44 pm
"Adams learned that and transformed himself, but does Wicks have that awareness and drive?"
That was one of the main reasons I was hoping they'd resign Adams. Mentoring Wicks might have been huge for his development. Garrett Wilson said Adams taught him something every day in practice or the film room that helped him.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:02 pm
So you're dinging Kraft for his 3 1st down conversions? 😬
Leatherhead
March 27, 2025 at 12:41 pm
No, I'm recognizing that he was one of our leading offensive players last year.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:46 pm
He definitely should have been, they might have gotten further.
Dragon5
March 27, 2025 at 10:13 am
The healthy one.
Kraft 7 life path
Reed 7 life path
Wicks 7 life path AND born on 16th (1 + 6=7day)
7 Energy: high IQ, introverted / loner, and INJURY PRONE
LVN, Wyatt, King, McManus also 7s
Wyatt increased odds of injury in personal 7 year 03-31-2025 3+3+1+2+2+5 = 16 1+6=7
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:04 pm
🤔Have you been licking Stockholder's frogs? Stay away from the orange ones!
Dragon5
March 27, 2025 at 02:20 pm
Why yes I have, and orange just happens to be my favorite color. Frog licking gives edge👍
T7Steve
March 27, 2025 at 10:30 am
Reed and Kraft will keep ascending on the path mentioned above by LH. I'd like to see some goal line and got to have them short first down high passes to a tall healthy Musgrave where the defenders can't reach them. That will be hard to get though if I get my wish of more passes to Jacobs and him just running the ball behind a revamped and improved O-line.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 10:47 am
I sincerely think and would like to see us being one of those 2-3 teams we see every year where a TE ends up with 90-100 catches. I think if our coach is as creative as many of you believe he is, let’s scheme and get Kraft those 90 plus catches. Then, let’s get Musgrave 50-60 catches while all of our running backs combined get 80-90 catches.
Use our receivers only as needed or for chunk plays off of play action and quick slants during high tempo series.
I think we are hoping to see our WR’s suddenly show us something they never have yet with this group. They drop the ball a lot, they get injured a lot and go missing for large chunks of games.
Meanwhile, we have great RB’s who can catch and run along with a stud TE who is being grossly underused. Musgrave is the wildcard in this. We could be both stout and insanely creative and productive if we use the actual talent we do have while using and relying on everything else for what it’s only capable of.
Our 1’s are playing the RB and TE position. Treat it as such until we can actually draft a 1, purchase a 1, or develop a 1. I am thus far not seeing the WR room with any 1.
Guam
March 27, 2025 at 11:18 am
Kansas City didn't do too badly last year with Kelce and a bunch of second rate WRs. I would think LaFleur could take a page from Andy Reid's playbook and do quite well.
Leatherhead
March 27, 2025 at 11:19 am
That's not the Packers. In the 54 seasons since the merger, a prolific, high-volume TE has not been a component of the Packers offense. Not once. Coffman, Chmura, Finley, whatever.
There are other teams that do feature TEs in the passing game.
Getting 150 catches out of Kraft and Musgrave would mean we'd have to throw about 200 passes to them. as opposed to the 87 targets they got this year.
So, where do those 113 targets come from? Do we give Jacobs fewer touches? Do we throw less to the WRs?
In Green Bay, the TE is a 6th offensive lineman, and his first job is blocking. If he can catch, we throw it to him a couple of times a game. Very few TEs in our history have caught 50 passes or more. Even Paul Coffman barely caught 4 passes per game.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 11:36 am
So let's just keep on being a moth to the flame? That's insanely narrow minded. If our best weapons for a couple years shift us towards a different philosophy to help us win games, why would they not? You have to adapt from play to play, game to game, year to year. Trying to smash a square peg into a round hole cuz hey, that's the 54 year old GB way is so dim. You play to your strengths!
Coldworld
March 27, 2025 at 11:40 am
That’s not necessarily something to be complacent about. It also covers a lot of different coaches, schemes, philosophies and GMs. Inability to change is a recipe for not getting better.
However, even if it reflects a lack of priority in building a roster, if our best or near best weapon turns out to be a TE then suck it up and build an appropriate O not claim that he’s just a blocker. Failure to do so would just indicate a coach who can’t adjust or won’t, to reality and thus won’t get the best from the talent he’s given.
T7Steve
March 27, 2025 at 12:08 pm
I'm hoping with the new revamped improved O-line this season, that the TEs and backs won't both at the same time at least, have to help a line that was just a smidge too quick letting Love be pressured and have to hurry his reads or skip them altogether, which might have also contributed to some of the dropped passes.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Kraft was the most efficient passing weapon last year and it wasn't close. I don't care about what other Packer TEs did in the past, in the modern age if you have a great TE like Kittle or Kelce you make him a high volume receiver. Kraft's underuse last year was borderline criminal considering how inefficient the WRs were.
Bitternotsour
March 27, 2025 at 04:06 pm
you're knocking that out like somehow it's DNA. The 54 seasons post-merger are with different coaches and philosophies, and there's no hard rule that dictates how many targets a tight end gets. It's a choice that's being made, not a rule that is followed. If the offense needs to be more effective it has to be from somewhere and there is a damn lot of talent in the tight end room. It's up to coach eyebrow grooming to exploit it.
BuckyBadger
March 27, 2025 at 10:54 am
When Reed came out of school he was already pretty polished and played a lot of football. Most scouts thought he was a good player but probably didn't have a much higher ceiling then he had coming out of school. The prevailing thought was what you see is what you are going to get. At 24 years he should be hitting his prime but I am not sure how much more he can elevate his game. This isn't a raw prospect who wins with talent and can raise his play by polishing his game. Reed was already pretty polished coming out of school.
Wouldn't shock me if Kraft becomes the top weapon. He was the best TE in YAC yards and 7th in yards over all. TEs in the NFL usually take 3 years get used to playing the position at this level. I see him maybe becoming a premier player at this position.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:30 pm
I think Kittle passed Kraft in total YAC yards but I'm pretty sure Kraft killed him in YAC per reception. I don't think he should see 150 targets like Bowers and McBride but 110 instead of 70 would be a great start. As well as he played the idea that two TEs had twice as many targets as he did is crazy. For perspective Jonnu Smith had 111 targets on team that has Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on it.
If they don't up his targets they stand a good chance of him walking after four years. I'd hate to see that but I also wouldn't blame him.
*Kraft averaged 9.1 YAC per reception last year, Kittle 6.7. Not as big a difference as I thought but still a pretty good amount. 9 extra yards a catch and they only give him 70 targets. 🙄
Coldworld
March 27, 2025 at 06:30 pm
Kittle was the third of 3 TEs with over 1000 yards. Kraft finished with 707. His yards per reception was 14.1, behind only Kittle who had 14.2. Kittle had 8 TDs, Kraft 7, putting him 4th. Kittle had over half as many receptions against as Kraft, so given drops rate, Kraft would have bested him had he been targetted more.
jannesbjornson
March 27, 2025 at 09:13 pm
They should ink him to an Extension mid-season. He's your priority signing. Can LaFleur figure it out how to sustain Kraft's excellence?
bjkdad44
March 27, 2025 at 05:32 pm
🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻
Savage57
March 27, 2025 at 11:00 am
Romeo Drops
Droptayvion Wicks
Jaydrop Reed
Bo Dropton
I kill me sometimes, and I know you'd like to as well.
Leatherhead
March 27, 2025 at 11:31 am
OK, that made me smile.
I'll leave Dropton out this, because he only was targeted a few times.
But the other three......they killed many drives last year, one or two a game.. If you only have 10 or 11 possessions, and then 2 of them get killed by a drop, you've probably given away 5 points. An extra 5 points last year, in 5 games, would have given us the league's best record.
For all the angst about Josh Myers and Matt LaFleur, the WR unit was the biggest drag on the offense last year.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 01:02 pm
That's why until we address the WR room, we need to be looking more at RB and TE's to be primary targets until this happens. It's about winning, not forcing the ball into mistakes while ignoring where the actual talent on offense actually is. It doesn't have be permanent. Look, I'm an old stubborn fella too. But this GB team and coaching staff need to be more adaptable to what they have and how to use it. If the current blueprint has architectural flaws in it's foundation, you change it, immediately. You do not just continue to build a structure on top of it anyway cuz that's just how it's always been.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 02:19 pm
The way LaFleur talked about designing a play package for Lloyd last year before his injuries I think he was planning on splitting him out occasionally like they did Jonesy.
I also think if they improve the yards before contact on the running plays it could lead to less carries overall. I think Banks helps with that but running Lloyd outside could as well. Love finished with 425 attempts in roughly 14½ games. Projected out that's 500 attempts in 17 games. Basically two more attempts a game would have been 9th in the league last year. So run it a little(or a lot) better and throw it a little more to the right players and the offense should improve. Like Gutey said the biggest issue was bogging down at pivotal points in games. Eliminating run stuffs on 1st down and converting short yardage situations at a higher rate could help a lot.
jannesbjornson
March 27, 2025 at 09:16 pm
If the players are there , bag a WR in round One & Two. Play to Win, not weep.
stockholder
March 27, 2025 at 11:52 am
They will give everyone a chance to improve.
Devante Adams did.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 01:05 pm
Well, not everyone is Devante Adams are they? Everyone throws it out there like he's rule and not the exception.
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2025 at 12:01 pm
First, let's come to terms with what is a legitimate 'step-up' actually is.
Second, the WR's are all the same guy yet different.
Third, TE's should never be the #1 receiver by design.
Fourth, is the Offensive scheme designed to have a true #1
Fifth, Watson would be a #1, but isn't for three reasons;
!) He doesn't command double coverage, roll D scheme to him
2) He simply isn't available enough to change the above.
3) He isn't feared, and Love can't make him be, despite MLF helping it to become a real thing or not.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:11 pm
"Third, TE's should never be the #1 receiver by design."
Wrong. You don't want to replicate what the 49ers and Chiefs have done recently? Kelce on the downslope of his career now but he was the main weapon in the Chiefs last two SB wins.
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2025 at 12:33 pm
There is always an outlier, but guys like Kelche, Gronk became what they were for their teams because of non-dominant WR's. Both teams went through a lot of guys at WR, though NE had a better run with Welker and Edelman. This Packer team does not have a Kelche or Gronk, yet, at least. That would be a huge step-up for Kraft.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 01:00 pm
His numbers were pretty damn close to Kittle's last year, minus the volume. He was a top 10 TE in every metric but catches last year, where he was 19th. Not using that efficiency more was not a wise choice.
BTW Kraft had a better year than Kelce did in his 2nd year.
Kelce 67 catches/12.8 YPC/5TDs
Kraft 50 catches/14.1 YPC/7TDs
So I guess you would have said Kelce didn't deserve more volume after his 2nd year?
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2025 at 01:10 pm
You just lowered the bar of comparison. Kittle is not in Kelche or Gronks lleague/level. Kittle is a very good TE, but he cannot take over a game like the other two.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 01:14 pm
BS. He's been in the league 4 years less than Kelce and his best seasons are comparable to Kelce's. He's also a much better blocker. Kelce has had 10 seasons where he got over 100 targets, Kittle has had 2. Kelce isn't better because he gets more targets. Kittle has a higher YPC, higher YAC and a higher TD percentage than Kelce.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 01:10 pm
Taryn
"There is always an outlier, but guys like Kelche, Gronk became what they were for their teams because of non-dominant WR's." Exactly! So who are our dominant WR's again?
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2025 at 01:16 pm
We have none, and for it to be suggested at this time that Kraft is, is foolish. Can he become a Kelche or Gronk? I don't know, I'd love to see it, but, that puts a lot on the plates of Kraft and MLF, not to dismiss Love.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 01:26 pm
If you would love to see it, the opportunity has be there. Since the WR room is a mess for now, why argue against profiling our TE and RB room to be the bulk of our game plan? If Kraft and company aren't up to the task, then we know where we're at. You sound like you don't even want to test the waters? Why. If it works, it would be fun to watch.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 01:48 pm
Last year Kraft was tied for 18th in targets and catches, was 2nd YPC, 7th in yards, tied for 4th in TDs, 4th in YAC and 1st in YAC average. Like Sesame Street says one of these things is not like the other. I don't understand where the disconnect is.
I'd like to see him get 110 targets this year, that's two more a game with couple weeks at three more. You don't have to revamp the offense to achieve that. I'd also like to see him get a few more deeper targets. His ADOT last year was 5.3 while Kittle's was 8.1.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 02:08 pm
I totally agree. His production per his low targets was massive. Just imagine feeding him 2-3 more targets a game, you know, the targets that were getting dropped anyway? Talk about win right there.
TarynsEyes
March 27, 2025 at 02:03 pm
I'm not arguing against anything, just pointing out what it would need to transpire with success. If they feel Kraft is on that level of ability/talent, go for it.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 01:27 pm
And Kelce wasn't any better than Kraft in his 2nd year(Kittle definitely was). But if they're going to continue to run a balanced offense I'd rather see him turn into a Kittle than a Kelce.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 02:11 pm
If you remember the Colts TE from Iowa years ago, Dallas Clarke (Clark?) playing with Manning? Kraft reminds me of him a bit. Look him up?
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 02:26 pm
IIRC Clark had some big seasons but wasn't much of a blocker. Kraft reminds me of prime Kittle after the catch, injuries have slowed him a little.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 03:47 pm
Over all, yes, you are correct. I meant his receiving and YAC looks similar to Clark. My bad.
T7Steve
March 27, 2025 at 12:16 pm
Watson is to MLF's offense what MVS was. His plays seem to want a speedy field stretcher (which helps) for his plays to develop. I'm sure that may help most offenses but seems more important for his play calling.
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 12:21 pm
I'd agree with this order but the best thing for the Packers would be Wicks taking the biggest step. Even if he just reverted to his 1st year production but with more volume you'd feel a lot better about his odds of fulfilling his potential. Projecting his 1st year stats on 100 targets would put him at 67 catches for 998 yards and 6 TDs. It took Davante 121 targets to get 75 catches in his 3rd year, albeit with QBs even less accurate than Love.
Alberta_Packer
March 27, 2025 at 01:44 pm
I occasionally like to play longshots. So Bo Melton is my wager. The only receiver on the team with better tools is Christian Watson. Melton has the second highest RAS, the second fastest 40, and the second fastest 3-cone - all to Watson. Plus Melton has shown the ability to make plays. So if the Packers are looking for a Christian Watson replacement - why not the receiver-in-waiting?
LLCHESTY
March 27, 2025 at 01:55 pm
The problem is both he and Reed are terrible against man coverage so there's going to be games you definitely won't want them on the field at the same time. Melton did only 35% of his routes out of the slot so that could be well for him being the deep option out of the Z spot.
I wouldn't be shocked if he beat out Hardman but they'd probably have to have another return option for that to happen. Melton wasn't terrible returning kickoffs at Rutgers but only returned 5 punts while there for 7.6 average. Maybe they draft a WR or DB that returned punts.
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 02:13 pm
Yes. Melton would be better in the slot. So they would have to take turns. Who knows, maybe Melton would be better than Reed if he started at the slot position? IDK?
rickschu
March 27, 2025 at 03:34 pm
just worried... maybe overly worried about the concussions back to back that Romeo Doubs suffered. I wonder if he will come back strong. He looked pretty feeble after the second.... the number and frequency have to be a concern. Luckily the Pack has always been ultra careful with their players injuries.... hoping for the best result for both player and team
crayzpackfan
March 27, 2025 at 04:33 pm
Okay, so here is my draft with trades. After reading how concerned people are with our WR room (duh) and some depth and starting pieces elsewhere, here is what I came up with. Some will hate it, some will find it comfort food, while others will see at least some value.
I moved all the way back into the 2nd round. This is for LH!! ;)
34. Tre Harris - WR Ole Miss – Our current cast isn’t cutting it, and contracts are coming due
54. Jayden Higgins - WR Iowa State – Can’t believe he was still there but again - Our current cast isn’t cutting it, and contracts are coming due
65. Jared Wilson - OC Georgia – Mostly a pick for next year but hey, if he’s all that, then he starts or he’s next man up.
90. Tyler Baron - Edge Miam Fl. – Depth and future for guys moving on or us moving on from others
124. Howard Cross III – DT Notre Dame – Pickings got slim from what I did at 34-65. He became BAP for me at DT
177. Luke Lachey – TE Iowa – Why can’t we have an Iowa TE too? Everyone else does. Depth and insurance if Musgrave goes down or gets sent packing.
182. Connor Colby – OG Iowa – More depth as I see a lot of moving parts in the coming couple years in OL room. He’s a quality player, athletic and fits.
198. Ty Robinson – DT Nebraska – trying make amends for not taking a level one DT. But I think the two I got here in this mock are worth a look and a flyer. It puts bodies in a place of need
202. Kitan Crawford – S Nevada – I wanted two safeties on the team named Kitan. But seriously, this guy is athletic and loves to tackle. Special Teams all day with this guy while he develops.
237. Last but not least – GB’s Mr. Irrelevant – Jalen Travis – OT Iowa State – He’s a big SOB!! 6-7, 339 pounds with a 9.91 RAS!! If this doesn’t absolutely scream GB OT draft and develop project than nothing else does folks. And if he does develop? Look out Jack!!