Packers drafted two first-round WRs for Jordan Love without actually having to do it

The Green Bay Packers haven't drafted a wide receiver in the first round for over two decades, yet they've had some of the deepest receiving groups in the league in that time.

Green Bay's run without a first-round receiver likely won't end anytime soon, nor does it need to.

The Packers have an outstanding track record of landing talented receivers after the first round. Green Bay drafted Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, and Greg Jennings in the second round. They were all first-round talents whom the Packers found later in the draft.

History is repeating itself with Jordan Love. His receiving corps features multiple players who have proven why they are first-round talents despite falling to later rounds.

Redraft highlights Packers ability to find first-round talent at receiver later on

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports redrafted the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft now that we've seen a year from the rookie class. Trapasso chose three Packers in the first round, including two wide receivers: Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.

Green Bay selected Reed in the second round and Wicks in the fifth. If teams could do over the 2023 draft, both would be candidates for first-round picks. Reed and Wicks combined for 103 catches, 1,374 yards, and 12 touchdowns.

The redraft has Reed going 22nd overall and Wicks 32nd—Green Bay selected them 50th and 159th, respectively. They proved they are first-round talent, but the Packers drafted them later.

Many wanted the Packers to select Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 13th overall pick. Reed, whom they drafted a round later, enjoyed a better rookie season.

Reed became Jordan Love's go-to target in the regular season, leading the Packers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was dominant in the slot, but Matt LaFleur found creative ways to get the ball in his hands.

Wicks' smooth route-running and impressive release package drew comparisons to Davante Adams. The sky is the limit for the fifth-round pick, whose connection with Love strengthened throughout the season.

Reed and Wicks are future stars in Green Bay's offense and are at the beginning of their journeys. Imagine where they could be three years from now. Jordy Nelson had to wait until year four to hit 1,000 yards. Davante Adams struggled in year two but enjoyed a breakout third season.

It's exciting to think how good Reed and Wicks can become.

And that's before we even begin to discuss Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, who are entering their third season in 2024.

Watson needs to stay healthy, but he's a star. He changes games with his big-play ability, and his presence on the field forces opponents to defend the Packers differently. Doubs tied Reed for the Packers' lead in receiving touchdowns before reaching another stratosphere in the playoffs, catching 10 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown in two games.

The Packers have a deep, talented receiving corps, and they didn't use a single first-round pick to build it. But that doesn't mean they don't have first-round talent.

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