The Green Bay Packers need to get Jordan Love more help this offseason.
Strengthening the offensive line is a potential under-the-radar need, especially if starting center Josh Myers departs in free agency. However, the most pressing concern coming out of this month's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was the lack of a consistent pass-catcher.
Christian Watson is out indefinitely and could miss most of next season. Watson and Romeo Doubs, who are entering the final year of their rookie deals, face an uncertain future.
Neither Jayden Reed nor Dontayvion Wicks took the second-year jumps everyone expected, and the two ranked inside the top 10 for drops, per PFF.
The Packers won't, and shouldn't, give up on their talented young pass-catchers. That said, they can't just assume one of them will break out in 2025. General manager Brian Gutekunst must also think of the future. It's hard to imagine the team re-signs Watson and Doubs a year from now. It's important to plan ahead.
Trading for a star wide receiver like Garrett Wilson or DK Metcalf is the dream scenario this offseason, but the more likely option comes via the draft.
Fortunately, the Packers get a great opportunity to evaluate a potential early-round target.
Packers get a front-row seat to watch potential draft target Jayden Higgins
Gutekunst is in Mobile, Alabama, to get a closer look at potential draft targets, but he's not alone. Packers passing game coordinator Jason Vrable is serving as the National Team's offensive coordinator, which means he is working closely with Iowa State wide receiver Jayden Higgins.
Higgins is a name to watch on Day 2 of the draft.
He has everything Gutekunst looks for at wide receiver. Size? Check. Higgins is 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds. Production? You bet. The Iowa State product dominated in 2024, catching 87 passes for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns while earning Pro Football Focus' third-highest receiving grade in the entire NCAA.
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The best part? Higgins has safe hands and catches almost everything. Per PFF, he dropped only two passes in 2024.
Higgins could become Love's reliable boundary receiver, someone he can turn to in crucial moments.
There are several other wide receivers to watch at the Senior Bowl, including Utah State's Jalen Royals and TCU's Jack Bech — Gutekunst will undoubtedly be taking notes. But the Packers have the extra advantage with the National Team wide receivers like Higgins, as Vrable will spend all week coaching them.
Fun fact: Malik Heath was the only Packers receiver to catch a pass this season who didn't participate in the Senior Bowl. Green Bay loves to add players who compete in Mobile, Alabama, especially at wide receiver.
Higgins could be the next Packers receiver from the Senior Bowl.