Best & Worst Case Scenarios For The Wide Receivers

Greg Jennings makes his first Pro Bowl in our best-case scenario, James Jones falls out of favor in our worst. Find out what else may be in store the wide receivers in 2010 ...

Welcome to the fourth annual best and worst case scenarios for every player on the Green Bay Packers roster.

I attempt to take a look at what is the very best possible season a player is capable of producing, and on the other hand, what would happen if a player fell flat on his face (without assuming they suffer a season-ending injury). These are intended to be extreme scenarios on both sides of the spectrum. More than likely, each player is going to fall somewhere in the middle, but every now and then, they just so happen to come to fruition. Think Charles Woodson last year.

I also try to take a look at what these scenarios would be from an individual standpoint and not what’s best for the team. For example, parting ways with Justin Harrell may eventually be what’s in the best interest of the Packers. I’m more interested in looking at what’s in Justin Harrell’s best interests (or worst interests for that matter).

Yesterday we looked at the running backs. Today we're onto the wide receivers ...

Donald Driver

  • Best-case scenario: For about the past three years, everyone wonders if this going to be the season age catches up to Driver and his production drops off. Well, he keeps everyone wondering the same thing a year from now. His decision to have his knees scoped this offseason worked wonders for him. He defies age and once again displays the same speed, leaping ability and toughness he did at 25-years-old. Amazingly, he has more catches, yards and touchdowns than Greg Jennings and heads back to the Pro Bowl once again.
  • Worst-case scenario: This finally the year Driver's production wanes. Although it's not entirely his fault. The Packers have among the best players in the league at their position in Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley, and they steal a lot of the receptions Driver used to get. And that's not to mention the other up-and-coming pass catchers on the Packers roster at wide receiver, tight end and running back. As long as his newly-repaired knees hold up, Driver is still serviceable and is still considered one of the better No. 2 receivers in the league, however. Over 50 catches and 700 yards is a safe estimate that could easily be eclipsed.

Greg Jennings

  • Best-case scenario: Jennings' production matches his contract that makes him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. He makes his first-ever Pro Bowl when he leads the team in pretty much every statistical receiving category when he has over 1200 yards and double-digit touchdowns. He's mentioned in conversations discussion the best wide receivers in the NFL.
  • Worst-case scenario: Surprisingly, Jennings plays second fiddle to Driver once again. He's still productive, but he's a victim of having a slew of other talented players around him. It's not as if he won't put up good numbers. The 1,000-yard milestone will be within reach and five or more receiving touchdowns are easily attainable. There's not a lot of room separating Jennings' best-case and worst-case scenario.

James Jones

  • Best-case scenario: Any debate about who is the No. 3 receiver on the Packers becomes laughable by mid-season when it's clear that Jones is far and away the best option. Not only that, there's talk about how Jones could crack the starting lineup by next season when Donald Driver starts to slow down. Whatever numbers Jordy Nelson puts up this season, Jones doubles them.
  • Worst-case scenario: Jones is back in the coach's doghouse when Nelson is getting more opportunities than Jones and is taking advantage of every one of those opportunities. Either that or Jones' nagging injuries that plagued him for much of the 2008 season rear their ugly head again in 2010. Jones' contract expires after this season, and due either to ineffectiveness or his desire for a better situation, it doesn't appear as if Jones will be back in 2011.

Jordy Nelson

  • Best-case scenario: Nelson develops into the classic possession receiver most people thought he could be. In addition, he shows the ability to be a deep threat from time to time. In other words, Nelson is becoming quite the all-around receiver. He's pretty much third on the depth chart and puts up better numbers than James Jones. It's all but a given that he'll be the heir apparent to Donald Driver in the starting lineup whenever that time comes. He also continues to be one of the kick return options.
  • Worst-case scenario: Nelson is the fourth-best wide receiver on the team. While he doesn't do anything concrete to complain about, his numbers are just marginal. He has a season very similar to 2009 when he had 22 catches for 320 yards and two touchdowns. Much of the same is in store for 2010. After an underachieving year returning kicks, Nelson isn't an option in that capacity this season.

Brett Swain

  • Best-case scenario: Swain successfully comes back from a season-ending knee injury to retain his job as the team's No. 5 wide receiver, making the 53-man roster in the process. He's far from being a factor on offense, but he finds his niche on the team by averaging one catch per game and a touchdown or two by the end of the season. He also is picks up where he left off on special teams when he stuffed the Chicago Bears on a fake punt in the season opener last season. His experience puts him at an advantage over the younger wide receivers trying to make the team.
  • Worst-case scenario: Due to his knee surgery, he lost a step and just isn't worthy of making the team. He doesn't have the speed he once had, which negatively affects any impact he might make on both on offense and special teams. He puts up a fight to the very end, but the Packers end up placing him on waivers on the final cut-down date.

Patrick Williams

  • Best-case scenario: With Donald Driver and Brett Swain sitting out of offseason practices, Williams took advantage of the couple reps he took with the first-string offense. Thanks to making the 53-man roster last season, his knowledge of the offense also puts him a leg up on some of the undrafted rookies he's competing against. Williams wins the No. 5 wide receiver role, although his impact is minimal during the regular season.
  • Worst-case scenario: Williams puts up a valiant effort, but he just can't surpass Brett Swain to win a spot on the team. Not helping his cause is that Swain is the superior special teams player. Williams might be a practice squad candidate, but even that isn't guaranteed when some of this year's undrafted rookies show more potential.

Chastin West

  • Best-case scenario: Thanks to his size, West would seem to have a bit of a leg up on the rest of this year's undrafted rookies. Because he really, really impressed as a kick return option during training camp, he was able to nab a roster spot when the Packers went against the odds and kept six wide receivers on the 53-man roster. He only sees the field on offense if there's an injury ahead of him, but he wins a job because the Packers desperately need a kick returner.
  • Worst-case scenario: Unable to be a factor on offense and not even given a fair shake as a kick returner, West is unable to make the team. He's among the first players cut when the Packers have to cut down to 75 players on August 31.

Charles Dillon

  • Best-case scenario: Because he was able to show the explosion he did first as a kick returner at Washington State and later in Arena 2, Dillon is able to make the team as pretty much a kick return specialist when the Packers keep six wideouts. If the Packers didn't need help so much help at the kick return position, Dillon may not have been an option. But that's beside the point when he defied the odds and made the 53-man roster. His speed makes people believe he could be a deep threat on offense at some point.
  • Worst-case scenario: Dillon gets lost in the shuffle amongst a wide receiving corps of 1o players in training camp. Simply caught up in a numbers game, Dillon doesn't get as many opportunities to prove his worth and is cut at some point during training camp.

Shawn Gore

  • Best-case scenario: Coming from Canada and playing against a very low level of competition, Gore is very raw. But because he shows potential and can play on nearly any special teams unit, he has some uncovered potential. The Packers sign him to the practice squad in hopes that he develops and can eventually become a role player in the NFL with a little more experience.
  • Worst-case scenario: Gore is beyond rough around the edges. He was worth taking a chance on in training camp, but when it becomes time to put the pads on and play against more experienced American-bred football players, the young wide receiver proves to be a liability. He was a first-round draft choice in the Canadian Football League draft, so he returns to his fall-back option where he is able to hold his own.

Jeff Moturi

  • Best-case scenario: Moturi gets a few receptions during the exhibition season. Hopefully that's enough to grab the eye of some scouts so he can continue his professional playing career elsewhere. His 5-11, 186 pound frame just isn't big enough for someone of his average athletic ability by NFL standards.
  • Worst-case scenario: The Packers have to cut two players in order to get Bryan Bulaga, Mike Neal and Atari Bigby all under contract. Moturi is cut and doesn't even get the chance to go to training camp with the Green Bay Packers.
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Comments (16)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
FITZCORE1252's picture

July 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm

Best case = this group SHATTERS the all receiving records for a team in a season.

Worst case = this group only destroys all the receiving records for a team in a season.

And I've been accused of being a "Homer". Pffft.

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LIZNIFE

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FITZCORE1252's picture

July 22, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Edit button anyone??? LOL.

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Wiscokid's picture

July 22, 2010 at 09:46 pm

I thought that LIZNIFE was some kind of word that I wasn't cool enough to understand. Are you saying that it isn't?

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FITZCORE1252's picture

July 23, 2010 at 08:54 am

I was referring to this - "this group SHATTERS the all receiving records"

And you know you're cool enough Wisco!

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davyjones's picture

July 22, 2010 at 12:28 pm

What a wonderful problem to have!! The worstcase scenario's for our #1 & #2 is that their production drops just because there is so damn much talent elsewhere on offense. God, this is going to be fun!

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DAWG's picture

July 22, 2010 at 12:34 pm

What can you say, this group is outstanding, have to fix dropped pass's of last yr., way to many for this talented group.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

July 22, 2010 at 12:39 pm

F'ing A.

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PackersRS's picture

July 22, 2010 at 01:00 pm

Just one thing: Jordy's best case scenario is if he's NOT returning kicks. If he's returning kicks, that's a worst case scenario both for him AND for the team. For the team, for obvious reasons. And for him, because it means he's not taking enough snaps in the offense to warrant rest during the ST play.

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some_dude's picture

July 22, 2010 at 01:41 pm

We're really lucky to have this group. I'm predicting big things for Nelson this season. He's always looked good but now he knows the system and his role inside out. He and Jones could be the real hidden threats this season. Hope McCarthy uses them well.

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aussiepacker's picture

July 22, 2010 at 07:22 pm

It will be interesting to see what they do with the number 5 spot. Will swain retain it or if one of the undrafed players with kick return ability show enough in camp they might grab the 5th spot. Or they keep 6 WR on the roster but i doubt that happens.

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NyPacker's picture

July 22, 2010 at 07:52 pm

I'm not sure how much value that No. 5 wideout spot gives you. I think they may keep a total of 4 TEs. A quartet of pass catching options in Lee, Havner, Finley and Quarless give you much better playmaking opportunities than a No. 5 wideout who barely sees the field. And I'm not sold on any one of those guys as a kick/punt returner just yet.

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PackerAaron's picture

July 22, 2010 at 07:54 pm

Agree w/this. Esp as Finley takes the 5th WR spot when they go to what used to be "Big 5".

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Tarynfor12's picture

July 23, 2010 at 05:47 pm

So,Finley is the 5th WR,are you perhaps reading more into the "I want a piece of Revis" more than just "Basketball" talk and we keep 4TE's and 4Wr's in essence?

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DAWG's picture

July 22, 2010 at 10:08 pm

This might be the most explosive offense in the NFL, add Starks catching ability out of the back field and add Q from Dame, to compliment Fin., and our already accomplished WR's WTF. Punch you in the face offense---bring it on!

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just somebody's picture

July 22, 2010 at 10:46 pm

If he comes back healthy from his injury the 5th spot goes to Swain.

He's decent on special teams (covering not returning) and he can play as an emergency dback. (or ahead of Bush in a nonemergency)

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andrew's picture

July 27, 2010 at 02:44 am

i think nelson is going to be our new donald driver. when driver retires.. the solid hands that is a go to guy when your 3rd and 5.. thats what i would like to see.. driver will have a solid season. his production isnt going to change when it comes to number of receptions.. might see a drop off in YAC. Jennings.. is a stud.. but doesnt seem to have his head in the game.. breaks out on a lot of routes and rodgers missed some of the throws last year.. (playoff game.. in overtime. dont overthrow jennings and the game ends with a packer win) that wont happen this year. rodgers feels more comfortable in the pocket and will have more time with a solid o line giving jennings time to run his routes and breakaway jennings will have a highlight season in the next year or two. James Jones. is exactly where he should be.. he reminds me of robert ferguson. quick and able to gain decent yards but i just isnt a number 1 or 2 guy.. great player at number 3 with big play potential. will put up good numbers as long as he is in that spot Swain is the 5th WR simply because of the special teams and all around ability he has.. whichever rookie impresses the most gets put on the practice squad.. the others are let go

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