Packers should keep seven wide receivers on 53-man roster

Why the Green Bay Packers should consider keeping seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster.

Keeping seven wide receivers isn’t unheard of for the Green Bay Packers. In fact, they did exactly that just two years ago. But it’s not common.

Despite that, they might not have a choice when it comes to finalizing the final 53-man roster.

There are three roster locks at the position: Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison.

These three have nothing to prove. Adams is the clear number one on the depth chart and could be set for a huge season. Cobb is an experienced, proven slot receiver, and Geronimo Allison has done more than enough to start the season as the number three.

Then come the three rookies: J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown.

Moore made a slow start to preseason. Drops were a major issue. But he put that behind him in the third exhibition contest, catching four passes for a team-high 65 yards against the Oakland Raiders.

He was always likely to make the roster anyway after the Packers selected him in the fourth round. Moore did a lot well in the opening two games, he just didn’t catch the football. But he has a lot of potential, and if he can build on his performance last week, the Packers can be very excited about the rookie receiver.

Valdes-Scantling and St. Brown have both played well enough to deserve a spot on the 53-man roster. While they have both been inconsistent in preseason, that is to be expected in their first season.

Valdes-Scantling had five catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener. St. Brown caught four passes for 61 yards.

All three rookies likely will, and should, make the roster. That takes the total to six.

But we haven’t even mentioned Jake Kumerow yet. Mr. Consistent.

Kumerow has made the most of his opportunity this summer. He has earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers, and has put together two excellent preseason performances. In two games, Kumerow has made six catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns were 82 and 52 yards.

While each of the three rookie receivers have potential but have been inconsistent, Kumerow has continued to make plays whenever he’s on the field. Take away where each player was drafted and base it on performances alone, and Kumerow would be part of the 53-man roster.

He can be. All seven of these wide receivers can be.

The Packers kept seven receivers in 2016. They should do the same this year.