Packers 2021 free agency: Ranking best wide receivers available
Free agency begins in just a couple of weeks. Before then, the Green Bay Packers will make moves to get under the salary cap.
We shouldn’t expect the Packers to be particularly aggressive in free agency given their lack of cap room but that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to make a signing or two.
One position they could look to strengthen is wide receiver. Let’s look at the best wide receivers that could be available when free agency gets underway.
1. Allen Robinson
OK, we can forget about this one. There’s a good chance Allen Robinson won’t even be available when the new league year begins if the Chicago Bears decide to franchise tag him.
But, for now, Robinson is scheduled to become a free agent and he’s far and away the best receiver with an expiring contract. Even if he does sign elsewhere, it’s unlikely the Packers would be able to compete with the rest of the league.
We can still imagine how great a Robinson-Davante Adams combination would be, though.
2. Chris Godwin
With 3,015 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns over the past three seasons, Chris Godwin has emerged as one of the best young wide receivers in the game.
Like Robinson, Godwin would be a home-run addition to the Packers’ offense, but it’s not going to happen. Spotrac projects Godwin will make over $17 million per year and, yeah, we can forget the Packers offering that.
3. Kenny Golladay
Could Kenny Golladay’s departure make one NFC North rival weaker while strengthening the Packers’ offense? Golladay battled injuries in 2020 but has proven he can be a No. 1 receiver with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a combined 16 touchdown catches between 2018 and ’19.
However, Golladay will be another highly-paid wide receiver and likely out of the Packers’ price range.
4. Will Fuller
After trying to trade for Will Fuller last season, it’s clear the Packers believe he can help this offense. I made a case for why Green Bay shouldn’t sign Fuller but that doesn’t mean he isn’t a talented player who would make Matt LaFleur’s offense better.
ESPN’s Rob Demovsky said that Fuller is a player to “keep an eye on” for the Packers.
If Green Bay makes one big free agency signing, perhaps it will be Fuller.
5. JuJu Smith-Schuster
Imagine Davante Adams on the outside with JuJu Smith-Schuster in the slot.
Smith-Schuster has been outstanding in the slot in recent years. According to Pro Football Focus, he caught 81 passes and had nine touchdowns from the slot this past season, most in the NFL.
The Pro Bowler is still only 24 years old with his best football ahead of him. If the Packers want to add a difference-maker at wide receiver in free agency, signing Smith-Schuster would be a great move while also showing that they are ready to go all-in.