5 toughest WR matchups for Packers in 2021 season
The Green Bay Packers are lucky to have an All-Pro cornerback in Jaire Alexander.
Well, they’re going to need him this season. Alexander shut down many great wide receivers last season, but the tough challenges will keep coming in 2021 as he will go one-on-one with some of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
It was tough to rank the top five receivers on the Packers’ schedule this year as there are so many to choose from. Odell Beckham, Ja’Marr Chase, DK Metcalf, Robert Woods, and Adam Thielen are among the receivers who just missed out.
5. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
When we look back at these rankings after the 2021 season, Justin Jefferson could be much closer to the top. After an excellent rookie year, don’t be surprised if Jefferson shows why he’s one of the league’s best this season.
Jefferson was dominant last year with 1,400 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and he’s only going to get better.
The Packers’ defense will have a tough challenge covering both Jefferson and Thielen.
4. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Will Allen Robinson finally have a good quarterback to throw him the football in 2021? The Chicago Bears certainly hope Justin Fields is a future star at QB.
Robinson has delivered throughout his career with three 1,000-yard seasons, including the past two years. He’s a former Pro Bowler and, still only 27 years old, is easily one of the best receivers in football.
3. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
The 2020 season was a difficult one for Michael Thomas as he missed a lot of time with injury and missed another game for a “team disciplinary issue”.
Because of that, it’s easy to forget just how good he is. Only two years ago Thomas set an NFL record for receptions in a single season with 149, finishing with 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns.
He was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 and is a two-time first-team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler. Expect a bounce-back season from Thomas.
2. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
At his best, there’s nothing any defense can do to stop Tyreek Hill, a three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler. He’s put up over 1,000 yards in three of the past four seasons and has 41 touchdown catches in that time.
Hill is the best deep threat in the league. Just ask the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Against the Bucs last season, Hill had 203 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.
1. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
I think Davante Adams is the best wide receiver in the NFL but you can also make a strong case for DeAndre Hopkins being top of that list.
No matter how talented a cornerback is, it’s close to impossible to stop Hopkins, who has been named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler five times. Hopkins didn’t take long to adjust to his new team, catching 115 passes for 1,407 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Hopkins has put up over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons and six of the past seven.