The Green Bay Packers' wide receiver room is very much in flux after they traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles. But even prior to Wicks' departure, multiple other wideouts on Green Bay's roster had uncertain futures.
Jayden Reed is due to hit free agency next offseason, and the same goes for size-speed dynamo Christian Watson. Whereas Reed has been occasionally dinged up, Watson has a very real history of hamstring issues and suffered a torn ACL in late 2024.
Although Watson came back ready to roll this past season, Green Bay may opt for a comparable prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft as his eventual replacement.
Tennessee WR and potential Christian Watson clone visits with Packers
Chris Brazzell II could be in play for the Packers with the 52nd overall pick, as he's slated to visit Green Bay as of Monday, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Wide receivers who hail from Tennessee have tended to struggle adjusting to pro-style offenses. However, the Volunteers didn't run as gimmicky of a system in 2025, which bodes well for Brazzell's immense athletic gifts translating to a more immediate impact at the NFL level. He's quite the route-runner, too, when given the chance to show off that aspect of his game.
Brazzell matches Watson's 6-4 frame, albeit at about 14 pounds lighter (208 vs. 194). He doesn't have Watson's ability to reach top speed as quickly, yet Brazzell is still a lethal deep threat who averaged 16.4 yards per catch in his last collegiate season. ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. had Brazzell as a projected first-rounder as early as February.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love has a penchant for launching the ball downfield. He'd love to have a weapon like Brazzell at his disposal in the coming years. The question is, will Green Bay focus on the bigger picture, or spring for a more immediate need in the second round like cornerback or defensive tackle?
If nothing else, Brazzell fits the size profile that the Pack often covet at wide receiver. Second-year third-round pick Savion Williams had 10 catches as a rookie and is still raw, but his upside is undeniable at 6-4, 228 pounds.
Can Green Bay really count on Williams and 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden as Love's long-term wide receiver duo? Or might it be better to hedge on someone like Brazzell to kick off the 2026 draft?
We'll all find out together soon enough. In any event, it's noteworthy that the Packers are doing their due diligence on Brazzell and other wideouts in the weeks leading up to the big event. Maybe it's more of a consequence of losing Romeo Doubs to New England in free agency than anything else.
Based on the current roster outlook and Green Bay being very much in a win-now window, someone like Ole Miss' De'Zhaun Stribling makes more sense on late Day 2 or early Day 3. Brazzell is unlikely to slip past the second round. The Cheeseheads ought to prioritize defense with their first pick. That said, far stranger things have transpired in the NFL Draft.
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