Why the Packers shouldn’t sign wide receiver Mohamed Sanu

The Packers shouldn’t sign free agent Mohamed Sanu.

The Green Bay Packers could do with help at wide receiver, but they shouldn’t sign Mohamed Sanu.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the New England Patriots are releasing Sanu.

Sanu has had a good career in the NFL, but with less than two weeks to go until the start of the regular season, would Sanu be an upgrade on the other receivers on the roster? I’m not so sure.

For starters, he’d need to quickly get familiar with the offense. To become a key part of the offense, Sanu would need to build a connection with Aaron Rodgers and earn his trust on the field.

Less than a year ago, the Patriots traded a second-round pick for Sanu. The fact they’re already ready to move on shows how well the trade went for them.

In New England, Sanu struggled to make an impact, catching 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in eight games, including six starts. Also including the games he played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, Sanu had 59 catches for 520 yards and two touchdowns.

While not a bad season, the question again is whether Sanu would be an upgrade on the players already on the Packers’ roster.

Allen Lazard? Lazard should enter Week 1 as the number two wide receiver. Making only three starts in the 16 games he played last season, Lazard impressed with 477 yards and three touchdowns, despite the fact he didn’t make the initial 53-man roster and was low on the depth chart when he was promoted from the practice squad.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling? Sanu is a different receiver to MVS. The Packers have high hopes for Valdes-Scantling, who is now healthy after dealing with ankle and knee injuries in the second half of 2019. If MVS can get back to his early-season form, he’ll be a key contributor on offense.

Equanimeous St. Brown? While EQ didn’t play last season, he has now had a year-and-a-half to learn the playbook and become more familiar with Matt LaFleur’s offense. He’s a player to watch this season.

Sanu is a talented wide receiver, there’s no doubt. But would he be the difference-maker the Packers would need him to be? I’m not convinced. Add in the fact the Falcons were willing to trade him away and now the Patriots are also moving on, and the Packers’ best bet is to stick with their young receiving group.