One position group the Packers must address before the regular season
After Davante Adams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, many have questioned whether the Green Bay Packers have enough talent at the wide receiver position to contend for a Super Bowl in 2022. Though the Packers will always have a shot to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as long as Aaron Rodgers is […]
After Davante Adams signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, many have questioned whether the Green Bay Packers have enough talent at the wide receiver position to contend for a Super Bowl in 2022. Though the Packers will always have a shot to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as long as Aaron Rodgers is under center, the team’s pass catchers are certainly a concern.
Green Bay checks in at seventh in a recent column on NFL.com titled: 2022 NFL season: 10 biggest remaining roster holes heading into training camp.
Author Kevin Patra explains his stance:
“The Packers are counting on Aaron Rodgers to buoy a pass-catching corps currently led by Allen Lazard (who has never had a 520-yard season), Sammy Watkins (394 yards in 2021), soon-to-be 32-year-old Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers (four catches for 45 yards as a rookie) and rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. Perhaps Watson is explosive out of the gate en route to an Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Perhaps Watkins stays healthy, and Lazard proves a go-to player in Year 5. Perhaps.”
He goes on to say, “Rodgers’ otherworldly play is a reason to be confident the Green Bay offense won't fall apart without Davante Adams. The QB's desire to play with veterans, however, is also a factor. Will importing a Julio Jones type on the cheap or bringing Odell Beckham Jr. to Lambeau as his rehab gets closer to finishing be in play if the current group doesn't mesh? Beyond the WR room, given Robert Tonyan is coming off an ACL tear, there are questions at tight end, where the Pack are counting on Josiah Deguara to make a Year 3 leap.”
While the unit does feature a handful of veterans, relying on Lazard, Watkins, and an aging Cobb to pick up the slack that Adams leaves behind is not a recipe for success. Tonyan has proven to be reliable when his number has been called, but coming off of a serious knee injury is cause for concern.
The clear wildcard is Watson. In 2021, Watson totaled 43 receptions for 800 receiving yards and seven touchdowns at North Dakota State. Though his college statistics do not jump off of the page, Watson stole the show at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
He stands at 6-foot-4, weighing in at 208 pounds. His potential is undeniable, but is relying on a rookie wideout to be the catalyst in the Packers’ passing game is asking a lot.
Training camp is still a month away and there is plenty of time to bring in a veteran via free agency. The aforementioned Jones and Beckham are going to be rumored as long as they remain unsigned, but injuries have clearly played a part in the pair’s recent decline.
Will Fuller, T.Y. Hilton, Cole Beasley, and Emmanuel Samuels are a few free agent receivers that would make sense for Green Bay. However, Fuller is the only one of the bunch under the age of 30.
Running back Aaron Jones has been an asset for Rodgers over the last few years. If Watson emerges and winds up as a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year then the Packers will likely secure its fourth-straight NFC North title.
Division titles are certainly an accomplishment, but for a team with a quarterback who has won back-to-back MVPs, expectations should be centered around the Super Bowl.
As of right now I find it difficult to trust the Packers pass catchers. There is no doubt another move must be made, but will General Manager Brian Gutekunst get it right? The team’s history with the position group should give Packers fans more than a few reasons to worry.
Featured image via Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK
