The Future for the Packers Receiving Corps Looks Bright
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers entered the 2023 season with a lot of uncertainty at wide receiver. None of the players on the active roster had more than one season of pro experience and when you add a pair of rookie tight ends and a new starting quarterback with one previous career NFL start, there were many reasons to question the unit.
Early in the season, those questions were magnified due to the inconsistent performances of this young group. Players dropped too many passes. They didn’t run the right patterns or make the right reads on the coverage, resulting in two or more players being in the same place on the field at the same time.
Injuries also played a part as potential starters missed games and were limited in others due to an assortment of ailments.
But now in December, this young group of receivers has shown significant progress and a lot of potential. While they still have a way to go before becoming elite players, there are many reasons for hope in Green Bay about his unit.
Second-year man Christian Watson has established himself as the team’s best deep threat and big play receiver. He has the size and speed that forces opposing defenses to account for him on every play. Even if Watson isn’t getting the football, his presence in the lineup can help open things up for his teammates.
The biggest issues for Watson are consistency and health. He needs to improve his hands a bit and perfect his route running.
But staying healthy has been the biggest challenge for the former North Dakota State star. He only played in nine of the team’s first 14 games this season and has been limited in others due to hamstring issues.
Romeo Doubs has become a steady presence in his second season in the NFL. He is second on the Packers with 52 catches and 567 yards and leads the team with seven touchdown catches.
The Nevada alum has developed good chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love, and he is often the player Love looks for when he needs a clutch catch on third down.
Doubs has cut down his drops this year. In his rookie season, he had nine drops on 67 targets. This year, he has just four on 84 targets.
Doubs may not be an elite deep threat like Watson, but he’s savvy and reliable and finds ways to make plays in the red zone and in key situations.
Rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks have also emerged as valuable contributors to the offense this season. Reed leads the Packers with 54 catches and 592 yards. He is second on the team with six touchdown grabs.
Reed has lined up predominantly in the slot. Early on, he ran a go pattern towards the sideline that was his go-to play. As the season progressed, he added more patterns to his repertoire and also began to excel at end arounds, push passes and jet sweeps.
Wicks has been the most pleasant surprise of the young group. Injuries limited him in training camp and the preseason, but he’s made his mark during his rookie campaign.
Wicks has good speed and determination. He has played through injuries and has run over and through some potential tacklers to prove his toughness.
When Watson is out of the lineup, Wicks becomes a candidate to be the team’s best downfield threat.
Thus far on the season, Wicks has 31 catches for 491 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers are more impressive when you consider he missed a game and has played only 46 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in the games he did play.
This group still needs refinement and polish. But the good news is, they have a diverse skill set, compliment each other well, and seem to be supportive of each other on the field.
The other good news is that they are all under contract through the end of either 2025 in the case of Watson and Doubs or 2026 in the case of Wicks and Reed. That gives them plenty of time to develop better chemistry with Love. This group has the potential to develop into something special if they stay healthy and work hard.
Now it’s up to Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff to bring out their full potential.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (35)
splitpea1
December 21, 2023 at 11:32 am
I would mostly agree, but more is needed. Wicks has proven himself to be a tough guy (love players who can gut it out through injury and still perform well) and Reed has been a valuable and necessary addition. I like Heath as well, seemingly another tough player--I would like to see him get more opportunities.
The problem is that we're still lacking a true #1. Watson misses too much time and definitely needs refinement, but we're stuck with him as our biggest threat unless a prime pick like Harrsion, Jr. falls our way and Gute decides to pull the trigger--and both are unlikely.
As usual, I would mind adding another smaller, more elusive type to add to the mix that doesn't fit the typical Packer prototype. We need all weapons we can get on offense. Note the success that Addison and Zay Flowers are having in their rookie seasons. Maybe Gute can find some more gold in the middle or back of the draft; otherwise we have more pressing issues.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 21, 2023 at 12:44 pm
"I would mostly agree, but more is needed."
As a welcome diversion from the current problems, this is a fun discussion to have. I'm not suggesting that this WR room is perfect, I just think this roster benefits more from other additions and can afford to go at least one season without adding a WR.
Here's why:
#11 is in fact WR1, despite JL never thinking that. The man gets open more often than anyone else, even when used in the slot which is tough territory. As a first read, he'll get JL out of trouble. He was hurt entering last game, and is hurt worse now.
Wicks did things in the last game that I've never seen Davante Adams do. I'm not about to say he's better or a direct replacement, but he's excellent.
Doubs is undeniably an asset. Whether he's targeted before Wicks can be entirely play dependent. JL has a connection to these 3. Maintaining that can't be taken for granted, and it still needs to improve. Rotating these 3 to keep legs fresh and effectiveness at peak is one aspect of coaching. I have no comment on the current staff's ability to do this consistently.
#9 isn't in those top 3. The best ability is availability, and when he's out JL can't possibly maintain the necessary connection. A complete change of strength and conditioning staff has been needed for years. Whether that might reduce hamstring injuries on this team remains unknown, but it needs to be done regardless. Talk of getting rid of #9 is misguided. Talk of renewing his first contract is premature. I'm sure he'd like to play a full season, and I hope he'd love to train past any possibility of injury and I use Jerry Rice as the standard there. I'd love to see this whole room doing that!
#86 DuBose. I put him next not to suggest he should be in any order, only to point out he's an incredible talent that has gone silent on the PS. His strength seems to overlap Wicks', contested catches. Their 40 times are identical, height / weight similar. If their route running is also similar, it might make sense to use DuBose as a direct substitute for Wicks, God forbid he goes down due to injury.
#18 Heath has already emerged as a football player, which I think is a much more appropriate term than "goon." His completion % would increase if he was targeted more. He's our slowest WR. With talk of somebody in the Deebo Samuel role, he should not be overlooked.
#83 Simore Toure has become almost chopped liver. What are his total targets? Again, his completion % would only improve if targeted more. That he hasn't been needed speaks to the depth of this room, very loudly.
#80 Bo Melton. I put him last only because some here diss him. He should be used as a direct substitute for #9 when he's out, IMHO. Even without ever being targeted, the MVS role stresses the opposing defense. If they don't send anyone to cover him, one deep completion is enough to change that in a hurry.
I'm not asserting these 8 are the envy of the league. I think it's clearly a strength of this team, but cannot be assessed separately from JL10 OR from his other targets, and RBs and TEs are part of his receiver core. After the draft we knew that RB might be completely different next year. #28 has been a very dependable and productive receiver! Clearly not a RB1. Our 2 rookie TEs both at 100% and used on the field together would almost be completely new. Their roles are different enough that should be very complementary, and even without acquiring a star RB this whole offense might really hum! Provided the O line woes are SOLVED, however that might happen.
T7Steve
December 21, 2023 at 02:25 pm
"Provided the O line woes are SOLVED, however that might happen."
The worst thing is, I can't tell that the coaches even acknowledge there's a problem!
They can't consistently run the ball and don't seem to care. "Oh! I should look into that" "we have to try that more" or some such response from MLF.
Think how that would help the passing game!
DoubleJ
December 21, 2023 at 08:34 pm
Watson is the #1. Has his availability been lacking this year, yes. However, that has happened to other receivers in the league too. Overall Watson is invaluable to making the O function. When he is on the field, coverages are shifted to his side just because he can take a simple slant to the house.
dblbogey
December 21, 2023 at 02:09 pm
I'd be fine with adding a receiver if it's best player available, but Marvin Harrison will be gone by the 3rd pick.
jont
December 21, 2023 at 03:45 pm
"The problem is that we're still lacking a true #1."
Absolutely right, Splitpea.
#1 WR does not mean the best on the team or the one with the numbers, it means the guy an opposing defense plans for during the week. They roll coverage his way, set a safety over the top, and double him. Honestly the Packers don't have that guy. When healthy, Watson will get a look from a safety who suspects a long ball, but he doesn't truly threaten a defense in any other way.
#1 WR means Devante Adam, Justin Jefferson, J'marr Chase, and those guys.
Imagine Love's performance if he a guy like that as a target.
DoubleJ
December 21, 2023 at 08:36 pm
"#1 WR does not mean the best on the team or the one with the numbers, it means the guy an opposing defense plans for during the week. They roll coverage his way, set a safety over the top, and double him."
That is exactly what teams do to Watson. He gets open against double coverage and was just hitting his stride before the 2nd hamstring injury. Basically he is a #1 WR according to your definition.
DoubleJ
December 21, 2023 at 08:31 pm
"Note the success that Addison and Zay Flowers are having in their rookie seasons."
The NFL is littered with players who do well in one season and then flame out. Addison and Flowers are also more likely to have a short shelf life due to their size. Granted Watson hasn't been the mark of healthy but his injuries have tended to be because he is so twitchy at his height (hamstring issues).
harleycops
December 21, 2023 at 11:33 am
Indeed, the WR corps will grow more next year and that will be exciting. But then there's Watson. That guy needs a hammy transplant in the off season. He is like a pretzel - great tasting, salty, great with beer, and brittle. It's that brittle part that's the problem. What might we have witnessed if he played 12 out of the first 14 games? We need that guy on the field, but he doesn't stay there. Guter can use the draft to bring 1 or 2 quality WRs to fill the all-too-numerous gaps.
TKWorldWide
December 21, 2023 at 01:44 pm
I think 9 is on board with any kind of hammy solution. He recently said he’s spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to solve the problem. But like many, I agree that his very presence on the field represents a threat the D has to account for.
Qoojo
December 21, 2023 at 11:45 am
I think the production is due to forced usage and the player learning. This would not happen in any other season because the young players simply would not be used as much. Reed definitely has a promising future. Hopefully, Watson can get the hamstring sorted out for next year.
EnemyTerritory
December 21, 2023 at 11:52 am
I think the team still needs a veteran stud WR. With the cap situation and other pressing needs this won’t come to 1265 until 2025. Look for more fourth to seventh round WR draft picks in the interim.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 21, 2023 at 12:57 pm
Those picks are needed more elsewhere, like DB and LB. Maybe RB. And that assumes OL is addressed with higher picks.
TKWorldWide
December 21, 2023 at 01:47 pm
I think historically teams have to take tackles in the early rounds and can find good IOL prospects later. But if the next Quenton Nelson is out there, grab him ASAP.
And RB’s are such a wild card: Aaron Jones in the 5th.
Even the exemplary Chiefs picked Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the 1st and Isaiah Pacheco in the 7th. Which one would you rather have?
DoubleJ
December 21, 2023 at 08:40 pm
Would your rather have Nelson as a top 5 pick or Josh Sitton as the last pick in R4? I'd take Sitton and use my top 5 on a premium position, note IOL is not a premium position. Now is Nelson better than Sitton was, most likely. However, wasthe difference worthy of a top 5 pick, no.
TKWorldWide
December 22, 2023 at 08:45 am
Definitely Sitton in the 4th. But what if the 4th only offers Newmans? Can’t assume there’s always a Sitton or a TJ Lang available.
I’m still adjusting to the whole BPA vs. need thing. Years ago, the Vikes had Chester Taylor go over 1,000 and still took Adrian Peterson in the 1st. If a guy is generational, you’ve got to at least consider him.
Problem is, sometimes the guy we (they) THINK is generational or BPA turns out to be a bust. Happens a lot, if you ask me. But that’s what makes the whole thing intriguing.
HawkPacker
December 21, 2023 at 12:12 pm
I agree with much of what you say Gil.
We have a lot of very good WR's and I like Heath as well. The offense is truly better with Watson in the line up and the last game he played in he changed a bit to go up and after some of those long passes rather than just waiting for them. That is definite improvement.
With his injury history, can we expect him on the field a lot more? History says no and that is why I believe we need to go after someone like Watson in this draft and I believe in the first three rounds. It would depend on how the draft unravels.
I was led to believe that Melton was as fast or even faster than Watson so why didn't we use him the last few games like we would use Watson? Apparently, the coaches do not think he is that fast and that would not work. Who knows.
Like I mentioned, I really do like our WR's and TE's as well but I would like us to draft one early round WR this year.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 21, 2023 at 01:00 pm
Melton absolutely should be used as a substitute for #9 when he's out. He's faster than #9. The MVS role stresses an opposing defense even if never targeted.
That MLF failed to do this says NOTHING about Melton's ability, just another boneheaded coaching mistake to add to an already very long list.
Early round draft picks can all be used shoring up OL, DB, and LB, while still not being sure those positions don't still have weaknesses. These are all a greater weakness than WR.
ricky
December 21, 2023 at 12:48 pm
Let's not forget that a lot of people were declaring Davante Adams a bust, and demanding he be cut after a sub-par second year. Even though he was playing through injuries all year. We always need to remember that different players develop differently. For every Justin Jefferson, there are many more players like Adams. This doesn't mean endless patience, though. Just give the guy enough time to see if he develops, and can remain healthy. I'm looking at you, Christian Watson.
SicSemperTyrannis
December 21, 2023 at 01:18 pm
Right. Although is there any advantage to cutting him before his contract expires, no matter how limited his availability? Until it's time to re-sign him, as long as he's able to play at his recent level at all, I don't see that there's any decision to be made.
crayzpackfan
December 21, 2023 at 01:23 pm
Hard to develop when you can't play OR practice. Not to mention he is a very raw talent to begin with.
TKWorldWide
December 21, 2023 at 01:51 pm
Heck, if the fans had their way, very few players or coaches would survive more than a couple years.
Not US here at CHTV, of course, as our wisdom, patience, and perspective are the envy of the entire league! 😉
Since'75
December 21, 2023 at 02:53 pm
So is the kool aid you drink.
Sorry 😉😜
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Are we comparing Watson to Adams?
Could this be anymore apples to oranges?
WOW....
Adams had serious route running skills and Rodgers and the coaches knew that, that is why, in spite of the drops, they stuck with him, and they were right.
Watson has almost none of Adams route running skills or footwork.
Watson is FAST, Adams was not, comparatively.
You want to compare someone?
How about Watson to MVS
Both fast, both not very good route runners.
Both there, to stress the defense.
The big difference between the two is MVS won the lottery (so far), thanks to Tyreek Hill's departure.
Also MVS was a 5th round pick and didn't miss a game his first 3 seasons.
Credit to Gute for not keeping MVS around and overpaying him
I'll get into the Bo Melton thing later, that someone brought up earlier, as soon as i'm done laughing about it.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
December 21, 2023 at 01:22 pm
The Packer WR & TE position combination is set-up to be possibly the best I have ever seen since being a Packer fan.
I was hopeful of the Packers drafting Wicks and when they did it was in the 5th round and I was shocked they were able to get him so low in the draft. Total steal is what I said, as I believed he was a late 1st round to 2nd round quality draft selection. He has only played on a limited basis % wise this year but his talent level is obvious. I like Doubs a lot but I can see a real battle evolving between Doubs and Wicks next year for the starting WR position. This is a good spot to be in for the Packers!
Reed is a stud and Packer fans have to be excited about him. The Packers have missed having a slot WR like him for many a year! It was overdue and I am so grateful for what he brings to the table.
What can one say about Watson? The talent is off the chart if he can stay healthy. Hopefully, he hires a trainer off-season who works with him on his stretches & strength training to minimize his re-occurring hamstring injuries. I recall Matthews having a similar problem early in his career and then he seemed to figure out a way to eliminate the injuries. Watson might do well to communicate with Matthews about what he did. Watson is a game changer for sure if used properly!
DuBose, not enough known about him just yet but he does bring some intrigue and with a whole training camp next year, he just may hopefully impress. Heath is a keeper who I like! Some of those tough contested catches show he belongs. I believe Toure is a good WR but he just lacks opportunity similar to Bo Melton. The Packers do not need another WR as they have 6 to possibly 7 very good WR's. These guys will continue to improve so by adding another top WR next year all it is going to do is bump one of these guys off the roster.
With the TE's the Packers are looking stronger than any time I can recall in the past 20+ years. Musgrave is so green and inexperienced that he is only going to grow into his body. Talent galore but you can just tell he will be adding a lot of muscle and size in the next few years. Some refining of his route running and catching over the shoulder will come with more playing experience. Tucker Kraft is going to be a hell of a good player and a fan favorite. Sims looks like a keeper as well!
Very excited about this collection of WR's and TE's to go along with Jordan Love. Improving the Offensive Line and Running Backs are going to be the keys for next season on offense. I'd like to see two OL taken high in the Packer's first 5 selections (top 100 picks). What do the Packers have talent-wise with Wallace, Nijman, Rhyan, Caleb Jones, and Luke Tenuta? There seems to be definite starting talent with a couple of these guys. The Packers are pretty set with these three...Jenkins, Tom, and Myers. The Packers should get rid of Bachtiari, Newman & Runyan (unless he can be signed cheaply enough). I also believe it is time to clean house with Aaron Jones and Dillon.
The Packers offensively are looking fantastic long-term needing a 1st round OL and a couple of RB's. The defense is a whole different story requiring a lot of talent upgrades.
crayzpackfan
December 21, 2023 at 01:28 pm
Knock- I agree with everything you posted except for Myers.
dblbogey
December 21, 2023 at 02:13 pm
Beat me to it. We have to upgrade from Myers and Runyan.
TKWorldWide
December 21, 2023 at 01:52 pm
I’d never oppose adding big-time weaponry, but then the issue of forcing it to ‘player X’ when someone else is wide open rears its ugly helmet.
CheesedDeadHead
December 21, 2023 at 02:53 pm
A much better OL will make all of the WR and TE look better. I think there's enough talent now that Gute and the Packers should look to use their bonanza of early picks on the OL, followed by RB/ILB/S/CB in no specific order. It would be great to get a stud LT and a C from this draft, plus at least 1 iOL, It's hard to see where the defense needs assets as Barry has misused everyone and anyone so Vallentine and Ballentine might be better than we've seen. Jaire might be back next year and if Stokes is allowed to play to his strengths they might be fine drafting some later prospects and I am still a big fan of AJJ. They do need to address the visible decline of Campbell, but oustide of him, I don't see obvious talent declines, just scheme issues. Another DL is always good.
barutanseijin
December 21, 2023 at 03:24 pm
On the last Tampa Bay TD, Stokes jogged over to the play until he noticed his teammates had missed the tackle . Then he turned on the speed, but by then it was too late. Poor effort on top of everything else. The other great CB talent goes missing for long stretches. They’re going to need DBs.
CheesedDeadHead
December 21, 2023 at 04:20 pm
Stokes was on IR until just before the Tampa game, he was activated and with no practice was thrown into the game after almost having not played for a year. 99 times out of 100 that's more damning on the coaches than the player. Making any decisions or conclusions based on those circumstances is rash (at best). To be frank, that's a Chicago Bears fan approach to coaching/management.
Since'75
December 21, 2023 at 03:33 pm
I'm going to give out credit (later), so keep your panties on for now and don't throw any hissy fits (yet).
First, i have to get this Bo Melton thing out of the way.
Before the Tampa game, i didn't even know he was still a Packer.
It looks like a couple of you think somewhat highly of him, and it's a free Country, and so be it.
But you might be the only ones .
He was drafted by Seattle and never saw the light of day in a game being on the practice squad.
The Packers picked him up, later released him, then signed him to their practice squad.
Signed to the Packers active roster, 5 days later released, then signed to our practice squad again.
So what has he done in almost two years in the league?
2 pass attempts, 1 catch for 7 yards/
Hells Bells!!...right?
Bottom line.....What do the Seahawks, and even the Packers think about utilizing Bo Melton...on the field?
Obviously, not much.
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Here's what i think of the current receivers...
Sometimes i'm damn impressed, they call that young players making flash plays.
It's the first step to becoming a star.
None....of these receivers are stars yet.
You have to earn that, not get crowned a star in a football forum.
With that said, we've seen some rookie mistakes.
We'd like to see Doubs making a better 2nd year leap showing he could be the #1 we're looking for.
We now are looking at Reed as a possible #1, for good reason.
We have to see if they want it bad enough, i'm not seeing that from Doubs yet, though he's been scoring productive, he just isn't targeted the way we would have expected him to be.
I thought he'd have more like 120-140 pass attempts this season.
I think most of us knew Watson wasn't going to be that guy
Wicks is interesting, we'll have to see how that develops.
I'd like to see a better catch rate, less fumbles.
Love his almost 16 YPC average.
All these receivers are in a unique position of not having to wait their turn to showcase.
THEY are the offense, they get the targets, if Adams was here, these guys wouldn't be where they are at right now.
But that's great for them.
It will be fun to watch who wants to be a stud, or who ends up a dud.
But so far, they all add value sans Melton.
Mr_Bill_H
December 21, 2023 at 06:31 pm
......and Malik Heath and the Twin tower TE's the future near and over the next few years has a lot of potential.
joejetson
December 21, 2023 at 07:22 pm
The problem with evaluating the young players on this team is that the coaching is generally very poor.
Are they better than they show but aren't successful due to ineffective coaching?
Other than Joe Barry's inexcusable blunders, LeFleur's bizarre play calling, what other position coaches are screwing these guys up?
We won't know until they clean house.
LambeauPlain
December 21, 2023 at 09:05 pm
The very young receiving corps is going to grow up with Jordan. Lots of WR talent...and I am also very interested to see 12 personnel with Musgrave and Kraft. That pairing could end up scaring opposing DCs.
Now the front line needs to be fortified to give Love time to find the pass catchers. I would not be surprised to see 2 OL drafted in the first two days.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
December 28, 2023 at 08:55 pm
I agree LP with 2 OL but wouldn't it be refreshing to see Gutey once again draft a RB in round 2? Many will say that is too high & maybe it is except unless there is a tremendous talent at RB unexpectedly just sitting there that would be a tremendous asset to Love and the offense. Is there a bigger and better Jones clone? Find him!