Green Bay Packers: Survival plan if Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga walk
Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jeff Janis(83) celebrates a touchdown catch by jumping into the stands during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Develop the young wide receivers
This may seem an obvious one, but the Packers could already have the next star wide receiver on the roster, ready to break out next season.
Nov 16, 2013; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver
Jared Abbrederis(4) during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin won 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Packers selected Wisconsin’s Jared Abbrederis in the fifth round of last year’s draft as well as Saginaw Valley State’s Jeff Janis in the seventh round.
Abbrederis missed the entire season with a torn ACL, while Janis was rarely featured.
Abbrederis has good hands and an exceptional football IQ. His hard-working personality and knowledge of the position will help him develop his skills in the offseason when he’s fully healthy.
Janis, on the other hand, possesses great athleticism and speed.
He ran the 40-yard dash at last year’s combine in 4.42 seconds – good for fourth-best among receivers.
According to NFL.com, he posted a 6.64 time on the three-cone drill.
Janis has raw talent, but needs to work on his route running skills and consistency. That can be developed through a full offseason, and he certainly has the physical ability to be successful.
Adding Abbrederis and Janis into the mix in 2015 will be like a new draft class of receivers in itself, and they could step up into bigger roles in 2015 to fill the void that will be left should Cobb walk.
Next: What about tight end?