Packers playing the long game when it comes to adding a veteran WR
Even though the Green Bay Packers have the NFL's second-youngest roster – they're not your typical team of youngsters. Jordan Love is entering his third year in the offensive system he's known for his entire career and there are Pro Bowl-caliber veterans at key positions like cornerback, left tackle, EDGE, and running back – among […]
Even though the Green Bay Packers have the NFL's second-youngest roster – they're not your typical team of youngsters.
Jordan Love is entering his third year in the offensive system he's known for his entire career and there are Pro Bowl-caliber veterans at key positions like cornerback, left tackle, EDGE, and running back – among others.
But, there are other position groups that even things out and one is the wide receiver room. Even if Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs combined to play over 1,000 offensive snaps last year – they have their own questions to answer.
As a whole, the Packers receiver room consists of 11 players – but none have been on an NFL roster for more than two seasons. Former UDFA, Jeff Cotton, is the eldest receiver at 26.
The youth and overall inexperience is a major reason many people have pointed to the Packers as a potential suitor for veteran wideouts still available via free agency. It makes sense to bring in an older guy with experience to help show these guys the ropes, so to speak, while helping them in other facets of NFL life and preparation.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was asked on the first day of training camp about the probability of bringing in a veteran WR and his answer was sound and logical.
"We're very excited about that group and how they're gonna grow together with Jordan [Love] and the whole offense," Gutkeunst told reporters. "But yeah, we look at all those things and we'll continue to [look at them]. If the right player and the right price and all that kind of stuff comes around, we'll certainly contemplate it and see if that that makes some sense. But the players we have right now, in that group, need to play. They need the reps. And we're excited about that."
It's a solid approach. For starters, Watson and Doubs are easily considered WR1 and WR2 and the expectation is for them to carry those titles throughout the season as they continue to improve and produce. Secondly, for every available veteran, there's a young player that not only plays the same position, but provides more upside.
Take the slot position, for instance. Rookie second-rounder Jayden Reed is currently the frontrunner for the job with second-year seventh-rounder, Samori Toure, behind him. Bringing in a guy like Jarvis Landry would eat into their reps and as we saw last year, Landry isn't worth "barging in" like that. Sure, he's dealt with injuries as recently as last year, but that's also the point: A healthy Landry will cut into reps for the aforementioned players.
Any WR that plays on the outside would cut into Dontayvion Wicks' reps or even Malik Heath's. Right now, there's no reason to do that before seeing what these guys can do when the pads come on.
They deserve the opportunity and Matt LaFleur, along with Gutekunst, are going to give them every opportunity to show what they can do. And in the marathon that is the NFL season, that's the right way to approach this.
Matt LaFleur challenges Jordan Love and compliments him at the same time
Love has a lot to prove to the Packers -and the NFL- in 2023, but his coaches know he’s capable of doing just that.
Featured image via MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL / USA TODAY NETWORK