Ranking the Packers Draft Needs Post-Free Agency

Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) rushes with the football after catching a pass. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

4) WIDE RECEIVER

The Packers lost James Jones this offseason. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings the offseason before, and now, both Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson enter contract years.

It appears the youth movement at wide receiver has hit Green Bay. I would be surprised if the Packers let both Cobb and Nelson play out next year without contract extensions. Deals may even get done as soon as this spring.

Even with Cobb and Nelson’s futures secured in Green Bay, the Packers need depth at wide receiver. Jarrett Boykin made huge strides last season with key injuries to starters. Boykin’s ascension made Jones’ departure affordable.

However, with as a many multiple-wide receiver sets the Packers like to run they need to be well-stocked at the position, and after Boykin, there is a lot of uncertainty.

Myles White may pan out to be a key contributor. Chris Harper, Kevin Dorsey, and Alex Gillett all have potential and will compete for a roster spot in camp, but losing Jones is losing another player with size that can play on the outside.

Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Jordan Matthews (87). Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

DRAFT OUTLOOK

This year’s wide receiver class is one of the deepest in recent memory, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the Packers target a receiver with a combination of both size and speed in the second or third round, like Vanderbilt’s Jordan Matthews, Donte Moncrief from Ole Miss, or Indiana’s Cody Latimer.

The Packers may even wait to address receiver since it’s not a dire need and bring in a player like Brandon Coleman of Rutgers or Pitt’s Devin Street, who can be found in a later round and are players with size that excel split out wide.

If the Packers want to add another slot receiver to play behind Cobb, they may take a look at Oregon’s Josh Huff, Oklahoma’s Jalen Saunders, or Michael Campanaro out of Wake Forest.