Packers' best WR targets in the draft who could make Jordan Love's life easier and add playmaking ability to the passing game
Wide receiver is still a big need for the Green Bay Packers. Since the team traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders three years ago, it has failed to acquire or develop a new top target, even though there are enough pieces to build a competent position group.During the offseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst […]
Wide receiver is still a big need for the Green Bay Packers. Since the team traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders three years ago, it has failed to acquire or develop a new top target, even though there are enough pieces to build a competent position group.
During the offseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst considered acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, but he ended up going to the Pittsburgh Steelers. There were no great options in free agency, so the pieces are still the same.
Unlike the last few years, the draft class is not particularly great at wide receiver either. Nonetheless, there are still viable options to make the Packers’ offense better.
So, I invited Ricardo Gonçalves, my former co-host on the PodPackBR, to point out five ideal targets for the Packers in this year’s class. He is a great talent evaluator, so make sure you follow him on social media.
Matthew Golden, Texas
If the Packers and Brian Gutekunst want to break their streak of not drafting a WR in the first round since 2002, this is the guy. He’s an extremely versatile receiver who can line up and operate from anywhere on the field, with the ability to attack all three levels of the defense. While he’s not exactly big, he has a solid frame and a well-rounded skill set, from his release off the line of scrimmage to his ability to track and attack the ball in the air. He has excellent ball skills and thrives in contested-catch situations.
Golden is also highly effective at breaking at the top of routes, selling fakes, and manipulating defenders with his hips and head movements. He consistently creates separation either through these techniques or simply with his speed and sharp cuts, generating enough space to make plays. His YAC ability is outstanding, making him a constant threat to turn any gain into a big play.
What really stands out is his play speed—it pops on tape more than his actual timed speed, as he just moves at a different pace than those around him. After a breakout year in 2024 at Texas, I’m convinced he can have a major impact in the NFL and potentially develop into a high-volume, versatile WR1. For the Packers, he would be that quick-read receiver who demands a significant number of targets, taking advantage of mismatches across the field.
Tre Harris, Ole Miss
The best pure X receiver in the class and a strong candidate to be one of the best value picks at the position on Day 2 of the draft. He has the size, strength, and enough athleticism to threaten all three levels of the field. Harris stands out with his excellent ball skills, displaying strong hands, great tracking ability, and the capacity to attack the ball at its highest point—performing well in contested-catch situations, as expected from a receiver of his profile.
However, separation isn’t an issue for him. On the contrary, he’s effective at it, knowing how to win against both zone and man coverage. He especially excels in intermediate and deep routes, where he shows great timing to attack defensive backs' blind spots and leverage angles to his advantage (his background as a high school QB, combined with his high football IQ, helps in this regard).
While he can move inside occasionally and has some YAC ability, he’ll need to refine his route tree and develop a more diverse release package. For the Packers, he would fill the need for a true X receiver, something the current WR room lacks. His presence would immediately help in boundary work and make a significant impact in the red zone.
Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Arguably the best hands in the class, alongside Travis Hunter, making him a natural fit for the Packers’ WR room, which has struggled with drops. Higgins has recorded only seven drops on 350 career targets in college, and the tape backs that up—he catches nearly everything thrown his way.
Despite having great size and frame, he’s not exactly a classic X receiver. While he played mostly outside, he’s a player who can be moved around and is effective from the slot and on routes over the middle. Higgins is a highly polished route runner with strong technique in leveraging defenders, consistently attacking blind spots and showing great timing on breaks and cuts.
His rhythm and manipulation are elite—he’s the slant king of this class. He also has a strong release package off the line, and while he’s not the most explosive, he varies his movements well enough to keep defensive backs guessing. I see him as another great Day 2 value pick who could make an immediate impact in the Packers’ offense.
Jalen Royals, Utah State
Another intriguing Day 2 prospect, but with a different profile from the others. Despite being smaller, he has a solid frame and plays bigger than his actual size. He’s a three-level threat, excelling as a deep threat but not limited to just that—his versatility allows him to be moved all over the field. Royals has good ball skills and is surprisingly effective in contested situations and tight windows, showing physicality at the catch point.
Additionally, his YAC ability is one of the strongest aspects of his game. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, showing elite elusiveness and the ability to make defenders miss with sharp cuts and jukes. His biggest challenge will be proving he can handle physical coverage, especially against press defenders who will try to jam and squeeze him toward the sideline—an area where his limited experience raises some concerns. Still, I believe he can succeed at the next level.
For the Packers, his skill set would bring valuable versatility, allowing him to be deployed in multiple ways and demand a solid volume of touches.
Pat Bryant, Illinois
A lesser-known name who could be available on Day 3, but still one of the best X receivers in the class. He has the prototypical size and frame for the position, with traits that fit the mold perfectly. His speed and agility are slightly above average but not elite, yet he compensates with his physicality and footwork. He consistently wins against press coverage—something the Packers desperately need help with, given the struggles of their current WRs in that area.
Bryant has a strong release package, wastes little movement, and possesses extremely reliable hands (just a 1.8% drop rate in 2024). He thrives in contested-catch situations, using his size and wingspan effectively while maintaining strong field awareness. Additionally, he’s a great blocker—strong, technically sound, and fully committed to his role, which is something the Packers always value in their offensive scheme.
Overall, he checks nearly every box for what the Packers need at WR, fitting as a possession-style X receiver.
Packers updated roster following free agent additions, including the top positions of need leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft
Green Bay has had the fewest external additions in the NFL
