Romeo Doubs’ Hot Start Should Be No Surprise
Romeo Doubs' early success during training camp should not come as a surprise.
By markoldacres
Romeo Doubs has been turning heads early in training camp, quickly earning reps with the first team offense after putting together a string of strong practices.
It may be unusual for a fourth-round rookie to look at home alongside his NFL peers so soon, but this is no fluke, Doubs has simply continued to do what he did in college.
Doubs’ Nevada tape showed him to be a legitimate deep threat, and this has so far carried over to the NFL level, with the receiver making several ‘wow’ plays already.
His ability to make difficult grabs look easy has also shown up in training camp; on Thursday the rookie plucked an Aaron Rodgers pass for a touchdown despite having Eric Stokes in tight coverage.
Speaking of touchdowns, Doubs’ knack for finding the end zone was evident in college, when he scored 20 TDs across the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined. Based on reports from media members on the ground, Doubs has excelled during red zone periods early on in training camp.
Doubs’ calm and even-keeled demeanor during media duties after a terrific Thursday practice was impressive and encouraging. This isn’t a player who seems like he will struggle with the mental ups and downs of NFL life.
Of course, it’s still early, and the pads haven’t been put on yet, but Doubs has so far done everything he can to make a name for himself.
There will be more development needed if Doubs is to see significant playing time as a rookie. His ability to block was not a particular strength at Nevada, and is a prerequisite to get on the field in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
But his 6’2, 200 lb. frame should help him as a blocker if he has the desire to improve, and there have already been reports of Doubs making blocks during run plays in practice.
The Packers got value when they took Doubs in the fourth round. He could easily have been a day two pick, and it can be argued his college tape was better than Green Bay’s second-round receiver, Christian Watson. On that basis, his early success should not be a shock.
While the mass NFL media continues to scoff at the Packers for the team’s refusal to take a wide receiver in the first round, Green Bay’s front office just keeps doing what they do, finding talent during all three days of the draft. The Packers look to have found something once again in Doubs.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (53)
Lphill
July 31, 2022 at 12:29 pm
I like the 87 although he’s taller and heavier than Brooks , he’s bigger than Jennings too but he reminds me a little of Jennings with his route running and the way he secures the football .
LLCHESTY
July 31, 2022 at 01:19 pm
I was on his bandwagon before camp began but I'm still a little surprised he's doing so well this early. The Packers are doing everything they can to get him ready, he took snaps with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams yesterday and was the 1st guy to catch punts during STs drills. Just as importantly he's impressed the QB:
https://twitter.com/zachkruse2/status/1553452646627155968?t=7edOEcZ06dnE...
The signs were there if you watched his footwork and cuts in college and then heard the story about him calling the coach to ask a question about the playbook at 11 o'clock at night. The young man did everything he could to be ready to contribute this year and you have to applaud him for that.
Coldworld
July 31, 2022 at 02:00 pm
I agree wholeheartedly that the signs were there. I was thrilled when he fell. His injury and then (I believe) unrepresentatively slow 40 time coming off seemed to prevent him attracting hype that went to others.
That said, belief that he might bridge the gap well and earlier than the norm didn’t mean I expected it to occur immediately and seamlessly. However, we are not yet in the contact phase and a good week does not make a camp. There may be bumps in the road and others may make strides, but I think Doubs is going to help us much more than a majority of WRs taken earlier will help their teams this year and beyond.
LLCHESTY
July 31, 2022 at 03:23 pm
I think what Rodgers said about him is almost as important as what he's done so far. If Rodgers has trust in him it's going to be hard to keep him off the field. It sounded like the 2nd day he tested Doubs' a bit, throwing to him when he looked covered and throwing a couple hard ones at him. I doubt they play the veteran WRs much in the first game so we should get some solid looks at Winfree, Amari and the rookies.
Bure9620
July 31, 2022 at 03:03 pm
Without question. He is advanced as far as the focus and mastery of the nuances of the position. There is no question had Doubs played for a power 5 school he would have been drafted higher. The Mountain west guys have little exposure as their games are late and obviously do not have the TV contracts the power 5 teams have. I was impressed with his film.
On the same note this is why I am not buying Amari Rodgers at all. You would think being the son of Tee Martin he would have a huge advantage as far as having the nuances of the WR position mastered and a smaller learning curve. Most WRs don't have the advantage of a father whom is an NFL WR coach.......
Coldworld
July 31, 2022 at 04:07 pm
Interesting point. Here’s my one caveat to it. According to Pro Football Focus, in his last year, Rodgers ranked second among receivers with 30 receptions on screens, third with 237 yards on screens, tied for 22nd with 8.0 YAC per catch and tied for seventh with 17 forced missed tackles. Sports Info Solutions had him fifth in the draft class in YAC per reception.
Yet when have we used him like that. Part of me wonders why we seem to be trying to turn him into something else before trying him as what we drafted him for. Just odd and certainly not successful thus far, whatever the cause. He’s a slot and we drafted him based on that: use him as one. We haven’t, in fact we’ve tried to do mostly anything but.
Bure9620
July 31, 2022 at 08:24 pm
True, but even as a "slot" guy, you have do more than catch bubble screens. Most of the WR screens this year will likely go Aaron Jones. Lazard played in the slot a lot but he can really play anywhere.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 12:21 am
IIRC they have about 300 slot snaps to replace between Adams, MVS and the new pride of the Bears ESB.
Coldworld
August 01, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Doubs has played in the slot. Lazard too. So does Watkins. Will we want them to play there and how much? For that matter so have Toure, Taylor and Winfree. You’re has already shown up there in practices on routine slot conversions. We aren’t short of slot capable (or others who play in the slot for certain types of play, such as Lazard) this year. That’s without considering Cobb and even Watson or Jones.
Slot snaps aren’t the problem to replace for me with this group. The problem is a genuine perimeter threat on both sides and deep threats. That’s not particularly likely to come from Rodgers in my opinion. So where does he fit? Watson likely gets some schemed plays and Jones. It’s all getting rather crowded.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 12:46 pm
I read last week that Jones played more outside as a receiver than in the slot. I thought that was kind of weird. I agree though, Watson or Doubs need to come through as a deep threat.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 12:02 am
I'm not sure how much scouts care about TV exposure, they're more concerned with game tape. I think it has more to do with missing the testing. I do agree if he was in a bigger conference and put up the numbers he did the testing wouldn't have mattered as much. He did have some of his best games against bigger schools. Roasted Tennessee if I remember right.
Leatherhead
July 31, 2022 at 08:47 pm
double'
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Leatherhead
July 31, 2022 at 08:46 pm
LL picked out quite a few good prospects leading up to the draft. Greengold, too.
I don't know the guy. But I figured when practice started, it would be be Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, Rodgers, Watson and then Doubs. Therefore, the guys ahead of him would either have to play poorly or be unavailable for Doubs to move up. You think he'll be our #3 WR by the end of the year and that's certainly possible. I don't think it's likely.
But Watson is unavailable, and this is going to slow his development, so I'd go ahead and move Doubs up to #5 right now. He's one injury away from being our #4 guy, and that'll get him on the field.
As I pointed out earlier, if he averages 3 catches per game......50 catches on the season....it'll be one of the best rookie seasons ever for a WR.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 01:19 am
Amari Rodgers is certainly not ahead of Doubs right now. Not Juwan Winfree either. Amari Rodgers has done nothing but muff punts last year.
Leatherhead
August 01, 2022 at 07:12 am
He didn’t have a turnover. When Hill got injured, he became our kick returner.
It’s fascinating to me that a guy catches a few passes in shorts and he vaults ahead of people who’ve been on the job for a year. That’s not how I’d run a business..
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 08:22 am
I did not vault Doubs ahead, the coaching staff did. This is evident by the rep distribution. If Doubs is still running with the one's this week in pads and Rodgers is not, that is quite telling of where they believe these 2 players stand. Quay Walker has taken reps exclusively with the first team as well, Kris Barnes has not. Barnes has significantly more game experience than Quay Walker, but it is clear where these guys stand.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 08:58 am
Don't forget about the QB. Rodgers on the NFL Network:
"Romeo Doubs has had a really nice start to the camp," Rodgers said. "He's been getting a lot of attention based on some of the plays that he's made. I like the approach. Very understated kid, very humble kid from kind of inner city L.A., made his way to Nevada.
"I was sitting with him at lunch the other day and really just marveling. It's surprising how many teams passed on him. Whatever reason it was, we all feel really good about Romeo and the start he's gotten off to."
Leatherhead
August 01, 2022 at 10:03 am
The rep distribution the first day of training camp, in shorts, is the evidence that the coaching staff has moved Doubs' ahead of Rodgers, even before the first depth chart has been released?
It doesn't surprise me that the coaches would rather look at new guys....like Doubs and Walker.....than the guys we have already on the first couple of days in shorts. I propose we pump the brakes a little until we've actually had the padded contact practices, and maybe actually seen him catching passes against opponents who are trying their hardest to prevent it.
I think that vets like Lazard and Watkins and Cobb aren't going to be on the field a lot this preseason, especially against SF. We'll see an abundance of Doubs and some of the others. Not Watson, apparently, but Rodgers and Winfree and Taylor. I'm sure the coaches are going to give him an opportunity to show something .
In theory, you'd want to line up your starters for the first possession. IMO, that's going to be Watkins and Lazard if they're available. When we go with the 3 WR lineup, it'll probably be Cobb and/or Amari the first couple of times. Then they'll sit down and we'll get to see the other guys.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 08:13 pm
I agree Watkins and Lazard are clearly going to be the guys in base 12 Personnel packages. Many times if they are in 21 personnel, your "slot" or 3rd receiver will be Aaron Jones. I think Jones motions out alot this year with both he and Dillon on the field together. Cobb gets in for 11 perssonel but I fail to see Amari Rodgers getting much if at all.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 08:22 am
I did not vault Doubs ahead, the coaching staff did. This is evident by the rep distribution. If Doubs is still running with the one's this week in pads and Rodgers is not, that is quite telling of where they believe these 2 players stand. Quay Walker has taken reps exclusively with the first team as well, Kris Barnes has not. Barnes has significantly more game experience than Quay Walker, but it is clear where these guys stand.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 08:47 am
I also disagree Amari Rodgers did not have a turnover. Jordan Love's pick against Detroit hit Amari Rodgers in the hands and bounced to the defender when he whiffed on it. This is obviously not on the stat sheet against Rodgers but that one was on him.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 09:06 am
Sounds like you'd be in the business of losing. LaFluer said he did well in the offseason workouts. He didn't just "vault" over other players in the last week, he's getting opportunities because he impressed them(and Rodgers) with his knowledge of the playbook. From watching tape of him I'd say his footwork and cuts too.
dobber
August 01, 2022 at 09:17 am
He's been given the chance and he's showing that--so far--the game's not too big for him. No idea how this changes as Watson comes back and pads go on, but he's catching peoples' attention.
Leatherhead
August 01, 2022 at 10:17 am
LL, I'm not disparaging Doubs' ability, or your acumen seeing talent in players. I appreciated the work you did bringing guys to my attention leading up to the draft.
I'm glad LaFleur said nice things. I'm glad he's learned the playbook. I'm glad he's on the team.
Doubs is a clear example of the outstanding personnel department the Packers have, particularly the college scouting department, and of course, the GM. Of course, these are the same guys who drafted Amari Rodgers the year before.
I guarantee you that the Packers start camp with Lazard, Watkins, Cobb, and Amari Rodgers ahead of any and all rookies. Doubs is the head rookie right now because Watson is out and he's making the most of his opportunities and impressing people.
In shorts.
Now, if Doubs continues to impress, and Amari plays poorly, and Watkins or Cobb is unavailable, then he'll move up. But if they're all available , they're ahead of the rooks until they aren't.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 10:27 am
Cobb and Rodgers play essentially the same position. I really doubt this is the case.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 12:52 pm
Unless Watkins found the fountain of youth a starting threesome of Watkins, Lazard and Cobb seems awful slow to me. It doesn't bode well for the run game or the offense in general if the safeties have no fear from a deep threat, look at the 49er game.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 01:03 pm
I'm not sure what you're saying here. They have already started camp and Doubs is getting 1st team snaps and it sounds like Rodgers is most playing with Love. Why would they play Doubs on all 3 teams in practice last week if they weren't getting him ready to play a lot this year?
I know you don't care about explosive plays but you should probably reconsider caring about deep threats being on the field.
Leatherhead
August 01, 2022 at 10:21 am
I'm a vet, and a HS teacher/coach in Texas, who consistently coached competitive teams in football, basketball, and even tennis. Both of my children received Congressional appointments to the Air Force Academy. I'd ask you to reconsider that "business of losing" stuff.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 01:06 pm
I'm saying this context. If you're a football coach and you've been in practice for a week and one guy is clearly outperforming others you're not going to move him up because he's a rookie or a day 3 pick? I find that deeply flawed.
Leatherhead
August 01, 2022 at 03:47 pm
A couple of days in shorts wouldn’t drive me to make changes.
“Clearly outperforming”. Seriously?
PatB
August 02, 2022 at 08:16 pm
You're assuming that Rodgers was ahead of Doubs (and Winfree, Watson, Toure, and Davis) in the first place. Yes, he's been in Green Bay for a year, but consuming a roster spot for a season does not earn anybody any particular spot on the depth chart.
Coldworld
August 01, 2022 at 12:43 pm
You are right about caution in shorts but not entirely. The ability to separate and route fitness and hands can tell a lot for a receiver that bodes well when physicality starts. The thing with Rodgers is he’s not shown up making splash plays in shorts at all despite being a second year guy. At some point he has to show upside and how he fits on the roster. There is genuine competition here.
Absent injuries, it’s hard to see him as the number one option at any WR position. In which role is he number 2? Maybe in the slot, but there are real questions whether there is a need to carry 2 dedicated slot types, given that, in addition to Cobb, all other candidates have significant slot experience in college at least. It’s not a given that he’s number 2 there anyway. Certainly he’s going to have to prove it during camp.
He’s also not a given as a returner and is he the one we want as the 4th or 5th active receiver on a game day if he’s not? I suggest others are more capable of playing multiple roles, including Doubs and Winfree. I liked the idea of Rodgers when he was drafted. I thought he had a huge learning curve. The problem now is I think he still does have a bigger one than Doubs, Winfree and Toure at least and he has not flashed potential to offset that. He has to soon.
GatorJason
July 31, 2022 at 01:38 pm
Post Davante Adams Season
Looks like MVP V for Aaron Rodgers
PLAYER……..CATCHES….YARDS...TD
A. Lazard………….60…..….800…..….7
A. Jones……………48……….475……..5
S. Watkins…….….42……….550….....5
R. Doubs……….….40……….575….....5
R. Cobb…………….35……….425……..4
AJ Dillon…….……..35…….…300……..1
R. Tonyan………...25……....270……..3
J. Deguara………..23………..230……..3
C. Watson………..27…….….375..…...2
A. Rodgers……....15…….….140……..1
T. Davis.……………15…….….175.……1
Rest of Guys…….15………..120……..1
……………………....367,,…..4,320……38
POSITION...CATCHES….YARDS....TD
WR………………142…….….1970…….16
RB……….………..87….………815……….7
Slot..……………..75………….900….……8
TE...……………….63………….635..…….7
Total..............367.…...….4,320……..38
Hopefully diversity will make Packers
more successful in playoffs. GPG
PatrickGB
July 31, 2022 at 01:58 pm
I like that chart!
PatrickGB
July 31, 2022 at 01:56 pm
“ The Packers got value when they took Doubs in the fourth round” It sure seems so. Yet I remember lots of praise for other wideouts in TC in past years. When Cowherd starts to praise him, then I will be convinced! 😉
stockholder
August 01, 2022 at 06:30 am
Two guys come to my mind. Do you remember? = Geronimo Allison. and Jake "TD Jesus" Kumerow. The "camp sensation" is a Label.
Devante Adams took more than a camp. He took years. And so did Jordy Nelson. I suggest some Caution with Doubs. Don't compare him to anyone. If he's that good and fast. He'll be a packer a long time.
Guam
August 01, 2022 at 07:58 am
Don't often agree with you stockholder, but you have this one right. Until Doubs has success in pads and in several games, I would pump the brakes on expectations for him. He has had a good start to his time with the Packers, but the season is still very, very young.
dobber
August 01, 2022 at 09:18 am
Jared Abbrederis.
mattgsx
August 01, 2022 at 10:09 am
Have to agree here. The kid is having a great camp so far and that makes me optimistic, but he needs to start stacking success and then show he can do the same thing in shells, in preseason games, etc. before he will get his number called on game day.
He definitely has potential and he is benefitting from no Watson/Watkins with extra snaps, which he is making the most of.
rstain99
August 01, 2022 at 08:20 am
They are still in shorts as earlier poster said, like Parcels always says give him time before we start carving the bust for Canton. The receiving core as of now is suspect until they prove they are not. Think the defense could be special and hope the special teams become at least average. If AR (Nick Cage look) btw is terrible on you can produce another terrific year maybe hope at the end we will all be happy pack fans.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 08:53 am
I don't think anyone is crowning Doubs offensive rookie of the year but, his start and where he plays in camp indicates where he stands with the coaching staff. Doubs is likely slated receiver #4 currently. I don't think that is crazy as he continues to earn more reps with the one's. This is always fluid during camp and through the season as a player continues to make plays, they get more reps and more opportunities. If they don't, they don't. I have not heard Amari Rodgers running with the first team at all yet. Likely, because he is not on it.
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou
August 01, 2022 at 08:52 am
Several posters have stated since the draft Doubs would be more successful their rookie year than Watson (kudos). At this point in time they appear to have hit it squarely on the mark. However, I would bet the justification for those statements was most likely based on Watson playing on an offensive that was more run orientated than pass combined with playing against weaker competition rather than the fact Doubs was so talented.
Looking forward to seeing both of these WR's play and grow complimenting each other. Young players like Doubs, Watson, Amari, (many young OL), and Jordan Love hopefully become an offensive force to be reckoned with for many years to come. Gutey seems to have assembled a talented team not just for the short term, but also long term. Wonderful time to be a Packer team!
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 09:20 am
One of the writers tweeted after a practice that he got snaps with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams. He's definitely caught passes from Etling, Love and Rodgers. I'd say they're trying to fast track his comfort level in the offense. They were also missing some guys and the two recent signings we're green so I'm sure that had something to do with it too.
dobber
August 01, 2022 at 09:30 am
The Packers are unlikely to suddenly start running the ball on 50+% of their snaps: they haven't topped 45% since Ahman Green was running the ball, and ARod certainly has a reputation for liking to call his own number. The opportunity is there for a dark-horse guy to play a big role catching the ball in GB--maybe Cobb or Watson or Doubs...or even Deguara. My bet is on Aaron Jones being that guy if he stays healthy.
Vforrest
August 01, 2022 at 08:43 am
So why did he drop into the 4th round, he sounds to good to be true? 4.72 40 time? Sounds like he’s plenty fast enough to be productive.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 08:57 am
I would not get too caught up in 40 times. It was a pro day. Could have had a slight injury which totally throws off the 40. Some guys suck at the 40 with a bad start on all 4s. He was running by guys on film. He has the play speed.
mattgsx
August 01, 2022 at 09:29 am
I think there were some concerns about his footwork and route tree.
Receiver and RB are also usually very deep, so it's not unusual to get solid players at these positions deeper in the draft.
Jgilmor08
August 01, 2022 at 12:32 pm
A 4.72 is actually quite slow especially for a 210 lb wideout. For context the fastest 40 time for an offensive linemen this year was a 4.88 but at roughly 100+ lbs heavier. The teams first round draft pick as an interior defensive linemen ran a 4.77, while weighing 75 lbs more. Additionally there were 30 linebacker prospects and Defensive ends who ran a faster time than 4.72.
So this was more than likely the specific reason he fell. That and his ‘small school’ competition. However if his three standout helmets only practices are a preview of what’s to come then it simply underlines exactly why a 40 yard dash is pretty useless in the talent evaluation process. That’s why year after year there’s a low drafted player who becomes a ‘steal’ even though his film, accolades and statistics obviously suggest otherwise.
LLCHESTY
August 01, 2022 at 12:57 pm
He didn't run a 4.72, he ran a 4.52 and he was coming off an injury. He didn't train for it and said he only ran it to show he was healthy enough to run it.
If you watch any of him on YouTube you can tell he's a 4.4 guy. Gutey said the same thing.
Bure9620
August 01, 2022 at 07:43 pm
Yes, the 40 is so overhyped. The strait away speed is intetesting but running out of blocks in your underwear just does not evaluate play speed. This isn't track and field. John Eric Sullivan made a comment I agree with "The 40 is a way for us to to confirm the play speed we see on tape" It is essentially a data point. If a guy has a shitty 40 they may look to see why as oppose to saying "this guy is slow"
LLCHESTY
August 02, 2022 at 03:09 am
Agreed. The 10 yard split is way more important to just about every position. Obviously if you have a bunch of CBs on your team running 4.6s you probably have a problem.
The RAS stuff in general is over hyped. The top WRs, for example, aren't all great RAS guys. The only thing just about all of them have in common is they tested really well in at least one thing. Kupp had very slow 40 but had a great 3-cone. Can the WR make cuts without tipping the CB to his route is huge or can he take a quick pass and make guys miss. Or like Metcalf is he so big and fast he can just out muscle a DB at the line and then immediately separate. Chase and Jefferson were both really good testers and could be super scary in a year or two if they work on their craft like Davante did.
The two main spots that great athletes do seem to matter is Edge(makes sense) and TE. Za'darius is one of the only outliers among Edge rushers. I think the TE metric is fairly recent but all the really good TEs around now had above average RAS scores.
Vforrest
August 01, 2022 at 01:57 pm
Good thoughts.
I didn’t make up the 4.72 40 time btw. Pro Football Network on 4-14-22 listed it.
croatpackfan
August 01, 2022 at 10:11 am
Let's cross our fingers Packers found new offensive star in this draft. He wear number from guy who was loved and respected among the Packers Nation. You know of whom I'm talking. And, for me it looks like he will justify the reason why he get that number.
I will be happy if he will reach 500 yards and 5-7 TDs in his first season. If he will be better - wow...