Packers 53-man roster predictions 2022: Wide receivers

A compelling case could be made for wide receiver being the most important position on the Green Bay Packers‘ roster in 2022.

With the losses of All-Pro Davante Adams and speedster Marquez Valdes-Scantling, it will be all the more crucial that Green Bay’s makeshift corps can step up and play well.

Each receiver that ends up making the final 53-man roster will have their own unique job to perform.

All signs are pointing towards this group being deep and underrated. It appears that Matt LaFleur could have as many as seven receivers on the final roster. But who specifically will make it? Let’s predict.

Packers 53-man roster predictions: Wide receivers

Randall Cobb: The 12-year veteran not only knows the ins and outs of playing receiver in the NFL, he knows the ins and outs of playing with Aaron Rodgers. This will be his 10th season in Green Bay.

He will always have the trust of Rodgers in the slot, which is his primary position. Although his 2021 season was cut short due to injury, the former Kentucky Wildcat still caught the most touchdown receptions that he has had since 2015 (five).

Cobb will be a key piece of this offense down the stretch as they push for a Super Bowl, something that he is still waiting for.

Allen Lazard: The former Iowa State product is the most likely candidate to lead the team in receptions. Last season, he set career highs in targets (60), receptions (40), yards (513), and touchdowns (eight).

With his 6-5 frame, he is bound to be a massive weapon in the red zone, as well as being a monster while run-blocking. He does everything well, which is what makes him so unique. He is willing to lay everything out there for his team. Look for another career-high season from No. 13, especially in a contract year.

Sammy Watkins: The former Super Bowl winner signed a one-year deal this offseason with Green Bay and is looking for a bounce-back season after a down year in Baltimore. The eight-year veteran can win one-on-one against most cornerbacks and rest assured, Rodgers will look to him in big moments.

Christian Watson: The Packers traded up in the second round of April’s NFL Draft to select Watson. At North Dakota State, Watson was one of the elite all-around receivers and skill players in America.

What is so unique about him is that he is 6-4 with 4.3 speed. Those types of players that tall with that speed don’t come around very often. He can take a jet sweep 75 yards to the house. He can return kicks. He can run every route. Matt LaFleur could use him as a gadget player that defenses will have to account for whenever he is on the field.

Romeo Doubs: Doubs has a lot of Alshon Jeffery in his game. He just plays bigger than the defender. He is just 6-2 but knows how to shield the defender off and use his long arms to make the catch.

Doubs rewrote the record books at Nevada. He ended his college career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He can also return kicks like Watson. He will wear the No. 87. That is fitting because he is a sneaky good pick to be Aaron Rodgers’ new big-play threat down the field. Keep an eye out for Doubs.

Amari Rodgers: Rodgers had a rough rookie season. He only had four catches. But he reportedly has slimmed down and feels much more confident about his route-running abilities.

Also, keep in mind that there is no Davante Adams or MVS to take away his targets. He will have more opportunities to make plays. He will learn even more from Randall Cobb, who is his mentor and close friend.

Julio Jones: Why not? The Packers have $17 million just sitting around. Why not just go get a future Hall of Famer, who is in need of a Super Bowl ring to cap off a historic career?

Adding Jones would give this group more experience. Despite only playing in 10 games last year for Tennessee, Jones netted 434 receiving yards and had a yards-per-reception rate of 14.3. That is pretty good for someone who is 33 and playing in an offense with Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown.

Jones is still in great shape and a connection with Aaron Rodgers would help him have a massive bounce-back season. If the Packers get Jones, they have everything they need on offense to bring the Vince Lombardi Trophy home. A one-year deal with incentives and a void year wouldn’t hurt at all.