Once among the strongest position groups in football, the Green Bay Packers' wide receiver room is looking pretty bleak entering the offseason.
Christian Watson is likely to miss some time after tearing his ACL in Week 18. Romeo Doubs missed four games in 2024, and the concern is that he suffered multiple concussions, including the one that ended his season in the playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
While Jayden Reed led the Packers in receiving yards for the second straight season, he also struggled with drops. During his season-ending press conference, Matt LaFleur told the media that he still believes in this group, but losing Watson had a big impact.
Simply put, the Packers need the downfield threat that lets the rest of the offense work. If Watson is out, Green Bay needs to add someone who can do that, as it does not appear the team currently has that kind of guy. Ideally, this would also be a player who can become the go-to target for a first down, no matter the down and distance.
So, who could fill that role?
Potential free agent moves the Packers could make at wide receiver
1. Davante Adams (if the Jets release him)
This one is kind of a no-brainer, right? This week, Davante Adams joined Up & Adams and said he believes in Jordan Love. He hinted that maybe the team needs a veteran receiver. Speculation amped up even further after Packers safety Xavier McKinney responded to the video.
Adams is currently under contract with the New York Jets after reuniting with Aaron Rodgers this season. He has two years left on his current deal unless the Jets release him, as many have speculated they may do with a new regime coming.
Adams just turned 32, and despite playing for two struggling teams in 2024, he still turned in a respectable 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games. He would've led the Packers in each metric.
It would make sense for the Jets to outright release him for a dead cap hit of only $8 million, at which point the question becomes, would he want to take a pay cut to come back home? If the answer is yes, this may make a lot of sense.
2. Tee Higgins
Another name already floated as an option for the Packers is Tee Higgins. Higgins would certainly fill the Christian Watson-esque role while the young receiver recovers, standing at 6-foot-4 with 4.59 speed in his 40-yard dash.
When healthy, Higgins is a stud. He is coming off a 911-yard and 10-touchdown season despite missing five games. Of course, health is a big factor, as he has only played in one full season, which was his rookie year in 2020. Still, the upside is obviously there and would fall in line with Green Bay's willingness to spend on impact players.
After playing last season on the Cincinnati Bengals ' franchise tag, Higgins may be the most expensive option on this list. By the time the season starts, Higgins will only be 26 years old and factors to sign a hefty contract unless the Bengals franchise-tag him again. Nevertheless, the Packers are currently estimated to have $51 million in cap room for next season and could make a deal happen.
3. Chris Godwin
This one may be a bit of a stretch, but hear me out. Chris Godwin is a free agent but is coming off an ankle injury that cut his 2024 season to just seven games.
In that time, Godwin registered 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns, which would have put him third in touchdowns, fifth in yards, and tied for second in catches for the 2024 Packers. And he achieved this in less than half a season.
At 6-foot-1, Godwin uses blazing speed, having run a 4.42 40 at the NFL Combine prior to being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Packers fans are familiar with Godwin. In his past two games against Green Bay, he has caught 15 passes for 265 yards.
Health is a concern as Godwin prepares for his age-29 season. He has already had ACL surgery, as well as ankle surgery from the injury this season. However, if you can lure him away from Tampa Bay, he may be a great addition to this team.
Wide receivers the Packers could target in the 2025 NFL Draft
A quick note for the draft portion: I am going to try to keep this as logical as possible. Tetairoa McMillan and Travis Hunter won't be on this list. Rather, I am going to take a look at who can fill roles for the Packers and who would realistically be available without having to give up too much capital.
1. Emuka Egbuka, Ohio State
This one is a bit of a pipe dream, but picture this, if you will. The 2025 NFL Draft is moving along, live from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and all of a sudden, "Trade Alert" flashes across the screen. Everything turns green, and thousands of screaming Cheeseheads lose their mind as their beloved Packers select their first offensive skill player in the first round since Javon Walker.
To make this happen, Green Bay may have to trade up. Various mock drafts have Emuka Egbuka going anywhere from 15 to 21. The Packers don't hit the clock until No. 23.
Egbuka possesses elite speed and is one of the most impressive route runners in this draft class. He has a great release off the line and can shift his body and catch with his hands to make himself open.
Egbuka may not fit the exact mold of what the Packers are missing with the Christian Watson injury, but in this instance, that is perfectly OK. Egbuka's speed and athleticism would do wonders for Matt LaFleur's offense.
2. Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
Elic Ayomanor is a projected Day 2 pick, which is perfect for the Packers because it would allow them to address their defense in the first round.
At 6-foot-2, Ayomanor fits more as an outside receiver than Egbuka, which is a greater need for the Packers. Turn on any highlight video, and there is an easy comparison to Packers great Jordy Nelson. He is a natural route runner with plenty of power and speed.
As for his fit with the Packers, not only can Ayomanor do all those things above, but he is a willing blocker who will beat you to the point of attack and impose his size and tenacity on you. Ayomanor would be a great Day 2 pick for Green Bay.
3. Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Jayden Higgins is receiving late Day 2 or Day 3 grades from many draft analysts. Higgins is a bigger receiver, standing at 6-foot-4. He uses his long wingspan to attack the ball, shielding defenders with that frame. Higgins has shown a fantastic talent for knowing his spacing and can consistently find openings in zone schemes.
Unlike the other two draft prospects, he lacks the elite speed to win on speed/elusiveness alone. However, the frame and size can work deep down the field in a unique way. He is not going to wow anyone, but he can prove to be a valuable piece to a receiver group that desperately needs additional weapons.