Packers: Sum of receiving corps is greater than its parts
By Dillon Graff
Green Bay Packers fans are often heard singing the praises of the wide receiver room, lauding it as one of the most talented receiving corps in all of the NFL. That particular take is one that I vehemently disagree with. That’s not to say the group isn’t solid and productive, because they most certainly are. But most talented is a take I just can’t get behind.
I’m well aware that the Packers had the top-scoring offense last season, which can be attributed to the way the players were uniquely deployed by the coaching staff. One thing to really appreciate about this coaching staff is that players aren’t asked to do things that aren’t within the realm of their skill-set. Coach LaFleur adjusts the game plan and play-calling to better fit the players he has available to him, which is why the offense remains a well-oiled machine.
The sum of the Packers pass catchers is far greater than its parts. The team has collected a solid group of players that all offer something completely different that make them valuable to this offense.
What makes this position group strong isn’t the individual talent, it’s the way the staff deploys each player to their unique strengths. Below, I’ll highlight what each player brings to the table and what makes them an asset to the offense – focusing on the players who are roster locks.
Davante Adams
Davante Adams is arguably the best receiver in the game. Adams is an absolute technician running routes that leaves even the best corners looking stupid. Having a superstar like Adams atop the depth chart makes everyone else’s job a little easier due to the attention he garners and the tough assignments he draws away from his teammates.
Week in and week out he and Aaron Rodgers play a two-man game that opposing teams know is coming and still can’t stop. He’s the best possession receiver in the NFL, and one of the best pass catchers in Packers history. What he does for this offense can’t be understated, because no matter the situation, Davante Adams is the answer.
Marquez Valdez-Scantling
MVS is an absolute burner, which is a trait no other wideout on the roster has. He can take the top off of a defense and be a home-run threat on any given play, evidenced by leading the entire NFL in yards per catch a season ago. MVS has been putting in the work to become more than a one-trick pony, and appears to have taken steps towards becoming this team’s number two wideout.
The question with MVS is always going to be his hands. He’s had some costly drops over the years and hasn’t shown much consistency as a possession receiver thus far. MVS’s role is clearly defined and provides great value in that role, anything more than that is just a plus at this point.
Allen Lazard
Allen Lazard is a wonderful piece to the equation in the receiver room, and a player who perfectly helps illustrate my point. Lazard isn’t the kind of player who could go to another team and become a 1000-yard receiver, that’s just not who he is. But he’s a tremendous asset nonetheless.
When the team decides to go 12 personnel, Lazard is going to be the team’s number two wideout. That’s because of his ability to block like a tight end. Lazard is unequivocally among the best run-blocking receivers in the NFL, and while that might not be a sexy, stat-stuffing trait, it does help this offense immensely.
He’s not someone who’s going to beat you deep with his speed, because that’s just not who he is. However, Lazard is someone who runs effective routes, has sure hands and a large frame to make contested catches. In essence, he’s a reliable possession receiver who 12 can put his trust in.
Matt LaFleur’s offense is predicated on the illusion of complexity, ball security and controlling the clock using the run game. This makes players like Lazard who can block like a tight end while keeping the defense spread out wide a luxury to a team like Green Bay. Lazard is far more valuable in Green Bay than anywhere else.
Randall Cobb
The Randall Cobb of today is a far cry from the Randall Cobb of 2014. However, he’s still got enough left in the tank to help this football team. What makes him different than the other receivers mentioned is his ability to produce from the slot. This is a specific role this team hasn’t utilized since the Matt LaFleur era began.
Cobb will provide another steady option with sure hands for Rodgers to rely on, while adding another good run blocker – something that Cobb does really well despite his size.
He’s entirely different than the other pass-catchers mentioned above in both stature and ability. Cobb is someone that Rodgers trusts and has a great connection with. That’s why it was so important to Rodgers that the team secure his services via trade. He knew this was likely to be his final season with the team and wanted another option he trusted wholeheartedly.
Amari Rodgers
The Packers moved up in Round 3 to secure the services of Clemson receiver, Amari Rodgers. Amari’s skill-set, ironically enough is actually very similar to that of a young Randall Cobb. He is a smaller, shiftier option with a suddenness and burst that should make him a contributor from day one.
Rodgers is likely to get snaps as a return specialist, slot receiver and on jet motion/gadget plays right away. Coach LaFleur appears to be enamored with Rodgers, who gives him a new toy capable of moving all over the formation.
Not to mention, Cobb has been a mentor for him over the course of his playing career. Now he has the opportunity to study under him and learn what it takes to carve out a successful career in the NFL. Amari Rodgers may not have eye-popping statistics in year one, but he’s sure to have an impact. He’ll no doubt be a fun puzzle piece for the Packers moving forward.
Conclusion
Aside of Davante Adams (who is quarterback proof), I just don’t think the receiving room has another player who would find greater success outside of Green Bay. I have the utmost respect for the way this room was constructed, but it’s important to understand what it is that helps make them great.
It’s not the individual talent, because after Adams that talent pool drops off significantly and leaves you with a room of imperfect players with limitations. What’s important is these players know who they are and focus on contributing in ways that they’re uniquely proficient.
In short, the sum of this receiving room is far greater than its individual parts. Matt LaFleur deserves some credit for putting these players in a position to succeed and getting them to play to their full potential in his system.