Packers: 5 free-agent wide receivers that could replace Davante Adams
The Green Bay Packers have been having a successful free agency. They have managed to retain Aaron Rodgers and most of their top-10 defense from last year.
Edge rusher Preston Smith signed a four-year extension. Both All-Pro linebacker De’Vondre Campbell and former Arizona Cardinals practice-squad-player-turned-stud cornerback Rasul Douglas are back.
Green Bay has re-signed tight end Robert Tonyan. But that is where the good news stops for the Packers. The team needs receivers for MVP Aaron Rodgers to throw to.
Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, which was a huge blow since many believed his deal would be worked out by the summer. Adams has been Rodgers’ top target and one of the league’s best receivers in the last few seasons.
Green Bay has also lost Equanimeous St. Brown to the Chicago Bears and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, with free agency comes opportunity.
Here are the top-five receivers that could be that Davante replacement. But let’s be honest about how to replace a talent like that. This does not include the recent signing of veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who will be a nice deep threat for the Packers.
1. Jarvis Landry
Jarvis Landry would be a solid pickup for the Packers for many reasons. The slot receiver position is already full in Green Bay with Amari Rodgers and Randall Cobb both gunning to be that very important option for Aaron Rodgers.
Despite the over-saturation at the position, Jarvis is the better option out of the three. Landry’s last 1,000-yard receiving campaign was in 2019. However, that was with Baker Mayfield, who has not been in the best form in the past two seasons.
Landry won’t be the most explosive wideout and he won’t be making 50-yard touchdown runs after catches that Adams can, but Landry has great hands and is a solid route-runner. With a better quarterback, I can see Jarvis making a comeback.
2. Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown has had his fair share of controversy in the last few seasons.
The way he ended his most recent stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the most outlandish, with Brown taking off his pads and equipment on the sideline and running out through the tunnel.
Despite all this, Brown is still an undeniable talent and always a plus for the quarterbacks that play with him. He has shown when he is playing without any distractions, Brown can be a key weapon to an offense that is looking to win a Super Bowl. If it worked with Tom Brady, then why can’t it work with Aaron Rodgers?
The name Antonio Brown might give the Cheeseheads out there shivers. But let’s be honest here, Green Bay could use the help and make the contract they gave Aaron Rodgers worth it.
3. Julio Jones
Julio Jones was one of the best wide receivers in this generation. Since being drafted in 2011, Jones has been considered one of the dominant forces in the league and a player that makes defenses frightened. But notice I said ‘was’.
Jones has gone down in productivity the past two seasons. The former Falcon went from six-straight 1,000-yard seasons to 771 in the 2020 season and just 434 in 2021.
These numbers don’t tell the whole story, though. Matt Ryan in Atlanta was a sinking ship ever since their Super Bowl loss. Ryan has been consistent throughout his whole career, but he is no Aaron Rodgers. Aaron has made an ageing Randal Cobb work. Why can’t he do it with Jones, who is arguably better and a bigger threat.
The Titans’ stint was already not in his favor since the offense is based around Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill is not exactly the best arm talent that he could ask for. He threw for 3,734 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions in the 2021 season.
However, Rodgers threw for 4,115 yards, 37 touchdowns and four interceptions.
While past his prime, the Packers could use an explosive and big target like Julio.
4. Will Fuller
Will Fuller is an interesting option and one that would be cheap for the Packers since he only played two games last year.
Fuller spent five seasons in Houston, where we saw his numbers climb every season.
He would be a good option for Rodgers, who is known for his deep throwing and accurate passes on the run. Both things that Fuller could complement very well and give Aaron the chunk plays we are used to seeing with Adams, minus the route-running and great hands.
5. Odell Beckham Jr.
Odell Beckham is coming off two ACL injuries in the last two-and-a-half years and is looking to bounce back after missing out on the second half of the Los Angeles Rams’ winning Super Bowl performance.
With a ring on his finger, Beckham is a fresh free agent looking to continue being a success.
Beckham moved from the Cleveland Browns in a mid-season trade that ended up being a career saver. Under Sean McVay, Beckham put up 593 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.
Be that as it may, with the injury Beckham would not be fully available until a little later in the season.
The Packers need to make a splash early and Beckham does not provide that, but he is a player they can possibly get for cheap and then sign one of the other players on this list, or go for a trade with someone like Tyler Lockett or Diontae Johnson.
Either way, Beckham would be a solid option for the Packers.
The Packers have a lot of moves to make but, with the first- and second-round picks they acquired in the Adams trade, anything could happen on the trade block and the draft.
Getting Sammy Watkins is a good start, but the Packers need a true number one receiver to give Aaron Rodgers the chance to create magic.
Whatever the choice the Packers make, it should be an interesting few months to see unfold.