Green Bay Packers 2019 roster review: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Reviewing Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s first season with the Green Bay Packers.
After releasing Jordy Nelson and missing out on Allen Robinson last offseason, Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst used three draft picks to strengthen the wide receiver position.
In the fifth round the Packers selected Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who quickly became an important part of the offense in 2018.
Let’s take a look back at his rookie season.
2018 season in review
MVS had to wait for his opportunity early in the season. The trio of Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison dominated the snaps at wide receiver in the opening few games, but after Cobb suffered an injury at Washington in Week 3, Valdes-Scantling began to see an increased role.
It all started with his breakout performance against Detroit. MVS had 11 targets, catching seven for 68 yards and a touchdown, and he was inches away from a second score.
A week later he’d hit 100 yards for the first time in his NFL career, and he did so on just three catches. MVS had two 100-yard performances in the season, his second against the Patriots.
But as the season went on, Valdes-Scantling’s production began to fall. Outside of a 75-yard performance against the Jets in Week 16, MVS had three or less catches and less than 44 yards in six of the Packers’ final seven games. He had less than 20 receiving yards in five of those games.
But it was a strong rookie year for MVS, who finished the year with 581 receiving yards and two touchdowns, which is more than Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams in their rookie seasons.
Looking ahead to 2019 season
The word that comes to mind when talking about MVS is potential. Valdes-Scantling showed in 2018 that he can make a big play at any moment, and I can’t wait to see how new head Matt LaFleur uses him in his offense.
The fifth-round pick has the size and speed to become an important part of LaFleur’s offense. The biggest key next season will be finding more consistency.
As MVS continues to get experience working with Aaron Rodgers, expect his role to increase.
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The Packers have some tough decisions to make at wide receiver this offseason, but Valdes-Scantling will be a player to watch in 2019.