Packers 2022 post-draft position review: Wide receivers

Packers07 23
Packers07 23

Change was expected for the Green Bay Packers at the wide receiver position, and that’s exactly what happened.

After losing All-Pro Davante Adams via trade, have the Packers done enough to strengthen the wide receiver corps this offseason?

Next in our Packers post-draft position reviews, we look at wide receiver.

Currently on the roster

Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, Juwann Winfree, Malik Taylor, Chris Blair, Danny Davis, Rico Gafford

Offseason moves

The big offseason move saw the Packers trade Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Green Bay also lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown in free agency. MVS signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Brown signed with the Chicago Bears.

General manager Brian Gutekunst started the wide receiver rebuild by signing free agent Sammy Watkins before drafting Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure.

Improved from 2021?

No.

Christian Watson might be a future star. Romeo Doubs has the potential to become an excellent receiver. Sammy Watkins can help this offense.

But nobody is replacing Davante Adams.

Key player

Allen Lazard.

The Packers will hope to get first-year contributions from their rookie receivers, but we need to limit expectations. It’s never easy for rookies to make an instant impact, especially at wide receiver.

Lazard now has plenty of experience and is one of Aaron Rodgers’ most trusted targets.

He has stepped up when the Packers have needed him in the past. Can Lazard now become one of Rodgers’ top targets consistently?

Position outlook

Replacing Adams’ production is impossible. It’s also important to note that Valdes-Scantling and St. Brown had built chemistry and trust with Rodgers. That takes time.

Green Bay’s wide receiver corps will be a work in progress. There will be ups and downs.

That said, this can be a well-rounded group. The Packers may not have a clear WR1, but this room does feature a lot of talent.

Even if Watson and Doubs take a few years to reach their potential, they can still contribute as rookies. And both players have the speed to hurt defenses.

Lazard and Watkins can be reliable targets for Rodgers. The same is true for Randall Cobb, who has no shortage of chemistry with No. 12.

If Amari Rodgers can also take a step forward in his second season, he can also make an impact.

The Packers have two slot receivers in Cobb and Rodgers. A solid possession receiver in Lazard. Three capable deep threats in Watson, Doubs, and Watkins.

This wide receiver corps does have more speed than in recent years. That helps.

Big questions will be asked of this group, but they should still be productive in 2022.

Schedule