Packers 2021 roster preview: Marquez Valdes-Scantling key to offense
While inconsistent, Marquez Valdes-Scantling took a big step forward in his third season with the Green Bay Packers, making some huge plays for the team along the way.
The Packers did draft wide receiver Amari Rodgers in the third round and get Devin Funchess back, but MVS should have a similar role in 2021 and will stretch defenses vertically.
Up next in our 2021 player preview series is MVS.
2020 stats
Valdes-Scantling caught 33 passes for a career-best 690 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging a league-high 20.9 yards per reception.
2020 review
MVS still frustrated fans at times with too many drops, but there’s no doubt he improved his overall game in 2020. Valdes-Scantling is far from just a deep threat, but that’s his biggest strength.
With his speed and ability to get open deep downfield, MVS proved to be a nightmare for opposing defenses, bringing in five touchdowns of at least 40 yards in length, including one in playoffs.
Will he make the roster?
Yes. While there could be some more competition for roster spots at wide receiver with Amari Rodgers and Devin Funchess coming in, Valdes-Scantling has proven how valuable he is to Green Bay’s offense and will again be one of the team’s top receivers in 2021.
What to expect in 2021
MVS took a big step last season. He set new career-bests in receiving yards, touchdowns, yards per reception, catch percentage, and yards per target.
But there are still areas he needs to improve. For starters, he still only caught 52.4 percent of his targets. For comparison, Davante Adams caught 77.2 percent. It’s unfair to compare any receiver to Adams, but it just gives some perspective.
Not all of that is on MVS. Given how often he’s targeted deep downfield and the speed he has, it’s a harder play for a QB and WR to make. Sometimes Aaron Rodgers overthrows him slightly. But there are also still too many drops by Valdes-Scantling.
According to Pro Football Reference, MVS dropped seven passes last season. His dropped passes per target worked out at 11.1 percent, sixth-highest in the NFL.
This is an area MVS needs to improve, but if he can, he could be set for an even better season than in 2020.