Packers Rookie Wide Receivers Are Finding Their Place
Significant game action for Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown is solidifying their bond with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense.
By Ryan Brunner
Following a wild and unfamiliar offseason according to the standards set by former General Manager Ted Thompson, the Green Bay Packers and new GM Brian Gutekunst made some roster moves that certainly shook the Packers fanbase. Most notably was the surprising release of veteran wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
Nelson became a fan favorite very quickly in Green Bay and also the reliable crutch for quarterback Aaron Rodgers when a big first down or touchdown was needed. His reliability to run picture-perfect routes and haul just about any ball in thrown his away made his sudden release shocking to most people. With him gone, the Packers entered free agency and the pending NFL draft with more help needed at the position.
As the free agency period aged, the Packers didn’t sign a big name wide receiver but they were in the running for the services of Allen Robinson. In the end, the Packers lost out in his signing to the Chicago Bears with a hefty price tag of three years, $42 million paid by the Bears.
The lack of a free agent wide receiver signing brought the position into focus as the Packers entered the NFL Draft this past spring. In a surprising move to most, the Packers spent three of their selections on wide receivers in the later rounds of the draft in rounds five, six and seven. Where many of the mock drafts and experts had the Packers selecting one or potentially two receivers, Gutekunst selected J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown to join the squad and compete for roster spots. All three receivers offered the Packers offense a unique skill set.
As training camp progressed into the preseason, the trio of young receivers was making plays on a daily basis. As any young wide receiver knows upon entering the league, earning the trust of the starting quarterback is the only chance to see balls thrown your way in game action and this fact is compounded when talking about Aaron Rodgers running the offense.
As the final roster was released, the Packers kept a total of eight wide receivers on the 53-man roster but would subsequently make moves to place both Jake Kumerow and Trevor Davis on injured reserve within the first 10 days of the final roster being set. Moore, MVS and EQ all made the 53-man roster and would potentially get opportunities to impress into the regular season.
With Davante Adams leading the charge as one of the top wide receivers in the league and Randall Cobb continuing his solid play with the game-winning touchdown in the opening game against the Bears, third-year receiver Geronimo Allison was given first rights as the third wide receiver seeing action and he didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately for the team, injuries to both Allison and Cobb forced the issue for the rookie wide receivers and MVS was given the first opportunities to shine with the Packers regular season offense.
MVS’s coming out party in the NFL took place in Detroit in the Packers week five loss. After getting the starting nod against Buffalo the week prior and notching one catch for 38 yards, he got the start again against the Lions and impressed with seven receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. MVS followed up that performance against the San Francisco 49ers with three big catches for 103 yards. Coming out of the draft knowing that his speed could be a killer to take the top off of opposing defenses, MVS earned his spot in the starting lineup with solid route running and the ability to haul in passes coupled with his speed. As the Packers enter their bye week, he sits second on the team in total wide receiver snap counts on the season behind Davante Adams. MVS has also been seeing significant action on Packers special teams units and appears to be a competent replacement for Jeff Janis as a gunner on punts.
Rookie Equanimeous St. Brown also is coming into his own and finding his groove with the Packers offense, even in a limited role so far this year. In Detroit, he tallied three receptions for 89 yards with most of the yards coming on a big catch and run on a nifty move he put on in the waning minute of the game as the Packers were trying to mount a comeback. Then against the 49ers, St. Brown only collected one ball, but it came during the final drive as Rodgers and the offense were pushing downfield for the game-winning field goal. With 15 seconds remaining in the game and facing 3rd & 2 near midfield, St. Brown broke down the right sideline and Rodgers connected with him on a back shoulder throw for 19 yards and a quick step out of bounds to stop the clock. The play brought back memories of the multitude of times that Rodgers had connected with Jordy Nelson on similar plays.
The third and most disappointing of the rookie wide receivers is J’Mon Moore. Perhaps having the most promise of potential NFL playmaking ability coming out of college, Moore struggled through preseason action with costly drops and he was surpassed on the depth chart by his rookie teammates. Having only been active for three games so far this season, Moore notched his first reception against the 49ers for ten yards and a first down inside the red zone.
As the Packers enter their bye week with hopes to get healthy all across the board, all indications are leading to both Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison returning to play when the Packers travel to Los Angeles in 11 short days. Further adding to the mix in the weeks following the bye are the potential returns of both Jake Kumerow and Trevor Davis, who were put on injured reserve after making the initial 53-man roster and making them eligible for a potential return to the roster this season. With Kumerow being the hero of the Packers training camp in 2018 and Davis having played a significant special teams role in years past, a lot remains to be seen how the Packers wide receivers group looks in the weeks following the bye.
Either way it ends up looking, the experience that the rookie wide receivers have gained so far is going to be invaluable to their development on this team for the future. But thinking about the here and now in 2018, the action seen so far this season for MVS and St. Brown may end up paying dividends down the road this season as the Packers look to stay in the hunt for a coveted NFC playoff spot. They’ve earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers so far and that bodes well for them and the entire Packers team moving forward.
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Ryan Brunner is an avid Packers fan hailing from Chippewa Falls, WI. He is a firm believer that punters are NFL players too! Follow him on Twitter @brunwardo
Comments (32)
4thand1
October 17, 2018 at 02:41 pm
Looks and sounds like the AR trust factor is gaining confidence in the young guys also. MVS is a keeper, get him the ball.
TheBigCheeze
October 17, 2018 at 04:21 pm
St Brown looks pretty good, too.......
TheVOR
October 17, 2018 at 03:03 pm
MVS has a future, looks like a workman kind of WR. Loved the St. Brown Catch, was a monster, with nice footwork and in getting out of bounds.
Moore? Man, to have all that ability, and he just can't cleanly catch a football. He actually bobbled the one target he did see but managed to bring it in. Moore has hands like a defensive back, not a WR. He absolutely has to figure that out, too much possible upside that will never be realized if he doesn't stop bobbling and dropping the ball.
Bearmeat
October 17, 2018 at 03:13 pm
The rookie WRs and rookie CBs are going to be the cornerstones of this team by 2021. Not ready for primetime yet, but getting better weekly and already impressive. All 5 of them could end up being excellent starters, and the ceiling is higher for a couple of them.
The thing holding this team back is bad athletes at OLB, stubbornness by the head coach and QB, and poor safety play. OLB is not going to be fixed this year. Neither is safety, barring something drastic.
But stubbornness by MM and AR could really make a difference if they get over themselves.
TheBigCheeze
October 17, 2018 at 04:24 pm
correction.....the rookie WRs ARE ready for primetime.....and they proved it on Monday ....and what has Rodgers done that was stubborn??
Bearmeat
October 17, 2018 at 06:09 pm
Regarding Rodgers: Throw. The. Damn. Ball. To. The. Open. Guy. And stop taking 4 second long sacks.
Regarding the Rookie WRs and CBs - they're talented, but they are making mental errors. Several of them every game. To me, that says: "Not yet ready." Regardless, we need the CBs now and will need the WRs whenever Cobb/Allison are hurt.
Pauly
October 17, 2018 at 06:16 pm
Separate subject.
I would like to see an in depth article comparing AR with Brady in their play styles?? Someone who knows a lot more about FB than I do.
I see Brady constantly moving the chains with short quick passes and playing in lots of SBs
I see AR do a few quick passes then stop and start holding the ball looking for the crowd pleasing deep passes.
I am thinking AR is a adrenaline junkie who has to have a highlight reel pass to bring crowd to its feet.
Literally,, he can't force himself to play like Brady because he becomes bored with short quick passes. He always wants to swing for the fence with a home run ball.
Guam
October 17, 2018 at 04:21 pm
The knock on Moore coming out of college was poor hands and he has proven that to be true. Not sure that is fixable with coaching. MVS and ESB are proving to be legit NFL receivers and as much of an advocate for Allison as I have been, those two rookies have surpassed him just because of their ability to take the top off a defense.
With Adams, Cobb, MVS and ESB, I am not sure there is much need for Kumerow this year. How many receivers can you play? I think the returnees from IR will be places of greater need.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 18, 2018 at 03:12 am
At present and barring injuries, no one is likely to be recalled from IR. Murphy is ineligible, Ryan and Wilkerson have year-long recovery times, leaving just Kumerow and Trevor Davis as possibilities. Who would you cut to make a roster spot for Kumerow or Davis? Which WR's snaps would you reduce to make room for Kumerow? Davis could return to his gunner and PR duties, I suppose.
[Now, if Tramon (PR) or one of the gunners goes on IR, that changes the calculation for Davis. If one of the WRs goes on IR, that changes the calculation for Kumerow. Teams get two recalls, and really GB only has two candidates.]
Agent to Jmon Moore: "No injury hiccups, get it? Because any ailment might just turn into a mysterious injury that lands you on the IR, allowing GB to recall Kumerow or Davis."
Davis and Kumerow are eligible to return week 9 against NE, not week 8 in time for LAR. One would assume they'd need at least some time before they would be ready to see the field since IR players, while they can attend meeting and be around the team, can't practice while on IR.
flackcatcher
October 18, 2018 at 09:15 pm
As you say tgr, this team has not seen repeated visits by the injury god this year. (so far so good) The only position of real need is the OL, and that was a known issue before the season started. Barring injury, this was the WR group the Packers committed to. Davis and Kumerow are, to be blunt being stashed on the IR for next year. Both, for different reasons. Frankly, if the Packers are deep in the hunt after week 9, I would not be surprised to see a rookie like Moore get cut and replaced with Davis. Do I see it happening, not really. This GM channels Ted Thompson in regard to draft choices. And at this point, it is more important to have continuity on the field, rather than have change for changes sake.
Doug Niemczynski
October 17, 2018 at 05:01 pm
Dunno. ..Aaron Rogers favorite was Jake Kumerow...and Trevor Davis could really help us on punt returns.
Colin_C
October 17, 2018 at 05:16 pm
Is Kumerow eligible to return for the Rams game, or is it the following week? I know it was just preseason, but I was very impressed with his play. I won't be surprised if he lights it up with 12 at QB. Half the battle for our WR's is getting Rodgers to look your way, and Kumerow seems to have done that already.
stockholder
October 17, 2018 at 05:22 pm
I was surprised they took Moore and MVS before St. Brown. MVS working with Randy Moss may have been just what he needed. St. Brown has it. But can he KEEP IT? Will Moore turn it on like Adams? A-Rod established eye contact to say just that, after his first catch. It's obvious the packers want big and speed. Who regresses gets cut! And that goes for Allison, Kumerow and Cobb. The injury game shouldn't be played with Wrs. They need them to make this offense go. Good Luck to them All.
Roadrunner23
October 17, 2018 at 07:13 pm
T.O. dropped a bunch of passes his first season and against the Packers in that playoff game, he finally got it.
Adams had the drops his second year and everyone wanted him cut.
Lets give this kid Moore a chance, he has playmaker written all over him.
MVS and EQ, yeah we good there!
Go Pack!!
NickPerry
October 18, 2018 at 04:11 am
"T.O. dropped a bunch of passes his first season and against the Packers in that playoff game, he finally got it."
Are you talking about the playoff game where Jerry Rice CLEARLY fumbled he ball a few plays before "The Catch II", the Packers clearly recovered, but the refs somehow missed this? To this day when the replay that game I have to turn it off.
I know, I know let it go!
Chuck Farley
October 17, 2018 at 07:33 pm
Mvs, st brown, moore weren't supposed to play. They were practice squad babies. Cobb, Allison Adams were mikes pets. Pack should trade one of these guys for picks. Way too many of them not enough balls to go around.
JonathanSpader
October 18, 2018 at 10:15 am
Doubt we can trade Cobb due to his price tag. Allison would be the most likely one to be traded IMO. I like his floor but I think he's already at his ceiling. Dallas would be a good place for him.
Bure9620
October 17, 2018 at 08:13 pm
Really like MVS and EQ. I actually always thought St. Brown had the biggest upside of the 3, and still believe so. He is a smooth linear athlete. Once he refines his route running he will be a big problem for defenses. I was really surprised he was available in the 6th round, he could really end up being a steal.
I Like MVS a lot and his ability after catch. He can get downfield quickly too. Not giving up on Moore, but he has a hill to climb. If 2 of the 3 pan out, thats a win. Its pretty clear these guys make Cobb expendable this offseason. He okay but NOT a $12.7 receiver.
PatrickGB
October 17, 2018 at 09:32 pm
Gmo has studied and worked hard at improving even with less than stellar athleticism. Cobb knows what Aaron likes and expects. And Adams has that quick twitch basketball move off the line and into his routes. The rookies have size and speed. They look like, at least two of them, may be in the teams future. Speed and size on the boundaries are what made Jordy special in his heyday and the rookies have that.
fastmoving
October 18, 2018 at 06:03 am
but Jordy needed 3 years to show it. dont know if the rookies need that much time.....
dobber
October 18, 2018 at 07:39 am
Nelson was a technician and a student of the game. It took time. He knew the offense, he could set up DBs and was a very good (if not outstanding) route runner. This made him faster on the field than he timed. He wasn't a burner by any means.
4thand1
October 18, 2018 at 08:19 am
Jordy was pretty dam fast Dobber. I remember G Jennings saying in an interview," Jordy is fast for a white boy". The time he and AR had together was perfect for being on the same page.
dobber
October 18, 2018 at 10:27 am
His combine time was a 4.51, which is pretty nondescript for WR. He played faster than that, though, and part of that was his smarts and technique.
JonathanSpader
October 18, 2018 at 03:42 pm
Fastmoving did Jordy need 3 years or did he have to wait 3 years before he got his opportunity? Rookies WRs could be in the same boat. The difference is injuries gave them opportunities early.
Skip greenBayless
October 18, 2018 at 04:13 pm
Jordy definitely needed 3 years until it clicked and it actually started to click in the playoffs on the way to the super bowl. By next season he was dominant. Greg Jennings was a guy who "got it" immediately in training camp his rookie season. Some guys just take longer than others. Jordy was a late bloomer. These two rookies MVS and ESB are definitely not in Greg Jennings territory but they are not in Jordy rookie terristory either. Some where in the middle which means they can play and play well at times while still making some mistakes. That's how I view those two.
Thegreatreynoldo
October 18, 2018 at 09:14 pm
Jordy would have started for a lot of teams as early as 2009. He didn't have volume but his efficiency was very good with a 71% catch rate, a 14.5 yard per reception average, and 10.32 yards/target in 2009.
Jennings started by default or he and his 43.3% catch rate (6.08 yds/target) would have been buried. GB had Driver, Ruvell Martin (rookie), Robert Ferguson (played just 4 games) and Koren Robinson (also played just 4 games).
I've been writing this for years now. Just my opinion.
Tundraboy
October 18, 2018 at 12:58 am
Their performances and time gained with Rodgers was huge and invaluable. Would never have happened without Allison and Cobb out,. But at least we didn't have to wait til much later to find out what they could add to this offense.Nice draft.
RCPackerFan
October 18, 2018 at 06:30 am
I really, really like the rookie WR's.
All 3 bring size and speed.
MVS is clearly ahead of the 3 rookies. If he can continue to gain more and more of Rodgers trust, and cut down on the mental mistakes. Watch out.
There was one throw in the game that I think gained Rodgers trust even more. That was the one down the right sideline. MVS was not open. Rodgers underthrew it and MVS came back around the defender making the catch.
St Brown continues to improve and gain Rodgers trust as well. When the game was on the line the WR that perhaps made the biggest catch was St. Brown. That come back, twisting his body catching the ball cleanly and getting his feet in bounds was a thing of Beauty.
I hope these 2 guys keep getting a lot of playing time even when Allison and Cobb come back.
Moore finally made his first catch of the season. He has been getting more and more playing time as of late.
While these guys won't be finished products this year, I really like what we have seen so far.
MVS and EQ I think we can safely say are the real deal.
JonathanSpader
October 18, 2018 at 10:30 am
I loved ESB's sideline catch but I see him replacing Jordy in the slot. He just looked really comfortable there in preseason. I think part of that was being reunited with Kizer. Looking back on the trade I wish we had Randall at safety over Brice. Too soon to tell longterm if this trade was a good or bad move.
4thand1
October 18, 2018 at 08:25 am
The WR position is the biggest strength for depth on this team. RB is good too. That's 2 less areas to worry about in next years draft.
ILPackerBacker
October 18, 2018 at 11:48 am
Had the chance and passed it up, a trade for any pick would have been worth while.
"... according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Packers aren't actively shopping Cobb, but teams have "checked on" the former Pro Bowl receiver to see if the Packers are interested to trade him. "
cpheph1
October 18, 2018 at 07:14 pm
I think Gute & staff did well drafting MVS & EQ as lottery picks (i.e., day three picks)...not so sure about J'Mon though but there's four years remaining on his contract so no big deal.
You said: "In a surprising move to most, the Packers spent three of their selections on wide receivers in the later rounds of the draft in rounds five, six and seven."
I guess I didn't see that poll regarding "...surprising move to most..." but whatever. Guess I was in the minority because I was not surprised by drafting three WRs. Btw, J'Mon was 4th round, MVS 5th, & EQ 6th rounds respectively...just providing you the facts.
"...weeks following the bye are the potential returns of both Jake Kumerow and Trevor Davis, who were put on injured reserve after making the initial 53-man roster and making them eligible for a potential return to the roster this season."
Yeah...the potential is there because they're (from what I've read in here) the only two elligible to return from IR. I can envision Trevor Davis being activated and somebody like Morrison or Korey Toomer being cut...or maybe Tony Brown (but he's fast as hell and really quick too and you can't teach speed or quickness).
Your last paragraph is spot-on IMO. I love Chippewa Falls, WI & Eau Claire. Go Pack Go