Should the Packers Pursue a Veteran Receiver?
How aggressive do the Packers want to be in upgrading the wide receiver room?
By markoldacres
After Green Bay’s offense sputtered in the final weeks of the 2024 campaign, they now enter the offseason looking for answers.
The wide receiver position has come into focus, as a talented, young group did not kick on in their second year together, as many hoped they would.
Christian Watson’s late-season knee injury has cast further doubt as to whether the Packers have what they need at wide receiver ahead of a pivotal 2025 season. They struggled to create explosive plays without Watson in the lineup.
This has led to plenty of discussion around adding a veteran receiver to the room this offseason. Is this something Green Bay should be considering?
It may well come down to the recovery timetable for Watson, who at first was feared to have suffered additional damage other than just a torn ACL, before Watson’s father seemed to imply it was more of a clean injury on X, formerly known as Twitter.
If Watson starts the season on injured reserve, the Packers will enter the season with four guys they can trust, barring any significant additions in the draft: Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, and Bo Melton.
In that scenario, they would appear to have room for another receiver, dropping Melton back down to WR5. But if Watson’s timeline for a return is more optimistic, acquiring a high profile receiver could create a logjam at the position.
Would there be any interest from other teams around the league in trading for a Doubs? If not, would the Packers be willing to cut Bo Melton if it came to it?
Rather than adding another piece, do they instead just count on improvement from within?
Reed and Wicks have the talent to take a step in year three, and there were mitigating factors which could have contributed to the stalling of their development this season, such as Jordan Love’s various injuries and Matt LaFleur pivoting the offense to be more run-centric.
If they do decide to look for veteran help, there are a couple of options, and more could come via salary cap casualties.
Arguably the prize asset of the entire free agency class is Tee Higgins, who is set to hit the market after five years in Cincinnati, although the Bengals could still franchise tag him, or try to come to a long-term agreement before he hits the open market.
Higgins has played second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase during his career so far, but has the skills to be the top weapon on a contending team. He has battled injuries of late, but still recorded the best PFF grade of his career in 2024, ranking sixth among all wide receivers.
At 6 '4', 219 lbs, he would replicate the size Watson provides, although he would not bring the same field stretching speed.
Higgins has spoken in the past about expecting the Packers to draft him in the first round back in 2020, when they instead selected Jordan Love, and he fits the mold of the types of free agents Brian Gutekunst likes to go after.
Like Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney a year ago, Higgins is a second contract player, having only just turned 26, and it would be rare for a player of his quality to hit the market.
Gutekunst has also shown a willingness to throw athletic testing out of the window once a player has proven their quality in the league.
With Relative Athletic Scores (RAS) of 5.65 and 5.82 out of a possible 10, Jacobs and McKinney are not players the Packers were likely to select in the first-and-second rounds, where they were ultimately selected, as they covet top end athleticism in their premium picks.
Za’Darius Smith (3.73 RAS) is another example of Gutekunst not caring about pre-draft testing once a player has proven themselves in the NFL. The Packers were never likely to take Higgins in the first round after he posted a 4.12 RAS, but that would not matter now.
The catch? If Higgins does become a free agent, he is going to get P.A.I.D by whoever signs him.
PFF is currently projecting the receiver for a contract worth $28m per year, which is just $750,000 less than the Packers are paying Jacobs and McKinney combined. If Green Bay goes all out for Higgins, it might be the only move they make of note in free agency.
The next best option who is currently set to be a free agent might be Amari Cooper, who had a strange season which included an unusually high drop rate, a trade to the Bills which has not proven especially productive, and his lowest PFF grade since 2018.
He has shown himself to be a high quality receiver in the past however, and is used to playing in the cold having been in Cleveland and Buffalo in recent seasons. Could the Packers bet on Cooper, who will turn 31 before the 2025 season, having a bounceback year?
Two players who could be cut for salary cap reasons, Davante Adams and Christian Kirk, could provide other viable options.
Adams would certainly be welcomed back to Green Bay by the fanbase, and should be able to fit seamlessly back into LaFleur’s offense. As well as still being a quality receiver, he would add real experience and be a role model to the younger wideouts in the room.
He left the door open to a return to the Packers in a recent interview with Kay Adams, and if the 32-year-old would accept a one-year deal, it could make sense.
Adams’ PFF grade has dropped from 90.1 to 75.8 over the last two seasons, indicating he could be in decline, but substandard quarterback play in Las Vegas, and whatever was happening in New York last season, will certainly have played their part.
Kirk has never been a truly great receiver, despite the Jaguars paying him like one, and has primarily operated from the slot, but he could add some deep speed and could also be cheap as he recovers from an injury suffered against the Packers this season.
Then there are the pie in the sky options, like trading for Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson, who may want out of their less than ideal situations entering the last year of their rookie deals. Is Gutekunst going to be willing to give up draft capital and shell out a contract? Don’t count on it.
It is not a straightforward decision, and frankly, if Watson had not suffered a serious knee injury, this would probably not even be a point of discussion.
The most likely conclusion is that the Packers back their current group to improve in 2025, but there are opportunities to augment the wide receiver room if Gutekunst wants to be aggressive.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (98)
T7Steve
January 20, 2025 at 06:41 am
Improve the O-line and the depth of that room, run the ball and draft a couple of receivers. Bringing in free agent receivers unless they'd played for the Packers previously, usually brings the problems with them that caused them to leave their original teams in the first place. If they just want tall, heck, I can run a 4.5-15 yard split every once in a while and am almost 5'-10".
Bitternotsour
January 20, 2025 at 08:44 am
how sensible. i see from your scouting chart that you're contact averse though.
TKWorldWide
January 20, 2025 at 10:12 am
A scintillating ht/wt/speed prospect!
stockholder
January 20, 2025 at 10:35 am
Thats rd 1. No way Gute takes a wr
rd 1. Not this class.
The prizes are later.
T7Steve
January 20, 2025 at 10:41 am
I smart 2.
PeteK
January 20, 2025 at 04:01 pm
The 4 teams left do not have a great WR on their roster, but have good line play on both sides of the ball. So I'm for getting the top CB, maybe Reed , in free agency and drafting another, and then going after C, D lineman.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 06:24 am
Right on Pete….games are won in the trenches. To many think when the WR makes that great catch it’s what wins, but I’d argue it’s normally because the QB has the time to make that great throw. They don’t have the time without a great OL. Of course, the reverse is a great DL to combat that with a pass rush not allowing the QB the time.
stockholder
January 20, 2025 at 06:51 am
No- This WR draft is deeper than most think.
Spend the Money on the trench.
NitschkeFan
January 20, 2025 at 08:20 am
Agree with this. Top tier free agent WR are way overpaid. If Davante is willing to come back on a reasonable salary with maybe only 1 or 2 years guaranteed, then OK consider it. But he hasn't been cut by the Jets yet has he?
Draft a couple of WR and use the free agent money on some combo of IOL (there are some quality guards or centers available), CB, Edge.
Must improve the CB room somehow.
stockholder
January 20, 2025 at 10:10 am
If Alexander goes -
Your first two picks might be CB.
I have several WRs late, the packers
could take.
My top sleeper is Ricky White UNLV.
My back up to Reed is Jaylon Noels.
My replacement for Watson is J. Royals Rd 2
I believe all will be playing in the Bowls.
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 01:12 pm
You hit on something important: BG loves these "senior bowl", week-long scouting exercises.
PeteK
January 20, 2025 at 04:38 pm
We keep Alexander, cut him next season, less hit on the cap. I think he will be good this year especially if we can give him a breather as we will have a good free agent and rookie .
Ferrari-Driver
January 21, 2025 at 10:44 am
I think stockholder's account may have been hacked.
joejetson
January 20, 2025 at 06:16 pm
For once, agree with Stockholder.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 06:25 am
Damn Stockholder, that’s the most intelligent post I’ve ever seen you put out here.
Dragon5
January 20, 2025 at 06:52 am
Even if Watson were to return late in the season, for a player no stranger to injury you're risking his career in a Bahktiari 2.0. Doubs, like Tua and Olave, may unfortunately be a concussion away from missing a season or retiring.
The catch 22 is that it won't matter who is acquired if Love doesn't improve his mechanics and decision making. If he can, however, make those corrections and utilize his legs more often to move the chains, then he should be able to elevate our receiving corps without breaking the bank in FA.
GregC
January 20, 2025 at 07:10 am
This is the first time in many years I've thought the Packers should consider bringing in a veteran receiver. They need an impact player at the position, and the only alternative is to find one high in the draft. Tee Higgins will probably be too expensive, so maybe they could make a run at one of those other guys. I wonder why Amari Cooper has become an afterthought in Buffalo. He's 30 years old, and maybe he's in decline. Strange to say, Davante Adams actually makes some sense to me. Maybe someone else will become available later in the offseason.
The current group is clearly not cutting it. Christian Watson was looking like the only one who might be a difference-maker, then he blew out his knee heading into his contract year. It's far from certain he will be a really good player anyway. The Packers should plan as if he won't be on the team anymore. If they get something out of him at the end of the 2025 season, that's a bonus. I don't care if there's a "logjam" at wide receiver. It was easily the most disappointing position group on the team in 2024. The committee approach was a failure because they just aren't good enough. Put a go-to guy in the mix and let the others compete for supporting roles.
NickPerry
January 20, 2025 at 07:23 am
As much as I'd love to see Tee Higgin's wearing a Packers jersey in 2025, I think $28 million a year is a little steep. That little tidbit about Higgin's at $28 million is more than what Jacobs and McKinney made last season COMBINED was the icing on the cake for me.
The Packers need help at CB, DE/Pass Rusher, and O-Line. They NEED a WR but not at that cost. If that was to happen and Gute did actually sign him, I'm not going to hate it either.
This particular group of WR's the Packers currently have on the roster is not enough to get it done. This coming from the "Homer" or Homers who can usually talk himself into loving anyone wearing the G&G.
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 08:07 am
Remember that a Higgins contract--and most big contracts of this sort--is likely to be pretty cap friendly (at least, nowhere near the $28M cap hit projected) during the first couple years before it blows up...and most of the time, those players either get cut or restructured to alleviate that pain.
NickPerry
January 20, 2025 at 08:42 am
You're absolutely right about that dobber...I'm curious, would you be in favor of a Tee Higgins signing?
Personally I have no interest in a player like Amari Cooper for example, not now.
Coldworld
January 20, 2025 at 10:54 am
Higgins is at least big, but he’s not particularly fast or sudden. He’s also not played more than 12 games the last two years. He’s never eclipsed 1100 yards. Would he be a good signing in isolation? Maybe, but he’s not nearly the athlete Watson is. He’s a big X, great against press, but he’s not going to take the top off a D one in one. He does have good hands, if you can get him deep one on one, the he’s a big target there and in the end zone.
I don’t see him as an ideal #1. I see him as a great #2 with some durability questions. I would not pay him a mega contract if that’s where his market is at.
I’d rather draft a guy like McMillan, Royals, Shepherd, Thornton Jr, Felton. The first two may go early, but it’s way too early to tell either way with WRs really, but all could provide similar potential and are all 6’4 or so. There are some others, those are just a few potential size/deep threat options to develop. If it’s one of the more development types, I’d look at MVS as a bridge while developing him unless we think a lot of Cornelius Johnson held over in the PS).
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 01:48 pm
They had a very different offensive identity in 2024 than 2023. The Packers need to decide who they're going to be and then they need to get the pieces to make sure they can make that happen...which includes depth pieces for roster security.
Whatever the case, they need a true field-stretcher. Is Jayden Reed that guy? He can't do everything...right? And they need a guy who can contribute right away--if the answer is hoping to draft a guy in rounds 3-5 who's going to be your savior, you better be damn sure you're right or you might close your window on offense without even giving yourself a chance. I'm not sure Higgins gives you the diversity in your WR group you're looking for, so sinking the money into Higgins probably is accompanied by another move for a downfield guy at some point this off-season.
We're going to see other veteran WR hit the open market, yet, that aren't listed anywhere or that we're not expecting. Some will get cut because their contracts are too big...some because they've been made expendable by other signings or draft picks. Some could be had by trade just to take them off someone else's hands...I thought about 6 months ago that the Packers would be dealing a WR at some point just to make sure they got reasonable value for them rather than letting them walk.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 06:30 am
Dobber, regardless if you move the cap down the road it still needs to get paid. It’s not an infinite number, so if you pay BIG for a WR that means you cannot spend money on other position or keep some of your up and comer players. Not that it matters, but my opinion and fortunately it has mirrored what the Packers have historically done is not to pay big dollars to WR’s, especially one that wasn’t developed by them.
Bitternotsour
January 20, 2025 at 08:49 am
28 million, and this past year the wide receiver room COMBINED had an 11.8 million dollar cap hit. gotta balance the books somewhere, might as well be with young receivers.
Younger, faster, cheaper.
egbertsouse
January 20, 2025 at 07:29 am
I love how the Packer media are quoting Watson’s father on medical opinions. Why don’t you just get a quote from Joe Rogan? Or better yet, LaVar Ball.
Packers0808
January 20, 2025 at 07:59 am
Or Aaron Rodgers!
Bitternotsour
January 20, 2025 at 08:50 am
Watson's father at least is privy to his son's medical.
Coldworld
January 20, 2025 at 11:12 am
It’s up to the player to release medical information, not the team. Once the player or his representatives (here father) make it public, the team could signal disagreement, if it felt it necessary. There’s nothing very surprising in what his father says anyway. He likely won’t be himself next year even on that timeline.
Handsback
January 20, 2025 at 07:42 am
To me the Packer's passing game was very disjointed this season. They had a battering-ram RB and a TE that showed he could make a difference. Somehow neither really made the impact they should have this past season. Blame Love, WR drops, play calling, or even the injury to Love...wherever the blame lies, getting a high priced FA receiver won't change the picture. It will help, but the other issues won't be going away.
I agree with stockholder and T7Steve in that there are some good receivers in the draft and concentrate on making the line better. The Eagles and Lions showed what a good Oline opens up in your offense. The next question is if MLF believes the offense is good enough or does he need to make a change in the OC?
One last thought on receivers....Vic used to say they were a dime a dozen. I think GB will test that theory this next season.
Just MHO
Since'75
January 20, 2025 at 08:14 am
I thought the O line did ok considering.
I want Josh Meyers gone yesterday, but that's just me.
At left tackle, for a 7th round pick, Walker has played ok.
He had some penalties, gave up a few sacks, but overall is a pretty good pass blocker.
Would i replace him? You bet, but i'd want to keep Walker as a back up, ideally.
To me, Walker is a tweaner between starting, and a back up.
As far as Jordan Morgan, idfk....but we need to hit on a 1st round pick in the draft one of these years.
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 02:17 pm
"Would i replace him? You bet, but i'd want to keep Walker as a back up, ideally."
When you take a guy off the field and replace him with someone better, you get better. Within the next 14 months, someone is going to pay Walker to be their starter...likely at LT. He's not going to sign a backup contract in GB....they could demote him for a year if they sign/draft a guy they like better, but this plan likely means he's got one more year in town---which might be true anyway.
Since'75
January 26, 2025 at 04:10 pm
Walker is what he is.
Maybe Morgan is going to step up, idk.
It would be nice to for one of our 1st round picks to step up.
Yea, i don't know, i lost my crystal ball to read the future.
But hey, can i get the winning powerball numbers for Wed's drawing?
Since'75
January 20, 2025 at 08:01 am
I can't believe i'm reading this.
All i've heard the past 3 years is how great and deep our receiver room is.
All i heard is the hype, and what a genius Gute was for acquiring all this talent.
There is some skill there to be sure when players are available, or don't disappear for stretches at a time.
I do like Reed and Kraft, those two i'd keep, and Doubs as a #3 i guess, although some view him as a #2, i'd be on board with that if he was more consistent.
I like Wicks, especially when he flashes, but he has a woeful catch rate, somewhat like Watson.
With Watson, i view him as a MVS type, albeit a little better route runner.
He's a luxury to have because of his speed, but he isn't a guy your going to pay NFL starting money to.
All in all Gute has drafted 14 wr's and te's.
Musgrave (so far) seems to have been a wasted pick.
I like Higgins, but do you want to pay a guy elite money that isn't always available?
The time to get Higgins or another receiver, was back in the 2020 draft when it was dripping with wide receiver talent.
We were on the cusp of a Super Bowl appearance back then. It could have made a big difference at the time
If we're going to be honest, the Packers have been trying to find a #1 receiver ever since they showed Jordy Nelson the door, and we're still waiting.
T7Steve
January 20, 2025 at 08:12 am
I bet they could get MVS for a season while Watson recuperates, for that matter. I bet he played on the cheap for the Saints this year. He's a good field stretcher even if he doesn't always catch the ball. Don't know if he's lost a step, but maybe that's why KC let him walk.
Since'75
January 20, 2025 at 08:34 am
I think KC signed MVS in panic mode when they lost Tyreek Hill. MVS wasn't worth 30 million. But good for him for getting it.
Saints picked up MVS when the Bills dumped him.
They may want to resign him, as MVS had a good 8 game stint with the Saints for the league minimum.
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 01:09 pm
Buffalo was the last team to let him go. If I had to speculate, I think KC cut his contract because they knew that--after Kelce--their WRs and RBs were mostly secondary receivers elevated by a generational QB...so why pay him? He was still pretty much the same guy with the Saints as he was everywhere else, IMO--go long, low catch rate. I think I'd read his blocking has gotten better.
I agree that he could be that stop-gap field-stretcher while they get the position figured out longer term and he won't cost much (Buffalo had him on a 1-year 2.25M contract).
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 08:12 am
"I can't believe i'm reading this."
I can, and it's actually a good thing. 12 months ago, they were looking at a bunch of pieces flashing in an offense that featured the pass more. They've got more data now. It means that there's likely to be some coming to terms with projection v. production. We're moving out of the projection phase on Reed and Wicks and Doubs, and into the "what do these guys actually do?" phase.
"If we're going to be honest, the Packers have been trying to find a #1 receiver"
You meant to say Davante Adams, right?
Since'75
January 20, 2025 at 08:47 am
Yea....my bad.
Jordy was #1 until Brett Hundley started, and Hundley couldn't throw across the field to Nelson as Hundley was always rolling right, so he dinked and dunked to Adams, until he got exposed as someone who didn't belong in the NFL.
I should have said they haven't been able to replace Nelson, since he left.
Not that Gute didn't try, he signed Martellus Bennett a day or two after Nelson left, giving him Nelsons 10 million and making Bennett the NFL's highest paid tight end.
Well, we all saw what a train wreck that became.
Coldworld
January 20, 2025 at 11:23 am
Bennet was signed in an apparent knee-jerk response to Ball cutting off negotiations with Jared Cook, whom he clearly fell out with and who then signed for less elsewhere and was much better. It had nothing to do with Nelson, who was not the player he had been by 2017. He played one more year, 2018, in Oakland and retired when they essentially decided to move on too.
Since'75
January 26, 2025 at 03:59 pm
Well, credit due CW, i'm impressed you knew about the Jared Cook negotiation.
OK, Bennett was signed like 1 or 2 days after Nelson was shown the door.
Maybe it was knee jerk, i call it desperation.
Bennett was a problem child, and everyone knew it from his time with the Bears.
But Gute, Murphy and Ball made Bennett the highest paid tight end in the league.
CW.....when did Nelson, 'lose a step' or was on a decline?
When Brett Hundley came in to start?
You remember Hundley, the pre season MVP in 2015.
The first 5 games of the 2017 season Nelson caught 6 TD passes (from Rodgers).
I don't know 😏, but i'm pretty sure, that is 'elite'.
In 2016, after ACL surgery, all Nelson did was lead the league in TD catches (14)
That's not elite to you?
Then, all of a sudden...Hundley comes in, and everyone says Nelson was washed up....lol
Let me educate you about why Nelson retired, he didn't want to move his family again.
That is what HE said.
Maybe you think he's lying, idk. I don't
Or more likely, maybe you just don't know what you're talking about.
And lets be real, this is the Raiders, not exactly a franchise who makes a lot of smart roster moves.
Make no mistake.
Rodgers and Nelson together, were a TD machine.
They most likely still would have been in 2018 when Gute let Nelson go.
No reason to think they wouldn't have been.
But no fear...the Packers picked up Martellus Bennett
You guys kill me sometimes....lol
GregC
January 20, 2025 at 08:22 am
Well, I thought they looked like a good up and coming group of WRs coming into 2024. Those who had a lower opinion are looking correct now, although I will say that my high expectations were based on perceived potential. Clearly those expectations need to be adjusted now. I don't think we can just roll with the guys we have. What do YOU think the team should do?
Since'75
January 20, 2025 at 08:56 am
I don't know.
But i can tell you what i would have done in 2020.
I'm trading up for a receiver in the first round, without question.
Kind of what we all thought they'd do at the time.
PhantomII
January 20, 2025 at 03:56 pm
Moving ahead of Vikings for Jefferson was the one....2 Super Bowls lost...Ugg.
Since'75
January 26, 2025 at 03:26 pm
Gute was obsessed with Jordan Love going into that 2020 draft.
Gute and a scout hopped on a plane to go watch Love play against LSU on Oct 5th 2019.
After that game, a coach was contacted by Gute, asking about Love.
He said it was a long conversation and noted that it was weird because teams weren't contacted about players much at that time of the season.
Love himself insinuated that he knew the Packers were picking him, when asked after the draft.
Go back and look at Love as he was picked, Love and the others around him didn't react much when the Packers picked him. A giveaway that he did know.
Go look at Rashan Gary when picked. He knew he won the lottery and reacted as such.
I don't expect any of the thumbs down crowd to know ANY of that because that would entail having....knowledge.
Since'75
January 26, 2025 at 03:12 pm
LOL
ATTN: Thumbs down crowd
Back then, Green Bay was on the cusp of going to the Super Bowl.
So, we ALL thought the Packers were going receiver in the 1st round in 2020 (to help the current team).
Gute had a different plan, draft for the future and pick a 1st round player to sit on the bench for 3 years. What did that get us?
1-2 in the playoffs, and and the 2nd highest paid QB in the league.
How is that working out?
Keep me posted.
Now, what are the Packer fans talking about...getting a #1 receiver, right?
Put the kool aid and the cheetos down.
Thinking...isn't overrated.
* If your mind has gone completely blank, simply click the thumbs down, we understand.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 06:39 am
Greg, I’m not saying your one of them, but some where touting as the best WR group in the NFL….I disagreed vehemently. Potential yes, but that doesn’t make you the best by any stretch. Many have recency bias and don’t look at the big picture and just post what they see at the time. Yes, many players improve greatly in their beginning years as well as many regress. History will repeat itself over and over. All you have to do is remember history to know they weren’t best, but maybe just really good potential.
Packers0808
January 20, 2025 at 08:02 am
Watson out extended period and who knows the way Doubs got hit and looked and now two SERIOUS concussions will he ever even play again. He also seems to be with the suspension kind of a head case. WR is definitely not only a need but a must!
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 08:24 am
Lots of ways to address pass-catchers and if they're serious about focusing on the run (without a running QB) then 12 personnel and featuring Musgrave and Kraft makes a lot of sense. Look hard at the Pats 2011-12 seasons with Gronk and Hernandez catching a ton of passes, an elusive slot (Welker) and a good-enough deep threat (Branch). They didn't have a back of the quality of Jacobs either (they had the law firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis). Am I saying that Kraft, Musgrave, and Reed are that quality? Heck, no--and Welker is one of the best slots ever--but that's a starting point, if they choose to commit to it.
Lots of ways to go about handling the skill positions and the first is to beef up the lines and be proactive about finding your replacements for the OL that's about to turn over a couple spots. We have to remember, too, that they are the youngest team in the league, which means they'll have hard decisions to make on contracts pretty quick--the Lions are already there--and have to tie up valuable cap space signing some of their own. They need to identify traits and skill sets they lack in the WR corps and be intentional in how they fill them....maybe it's a high-end signing, or maybe it's a lesser guy who's more role specific. Either way, I think they need to be intentional about drafting a second piece that helps to make that skill set redundant in case of injury, or to develop in case the signee becomes a cap issue in the not-so-long term.
ricky
January 20, 2025 at 08:34 am
Higgins not only has a top five QB throwing him the ball, he has a top 5-10 WR on the other side to draw coverage away from him. Would he be as effective without those factors? Cooper showed he is nearing the end of his career. So, why would the Packers want to sign a guy who is an older version of Wicks (has trouble getting open, has a lot of drops)? Add in that nowhere are the TE's mentioned. Kraft has shown the ability to get open and go for YAC. Musgrave is coming off an injury, and if he's healthy, the team could feature two TE sets on a regular basis.
And for those who keep demanding a WR #1 for the team, look at KC. Just like Brady, Mahones is doing fine with mediocre WR's (yes, Moss was with the team a few years, but they didn't win a SB with him on the team) and an outstanding TE.
The key will be if LaFleur can become more creative and less predictable next season. And, of course, if for once the Packers (especially Love) can get off to a good start. In both a winning record early, and not falling behind in games while constantly making stupid mistakes. We all know the problems the team faces, and the idea that getting a veteran WR will solve everything is silly.
GregC
January 20, 2025 at 03:00 pm
Nobody is saying that a veteran receiver will solve everything. But the failure of our receivers to consistently get open and catch the ball when it is thrown to them is one of our team's biggest problems, and it needs to be addressed.
As for Tee Higgins, you may be right that he looks better because of the quality of his QB and Jamaar Chase drawing coverage away from him. But it's also possible that Higgins' numbers would be better if Chase wasn't the main focus of the Bengals' offense. Also, Chase may be benefiting from the presence of Higgins. I haven't looked into it yet.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 06:58 am
Even if you think or for that matter GB thinks Higgins can do it on his own, what if he doesn’t and you’re stuck with the big contract. That’s a big risk on a position that normally doesn’t make the difference in making it to a SB. Of course, other than QB no position does, but I’d bet on building the trenches than a WR.
NFLfan
January 20, 2025 at 08:36 am
I would invest in better positional coaching first. Why are WR's droppping so many balls, not able to keep their feet in bounds @ a critical moment (Heath), don't know how to take advantage of their match-up's with opposing DB's?
That's coaching.
I would insist on better mechanics/footwork/decision-making by Love when the pocket collapses-a stellar QB coach could insist on improvement.
Draft 2-3 competent O-Lmen and insist that OL improves fundamentals and footwork--better coaching, once again. All QBs respond well stronger, reliable protection. Mike Wahle has repeatedly pointed the poor OL footwork and fundamentals
If a team doesn't have enough star players, strong coaching becomes imperative. It increases discipline and accountability.
Perhaps draft a WR or a reliable mid-priced FA after coaching improves.
I listened to several interviews of Aaron Whitecotton, the Jets DL coach (hopeful GB DL coach) and I was incredibly impressed. He was steady, personable, knowledgeable but one could feel the underlying intensity. Hafley is the same---How long will Hafley want to carry the under-performing Offense?
RCPackerFan
January 20, 2025 at 09:31 am
No matter how they do it they have to improve the top end of our WR room. Whether thats draft or free agency. They have to upgrade the position. Its time to have a hard look at the position that we currently have.
If I was the GM (i'm glad I'm not), these are the real things that I'm going to look at to plan for next year.
Watson -
He will be done for at least half the season, and it will take him time to get back going, Which will likely be end of season. And that is without any type of set back. At this point we really can't count on him contributing. And if he does that is a bonus.
Doubs -
He is a major question mark imo. He had 2 bad concussions this year. 2 in 1 year is an issue in todays football. Also, before all that he just didn't show up to practice and had that issue. Maybe that is all good now, but still a red flag. From the outside looking in and without any knowledge of what is going on with him, I have a hard time trusting he will be there. I hate to say that because I really like him. But if I'm planning the future, I don't plan for him to be there.
Also, when we look at his production, its not great overall. He has had exactly 1 game that he went over 100 yards in his career. That was last year in the playoffs. In comparison Bo Melton has the same number of 100 yard games as Doubs. Melton has 24 career receptions and Doubs has 147.
Wicks -
Wicks to this point hasn't been consistent enough to be considered a 1 or 2 WR. Right now he is a 3 or 4 WR. Now he has the talent to be a 1 or 2. At this point though he hasn't shown enough consistency catching the ball to be reach that point. I thought Wicks started to find the consistency later in the year more. He started catching the ball with his hands more rather then letting the ball into his body. I think most of his drops have been a concentration kind of thing. He has the ability to get open easily and beat man coverage. He just has to catch the ball.
Reed -
Reed is currently the number 1 WR. He is the swiss army knife of our offense. He does everything. He can win deep, he can be the gadget player, He can be the slot or outside. He does everything. He has the production as well. This year he did have a drop issue. Which hopefully that is just a 2nd year slump kind of thing. But he is one of our top WR's and will be for the foreseeable future.
Comparison: I thought this was an interesting comparison among the 4 WR's.
I found a website that credited players with targets, catchable passes and drops.
2023:
Reed - 94 targets. 67 catchable passes. 64 receptions. 3 drops
Doubs - 96 targets. 64 catchable passes. 59 receptions. 6 drops
Wicks - 58 targets. 42 catchable passes. 39 receptions. 3 drops
Watson - 53 targets. 31 catchable passes. 28 receptions. 3 drops
2024:
Reed - 75 targets. 64 catchable passes. 55 receptions. 9 drops
Doubs - 72 targets. 53 catchable passes. 46 receptions. 7 drops
Wicks - 76 targets. 48 catchable passes. 39 receptions. 9 drops
Watson - 53 targets. 31 catchable passes. 29 receptions. 2 drops
total:
Reed - 169 targets. 131 catchable passes. 119 receptions. 12 drops
Doubs - 136 targets. 117 catchable passes. 105 receptions. 13 drops
Wicks - 134 targets. 90 catchable passes. 78 receptions. 12 drops
Watson - 106 targets. 62 catchable passes. 57 receptions. 5 drops
Now taking those numbers and comparing stats. For their careers thus far, they have had this many games of 75-100 yard reception games.
Reed - 5
Doubs - 4
Wicks - 3
Watson - 2
For their careers thus far, they have had this many games of 100+ yard reception games.
Watson - 5
Reed - 4
Doubs - 1
Wicks - 0
For their careers thus far, they have had this many receiving touchdowns.
Reed (2 years) - 14 (3 rushing TD's additionally)
Watson (3 years) - 14 (2 rushing TD's additionally)
Doubs (3 years) - 15
Wicks (2 years) - 9
Take what you want from the numbers part of it, but its really interesting when you put them all on paper and compare them.
Based on what I see from the numbers it feels like Watson deserved a lot more passes to go his way compared to Wicks and Doubs. What the numbers are telling me is that Reed and Watson are our WR 1 and 2. Doubs and Wicks are our WR 3 and 4. With Watson missing most of next year we need another WR 1/2 type. Whether its in FA or draft, we need to upgrade the position.
T7Steve
January 20, 2025 at 09:49 am
Now, if we could only work in the TEs on a consistent basis, those numbers (thanks for those) would all go up. Ignore the TEs or them having to stay in to help protect and the opposing Ds don't have to worry much.
RCPackerFan
January 20, 2025 at 10:38 am
For a comparison with Tucker Kraft.
2024
70 targets. 55 catchable passes. 50 receptions. 5 drops.
2023
40 targets. 31 catchable passes. 31 receptions. 0 drops.
For production
2024 - 50 receptions, 707 yards, 14.1 average, 7 TD's.
2023 - 31 receptions, 355 yards, 11.5 average, 2 TD's.
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 01:23 pm
RC, I get crap slung at me every year for mentioning that we don't throw to the TE very much, averaging about 110-ish targets/year. That hasn't changed in a long, long time.
Until this year. We only targeted the TE 86 times this season, with 70 of those going to Kraft. That's only 5 targets/game to that spot, which is less than it's been for us in the past. I can only assume it's because we gave it to Jacobs more and we threw fewer passes in general.
My 2 Cents on Kraft is that he was a good player for us this year, playing in every game, getting his man blocked (which helped our run game) and he looks like a decent receiver. I would be inclined to throw it to him a few more times. but not 10 times a game. And if Musgrave can play, then he's going to need the ball sometimes, too.
T7Steve
January 20, 2025 at 01:32 pm
I think they've just barely scratched the surface of what Musgrave can do. I'd sure like to see a full season where they are both healthy and playing together. One an outlet to one side, the other blocking while a back is on the other wing. Tell me that won't cause trouble defending and get you 5 yards min or a throw over the top if they try to defend it.
RCPackerFan
January 20, 2025 at 01:51 pm
I would absolutely love to see more of Kraft and Musgrave together. I think they could form a hell of a duo.
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 02:23 pm
I don't think Musgrave will ever be a true "Y" TE...I think Kraft has a better shot at that. Musgrave seems to be the kind of guy they'll flex out more than anything else, which makes him a jumbo WR.
Coldworld
January 20, 2025 at 04:45 pm
I do not think anyone on the team thinks Musgrave is a potential Y. He’s a move TE/Big WR type. I think he can become a more useful blocker as a move TE. To date he’s really no more than a more than a physical WR. The 3rd TE is seen a block first role it would appear (Fitzgerald, even more so Messiah on the PS).
RCPackerFan
January 20, 2025 at 01:51 pm
My opinion this year we should have had 4 main targets in the passing game as the season wore on. And sprinkled in the others.
Our main targets should have been Watson, Reed, Kraft and Jacobs. Watson had the fewest targets but provided the most production. Reed is right there as is Kraft. And Jacobs should have been the big focal point of the offense. Wicks and Doubs imo are not reliable enough to get the amount of targets they get.
Next year it will obviously change, but as the roster stands right now, Reed, Kraft and Jacobs should be the focal point. Maybe Musgrave earns more. Maybe Wicks takes a step. Maybe Lloyd comes in and becomes a dynamic force. But we need to start focusing on our top targets more then anything.
Coldworld
January 20, 2025 at 04:51 pm
Doubs is perhaps the least physically talented but the one who does the most dirty work and by far the most consistent route runner we have. Wicks might have the most talent, but he’s just not lived up to it because of his catching and inconsistent routes.
Reed needs to be used as a slot primarily. We may need a replacement for both Doubs and Watson now. I like Hicks as a longer term project, but I doubt he’s ready to replace Doubs and im not sure if the team has much more idea how Doubs’ medical path will go than I have. As a result I’d have plan to have another option. That role might be more conducive to a reasonably priced veteran.
Reed is a slot and needs to be primarily used as one, which he largely wasn’t in the second half of this season and no one else was either. When your slot and TE finish the season with an average depth of target of over 10 yards, it’s very likely the O has a problem. This is about more than just talent too.
RCPackerFan
January 20, 2025 at 10:30 am
I have seen a decent amount of talk about Higgins..
So I did a quick comparison for targets, catchable passes, receptions and drops. Found it interesting...
2023 (12 games)
76 targets. 49 catchable passes. 42 receptions. 7 drops
2024 (12 games)
109 targets. 76 catchable passes. 73 receptions. 3 drops
Total (24 games)
185 targets. 125 catchable passes. 115 receptions. 10 drops
Career (70 games)
513 targets. 370 catchable passes. 331 receptions. 31 drops
Average per year for career (5 years)
102.6 targets. 74 catchable passes. 66.2 receptions. 6.2 drops target
I will add his production as well for people to see.
For his career.
70 games. 330 receptions, 4595 yards, 13.9 average. 34 TD's
Now to average out the production and figure out what it would be per year and compare it to the Packers.
I took the average per game, and then averaged out for a 17 game season. This is what Higgins numbers would average out to based on his production.
80.1 receptions, 1115.9 yards, 8.3 TD's.
Now I will compare his average with the Packers 4.
Reed - (33 games) - 61.3 receptions, 850 yards, 7.2 TD's
Doubs - (43 games) - 58.1 receptions, 672.1 yards, 5.9 TD's
Watson - (38 games) - 43.8 receptions, 739.5 yards, 6.3 TD's
Wicks - (32 games) - 41.4 receptions, 529.1 yards, 4.8 TD's
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 01:36 pm
OK, now let's norm them for targets, because none of the Packers are getting 100+ targets on the season, and neither is Higgins if he was on the team.
Then, let's adjust for the 1/3 of a season that Higgins has missed in each of the last two years.
You know what I see after all this adjusting? A guy who gets 5 or 6 targets a game about 12 games a season. Right now, the Top 4 of our passing tree are Reed, Kraft, Doubs, and Wicks. NONE of these guys gets 5 targets a game.
Higgins will come with a price tag around $20M. I'd sooner spend $10M each on two offensive line vets. IMO, we can probably make up for Watson's 33 touches, and even his two TDs. We probably can't duplicate the impact he has on the secondary.
RCPackerFan
January 20, 2025 at 01:56 pm
The way they have targeted 5 players about equally. It wouldn't take much to target one or 2 closer to 100 times.
I don't know how productive Higgins would be in GB's offense. Also he only played in 12 games the last 2 seasons.
I am for going after DL/DE and CB next year. Get those positions fixed. Most OL will cost too much to go after, except for the post June guys. Maybe find some veterans around then. Draft some OL and WR's.
I would consider going after a WR if the price was right.
I think we have 2 guys we need to look at replacing. Watson and Doubs. Maybe Doubs will be back, but 2 bad head injuries in a year, is not a good thing. And I don't think they want to necessarily count on Wicks taking a step. So they definitely need to add to the position.
PhantomII
January 20, 2025 at 03:54 pm
It says Higgins runs 4.56 in the 40. Great height and body control though. I would call him a #2 possession WR who moves the sticks. Not a bad thing to have but probably not worth #1 money, I would like Elite speed and separation, great hands, YAC.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 07:12 am
Good stuff RC….thanks for the info. One thing we don’t know and I think you alluded to it on your previous post is can he do those numbers without a top 3 WR on the field with him? I don’t think GB would consider paying him 28M per.
dobber
January 20, 2025 at 02:00 pm
"Also, when we look at his production, it's not great overall. He has had exactly 1 game that he went over 100 yards in his career."
Doubs has been Love's security blanket much of the last couple years. He's the chain mover and he scores TDs. Is he electric after the catch? No. Is he a burner? No. But mostly he's reliable and makes the routine plays that keep drives alive. His future is in serious doub(t).
They have two roles they really need to be looking at: big-play downfield WR and every-snap security blanket. Wicks could fill the Doubs role. He's had stretches where he's really good...and he has stretches where he couldn't catch norovirus in New Delhi. They've got to be confident that whomever they play in that role can be effective and isn't likely to take a hard hit and leave a hole in the offense for the rest of the season (and, yes, I know it could be anyone any time). I think that if they sign Higgins or bring in Adams, this is where that particular guy will fall.
tobinrote
January 20, 2025 at 09:35 am
Higgins is too expensive; and the draft looks good for receivers as has been noted, but does it matter who we have getting open, when Love throws him grounders?
TheBigCat
January 20, 2025 at 09:45 am
"Wide receiver? Dime a dozen" I suggest they do a better job of improving what they have (route running, catching, match-ups, play calling)
PhantomII
January 20, 2025 at 02:35 pm
Good WR's are not a dime a dozen, good anything are not a dime a dozen. We need great , clutch players to beat the better teams. The coaching of QB1 and WR's was horrid this season though. GPG
NFLfan
January 20, 2025 at 03:32 pm
Yes, coaching was horrid. We should tighten up our fundamentals first-Vrable is not the dude to do that. See what good old fashioned discipline and high quality coaching can do as well as signing another receiver. I have faith in Reed and Doubs as a 2-3. No to the rest, including Watson.
Ben Johnson just hired to the Bears-GB needs to get serious.
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 09:50 am
One of the ways we balance the books is by not paying veteran WRs $15M/year. All our WRs are on rookie deals.
If we get a high$ vet, that salary will constrain us for years. IF we draft a guy on Day 2, like we've done in the past, we'll have him on an affordable rookie deal for four years.....which is just about the extent of the Love window.
We're only throwing 25 passes/game, and some of them go to the TE and RB. Our WRs were fine this season...aside from the drops....until they were all injured at the same time. Doubs and Watson are in their final year and they both have injury histories that would make a person wonder how available they'll be in the future. Reed and Wicks are here for two more years.
I'd be more in favor of drafting a guy on Day 2 than I'd be interested in paying a large sum of money for one vet.
PhantomII
January 20, 2025 at 04:12 pm
We are losing games against good teams for 2 main reasons.
#1 lack of a consistent pass rush- (fix : Elite FA DE , Elite FA DL) , More aggressive Defensive play calling.
#2 lack of Offensive output - (fix: Elite WR1 , WR2 ),..... Better QB1 play, Coaching / game planning, execution.
(OR) do what's cheap...hope everyone takes 2 steps in the right direction, because they took 1 step back this season..
Racingdad
January 20, 2025 at 09:52 am
I would love gb to draft one of the top wr’s in this class, who is that? Matthew golden - maybe the next Jefferson type? Or egbuka - the next oliva/ jsn would be top quality on rookie deal for 4 or 5 years — Cb, dl, etc can be addressed later it’s time for a top wr in gb if they feel they need a cb in first than the wr can be had in 2nd but may not be as high quality ? Not many “ sleepers “ with enough speed to take the top off of defenses In this class - Just my opinion
Packer_Fan
January 20, 2025 at 10:33 am
Either the Packers sign a free agent or draft is ok with me. But don't over pay. Watson may lose a step and I am concerned about Doubs concussion. It didn't look good.
After watching this weekend games, wide receiver's are the least of their worries.
Here is what I think the Pack needs
An aggressive defense that can rush the passer. How about Max Crosby? And Hafley needs to be more aggressive. The winning teams this weekend had these two traits.
And an offense that will take what the defense gives them and be successful. Other than Washington, there were no big passing games for the winning teams. And along with this, good short yardage plays that continue drives. Both Lafleur and Love need to improve here.
And finally, a disciplined team that doesn't commit stupid holding, roughing and procedural penalties.
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 10:55 am
@Packer_Fan........
I don't think need to worry about Watson losing a step. I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn last night, but this guy took a bad leg injury just a few weeks ago.
The best, most recent info is a couple of days ago when our own Wendell Ferreira had an article about Watson being back for Week 12. That would coincide nicely with the post Thanksgiving stretch run..
Ok, here's what the fine print looks like. That's a "normal" recovery, and we're talking about a world class athlete in a contact sport who already has a length injury history. He could injure something else during rehab. Having him back, healthy and able, for the stretch run, isn't a real likely scenario, IMO. The Packers should look at Watson as "extra gravy" for 2025. If he comes back and contributes anything, it's just a bonus.
The Packers need another plan at WR. Doubs is one concussion away from being a retired player. He's 25, he's made over $3M, and he can remember why he walked into a room. That's a win, and if he gets his "bell rung" again, I would hope that he'd make the right choice.
Then we have Reed, who I think is a good WR who had too many drops, which is part of why he didn't get more targets. After that, we have Wicks, who has his own issues, and Melton and Heath. We play 3 WRs quite a bit, carry 6 on the roster, and were playing #4, #5, and #6 in the playoffs.
So yes, the Packers are going to have to get some guys in that room. Fortunately, we've had very good luck getting WRs on Day 2 of the draft. We need to hope that Reed and Wicks both have better seasons next year than they did this year. Production wise, Watson gave us almost 650 yards at 20/yards per touch and 2 TDs. We can replace the 650, and the 2 TDs. That 20 yards/touch stuff is harder to replace, but he only touched it 33 times.
We don't throw that many passes to begin with, throwing only 479 in 17 games, about 28/game. Only Philly and Baltimore threw fewer passes. We could throw more to the TE and RB, but it doesn't address the problem that we have only 3 quality NFL starters at WR right now, and one of them has an injury history and the other two were notably butterfingered this year. That's how we start 2025.
Alberta_Packer
January 20, 2025 at 12:18 pm
The WR group is a conundrum. First, your top end guy (Watson) is essentially unavailable next season. Then arguably your next best wide receiver (Doubs) is somewhat of a 'head case' - with his in-season suspension and multiple concussions (wihich is extremely worrisome). Then you have the durability-challenged Luke Musgrave. But perhaps the greatest question of all is a QB - with a penchant of missing open receivers and throwing into double and triple-coverages.
On the brighter side - there is Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft , D. Wicks, M.Heath , Bo Melton and Josh Jacobs as capable receivers. So there is much to work with here - given a creative game plan and a steady QB.
Still, there appears room for a good veteran WR at a reasonable price. Higgins is out because of the unfavorable price-to-value ratio. However a released D. Adams on a affordable 1-2 year contract may be the best stop-gap solution. In the meantime the Packers draft a Day 2 /Day 3 receiver.
PhantomII
January 20, 2025 at 12:40 pm
You better damn well do something. Our QB1 and WR GROUP meaning everyone took a massive step backward. More targets did not go to Kraft or Jacobs...the 2 players that caught nearly any catchable ball. Our QB1 is not going to progress by GB running the ball at a higher clip than anyone in the NFL in the first half. A lot of those runs need to be screen passes and check downs to Jacobs , Kraft and others.
If GB wants to get to a Super Bowl and win we need better Wr's....the type that actually catch the ball like last season. This regression is 100 percent on coaching and WR's not dedicating themselves to the most basic part of being a WR...run a route....win your route....get separation and catch the damn ball. We might as well ran all 3 RB's out there with Kraft and see if it would work in the pass game. The fix to this offense is not 1 but 2 starting WR's and one of them must be an Elite WR1. We had the chance to get a turnkey #1 in the draft and did not take him. In order for the offense to improve it needs to run on more than hope someone wants to put in the work to get paid.
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 01:09 pm
'''' Our QB1 and WR GROUP meaning everyone took a massive step backward. More targets did not go to Kraft or Jacobs''''
In 2023, we threw 581 passes.
In 2024, we threw 479 passes.
In 2023, we scored 383 points
In 2024, we scored 460 points.
In 2023, we averaged about 6.5 net yards/attempt
In 2024, we averaged over 7.5 net yards/attempt.
So, to sum up, we threw fewer passes, for a higher average/attempt, scored more points, and won more games. I'm not seeing backwards; I'm seeing the evolution of an offense, the growth of young players, the addition of Jacobs. I'm seeing an offense, and specifically a passing offense, that was better in 2024 than it was in 2023.
PhantomII
January 20, 2025 at 02:05 pm
LOL. This team did not defeat a single good team this season....lost to every Division team 2x minus Bears last second finger tip block. The run game can win in the playoffs, but not with this OL....Not big enough or tough enough and no depth. Any moron could see the pass game regress as well as QB1 struggle. Jacobs was a great addition, but for JL to improve we need to throw more....not less and I'm all for Jacobs being thrown to more as well. Jacobs fixed our red zone fails to a large degree against bad teams.
Leatherhead
January 21, 2025 at 08:38 am
yeah, that's wrong. Texans and Rams both made the playoffs.
There were 3 teams out of 31 that we did not defeat. We have one of the best run games in the league.
NFLfan
January 20, 2025 at 02:45 pm
Looks like the Bears are signing Ben Johnson as HC
Alberta_Packer
January 20, 2025 at 03:41 pm
The Bears probably needed better coaching more than better players. If Johnson is that guy - than the NFC North will even be more competitive next year.
Bitternotsour
January 20, 2025 at 03:52 pm
ho hum. who gives a shit about the bears and an assistant coach. i'd be more concerned if they were able to bring Pennei Sewell to Chicago.
if Ben Johnson was all that he would have gotten a better job than Chicago, because the Bears suck.
murf7777
January 21, 2025 at 07:19 am
I’m happy they didn’t hire Pete Carroll, a guy who knows how to build a winning culture. He’s won wherever he coached in his career and seems to be forever young.
Bitternotsour
January 21, 2025 at 08:57 am
Pete didn't really win with the Jets. Pete seems pretty ingrained in Seattle, I've seen him in museums with his grandkids (while he was still coaching). Maybe he has the itch still, but he is OLD.
I'm elated they didn't hire McCarthy, who we know is a winner, and who builds culture and improves quarterbacks.
murf7777
January 22, 2025 at 06:20 am
I just watched him and states he is very eager to keep coaching and feels young. He’s physically and mentally in great shape. He was only the HC at Jets for one year.
dobber
January 22, 2025 at 07:16 am
McCarthy has won football games wherever he's been. He's shown he can win games with a meddlesome owner in Dallas. I think he would've had a chance to be successful in Chicago.
HarryHodag
January 20, 2025 at 03:47 pm
As Bob Dylan once said, "The times they are a a'changin". In case you haven't noticed there's been a rebirth of the running game the past two years. This is in response to defenses shifting toward stopping the pass.
My initial thought is the Packers do need a game changer at wide receiver. Watson can never be trusted again to last a full season. I would offer him as trade bait and move on. Reed has big play potential but not as the focus receiver. Doubs has an injury bug too, Wicks is a good possession receiver and the rest are ok.
If you look at the recent free agent movement involving receivers, few have become difference makers for their new teams. Not many are worth the ridiculous salaries they command.
My solution? Like the Chiefs did last draft, find the tallest, fastest receiver around at pick 24 and go for it.
Both lines could find workable free agents and THAT is where Gute should concentrate. They need a cornerback or two but those picks could be rounds 2 & 3. I think unless there's someone RELIABLE to take the top off the defense--at least the threat--teams will load the front to stop the run and blitz Love.
One caveat(I can't believe I'm saying this) is if Davante Adams is a free agent, he could fill that WR role on a deal that is team friendly. I think some foolish team will overpay for him. Adams is a head case but he can still bring it.
Alberta_Packer
January 20, 2025 at 04:08 pm
I like your thinking - with the following notes:
* At 24 - I have not yet seen that tall, fast receiver that could be a contributor to the Offence in his rookie year. Perhaps the Senior and Shrine Bowls - together with the NFL Combine - will reveal that prospect.
* I never viewed Davante Adams as a "head case." Perhaps more "difficult at times" - which I attribute more to the company he kept (Packers and Jets). Watching his play for the Jets - I saw, still, a good receiver - with at least another season of football in him. Thinking that he can be a good fit for the Packers - signing 1-2 years at 10M per?
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 05:51 pm
I like our track record at WR on Day 2.
I know that Watson did things beyond his 33 touches, but maybe we're looking at this the wrong way. His actual production is 33 touches, 650 yards, 2 TDs. IMO, that's replaceable.
A few more throws to Kraft. A few more to Reed/Wicks/Doubs.
And the new guy, whoever that is, on a rookie contract instead of a high$$ vet contract.
We have problems at the WR position, but they're solvable.
stockholder
January 20, 2025 at 06:06 pm
Instead of buying-
How about trading Alexander
For Pittman or Wilson.?
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 06:16 pm
We should trade Alexander. Do you have a team in mind that's willing and able to absorb his contract? How much value does a 28 year old guy with his injury history have? Or is just getting rid of $17M in salary and bonuses enough?
I'd like to trade him for a Day 2 pick if I could get it. If Rasul Douglas was worth a Day 2 pick, then Alexander should be, to.
stockholder
January 20, 2025 at 07:23 pm
Well the jets are about to lose a Cb.
Alexander would easily take his place.
I'm sure the packers could absorb some $.
Leatherhead
January 20, 2025 at 07:39 pm
I do enjoy fleecing the Jets.
NFLfan
January 20, 2025 at 09:20 pm
.
realtalkryan87
January 23, 2025 at 07:55 am
I think to run it back is a mistake. Estimates have Watson out till Week 12. There is no one on this roster who can stretch the field. 2 of them struggle with drops. Hope is not a strategy, they need to add a deep threat. I like Higgins but not at $28 million. I wouldn't mind bringing Adams back on a 1 year deal. These young receivers need veteran mentorship.