The Green Bay Packers defeated the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field for the first time since September 2021. While most of the attention went to the impressive defense and the impact of the newly signed Micah Parsons, the offense deserves its flowers, opening the game with 10 unanswered points in the first quarter.
One of the biggest surprises was Dontayvion Wicks, the third-year receiver from Virginia. Wicks didn't have the best season in 2024, finishing with the fifth-most receiving yards (415), despite leading the team with 76 targets.
The biggest issue he faced was one he shared with teammate Jayden Reed: drops. The two receivers had nine drops apiece, over 11 percent of passes directed at them. Wicks also had a drop in the Packers' playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the season opener, however, Wicks looked different. He had two receptions off two targets for 30 yards and set a quick block on the Reed touchdown play.
Dontayvion Wicks took the first step toward a breakout season in Packers' Week 1 win
Two receptions might not sound like much, but there are a couple of factors to consider. The Packers possessed the ball for 10 minutes fewer than the Lions, scoring quickly while the defense forced Detroit into long, drawn-out drives. Also, Jordan Love completed 16 of just 22 pass attempts and connected with 10 different pass-catchers. Only Reed had more than two receptions, ending the day with three.
Wicks was a constant presence on the field, a hint that he could become more of an offensive threat than last year, as long as his production remains in the green. He recorded the third-most snaps among receivers on Sunday with 21, just one shy of rookie Matthew Golden's count. While Romeo Doubs took on the WR1 role today, Wicks is poised to play a significant role in 2025.
Concerns about the future have begun to surround players like Christian Watson, who is entering a contract year, but Wicks still has two seasons left on his rookie contract. Watson still doesn't have a specific return date after suffering an ACL tear last season, meaning there's a window of opportunity for Wicks to cement his future in Green Bay.
If it becomes apparent that his drop problems are a thing of the past, coach Matt LaFleur could find himself with yet another rising star.