Packers: An early look at the 2018 NFL Draft class

Wide receiver

1. Calvin Ridley, Alabama (6-1, 190)

2. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M (5-11, 200)

3. Deon Cain, Clemson (6-1, 190)

4. Courtland Sutton, SMU (6-4, 216)

5. James Washington, Oklahoma State (6-0, 205)

Other Notable WRs: Deontay Burnett (USC), Simmie Cobbs Jr. (Indiana), David Sills V (West Virginia), Dante Pettis (Washington), Equanimous St. Brown (Notre Dame), Anthony Miller (Memphis), Auden Tate (Florida State)

Position outlook: As of right now, there doesn’t appear to be a “can’t miss” wide receiver prospect in the upcoming draft class.

Ridley is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, but he has not done anything to separate himself from many of the other solid receiver prospects that have come out of the Alabama system in recent years.

Kirk and Cain show some elite traits despite the lack of production this year and could emerge as the top player at the position with impressive workout numbers in the offseason.

Sutton has size, production, and ability after the catch. However, the SMU product has only recorded one reception against a ranked opponent.

Level of competition also has to be a concern when it comes to Washington, who despite at a Power-Five school has only seen his most productive games against Baylor, TCU, and Tulsa – hardly defensive stalwarts. Against stiffer competition, such as Texas or West Virginia, Washington has struggled.

Players like Cobbs, Sills, and Miller are having monster seasons and really generating buzz as prospects. Cobbs especially could crack the top-five before season’s end.

Packers need: The Packers may have no choice but to look to the draft early to bolster their receiving corps.

Davante Adams is set to become a free agent after this season, and Jordy Nelson is nearing the end of his career.

The Packers could use another receiver to feature on the boundary, specifically one with speed or size to stretch the field and be a downfield threat.