Packers wide receiver corps not given much love from NFL Spin Zone
The Green Bay Packers have made some big improvements at wide receiver this year.
Despite having the league’s highest-scoring offense in 2020, there were some questions to be asked about the wide receiver depth behind first-team All-Pro Davante Adams, especially considering the number of drops the offense had.
The Packers responded by drafting Amari Rodgers in the third round, and also traded for Randall Cobb at the start of training camp. With Devin Funchess also returning, the Packers are in a much stronger position at wide receiver.
However, where does the Packers’ receiving corps rank in the NFL? Outside of Adams, there could still be a way to go.
Packers WR corps No. 19 in power rankings
NFL Spin Zone’s Randy Gurzi has ranked every team’s wide receiver corps ahead of the 2021 season, with Green Bay at No. 19.
There’s no doubting that the Packers don’t have as strong a WR corps as some others in the league such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans. You could argue they don’t have a true No. 2 wide receiver, which could be a problem if Davante Adams misses any time.
But a case can also be made for the opposite argument.
Funchess has been a successful No. 2 wide receiver in the past, and Allen Lazard has also been a reliable pass-catcher in recent seasons. Funchess put up 840 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017. Lazard had 13 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the opening three games last year before suffering a core-muscle injury that required surgery.
Add in Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s ability to hurt defenses deep and make game-changing plays (he led the league in yards per catch last season), along with the addition of slot receivers Rodgers and Cobb, and this looks like a well-balanced receiving corps.
The Packers have a bit of everything. They have possession receivers who are reliable and don’t often make mistakes. They have a deep threat with the speed to stretch defenses. And now they have two yards-after-catch masters who are excellent in the slot.
And to top it off, they have the best wide receiver in football in Adams, who put up an incredible 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns in under 14 games last season.
It’s certainly understandable for the Packers to not be as high as the top 10 in the rankings — there are some incredible talented WR corps in the NFL — but No. 19 might be a little harsh.