Packers: Will Fuller could be a solid replacement for MVS
The Green Bay Packers lost a key piece of their offense this offseason in WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The former South Florida alum signed a new three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. Green Bay will not only have to replace an All-Pro in Davante Adams, but they now must also replace one of the league’s better deep threats in Valdes-Scantling.
In this particular instance, Green Bay will need to replace speed, a large yards-per-reception output, and familiarity. Free-agent Will Fuller might be exactly what the Packers are looking for.
Just two seasons ago, Valdes-Scantling had the highest yards per catch (20.9) since DeSean Jackson in 2010. His career YPC average is 17.5. Just two seasons ago, Will Fuller set a career high in YPC at 16.6. His career average is 14.7.
In Valdes-Scantling’s four seasons, he has 123 receptions, 2,153 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns. In Fuller’s six seasons, he has 213 receptions, 3,136 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns.
Valdes-Scantling’s best season came in 2020 when he hauled in 33 passes for 690 yards and six touchdowns. Fuller’s best season also came in 2020, his final year in Houston. He caught 53 passes for 879 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing six games due to a PED suspension.
Both receivers have 4.3 speed. Out of a possible 65 career games, Valdes-Scantling has played in 59. Out of a possible 97 career games, Fuller has played in just 55. Keep in mind, although Fuller has played six seasons compared to Valdes-Scantling’s four, they are both 27 years old.
These receivers are extremely similar. But it appears as though Fuller has the upper-hand in a lot of categories, despite his injury history and suspension in 2020.
Another interesting note about him is his familiarity with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur was Notre Dame’s QB coach in 2014. Fuller played at Notre Dame from 2013-2015. That is why familiarity is so key here. If Green Bay was not going to retain Valdes-Scantling, the next best option would be Fuller.
After signing a one-year deal in 2021, Fuller suffered a broken thumb in Week 4 and was placed on IR. Now fully healthy and looking for a new opportunity, it would seem that a team like the Packers, a team in need of not just receivers but a new deep threat as well, would be a good fit.
Green Bay has roughly $15 million in cap space. They could sign the former Notre Dame product to a short-term deal. Aaron Rodgers would have a new deep threat and Matt LaFleur would get back an old student.