Free agency hasn't even started, but the Green Bay Packers have missed out on two dream wide receiver targets.
A reunion with Davante Adams made all the sense in the world. He could choose his own destination after the New York Jets released him earlier this week, and the six-time Pro Bowler will return to the West Coast to join Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford with the Los Angeles Rams. Adams won't follow Aaron Rodgers to his next team.
With a need for a field-stretcher with game-changing speed following Christian Watson's long-term injury, Packers fans identified DK Metcalf as an ideal target. Metcalf requested a trade earlier this week, offering hope that a dream move could become a reality.
Only an hour after Adams signed with the Rams, the Seahawks agreed to a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Metcalf. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers are sending a second-round pick to the Seahawks.
It leaves the Packers out in the cold. They need wide receiver help but must now scramble to assess the best remaining options.
Packers may have to pivot to the draft to find the wide receiver help they need after missing out on DK Metcalf and Davante Adams
Where do the Packers go from here? Beyond a reunion with Adams or a trade for Metcalf, Tee Higgins was among the dream targets this offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals franchise-tagged him to end that possibility.
The only star receiver remaining is Chris Godwin, whose contract expires at the start of the new league year. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will reportedly "make it very hard" for another team to sign him. Godwin is also 29 years old and coming off a major injury.
Beyond Godwin, which free-agent wide receiver can we realistically say would give the Packers an upgrade? Amari Cooper? Stefon Diggs? DeAndre Hopkins? They are all 30 and above, and Green Bay prefers to sign younger free agents. Adams would've been an exception to the rule.
It likely means Green Bay will have to pivot to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Texas receiver Matthew Golden is an ideal Metcalf alternative, but landing him would require the Packers to end their first-round wide receiver drought while also passing on the best available edge-rushers and cornerbacks.
Iowa State's Jayden Higgins, Tre Harris of Ole Miss, and TCU's Jack Bech are potential Day 2 targets to watch.
Fortunately, the Packers should have plenty of options in April's draft, but their hopes of landing a game-changing veteran pass-catcher might already be over. Outside of making a surprise move for Godwin or another star becoming available via trade, we may need to pivot to our wide receiver big boards.