Packers receivers have a great shot at making some big waves in 2023
The Green Bay Packers may have a very young group of wideouts, but it's also a dynamic and explosive group. Rookie wideout Jayden Reed is a part of that. The talented playmaker had to be respected every single time he was on the field at Michigan State and his versatility made it to where teams […]
The Green Bay Packers may have a very young group of wideouts, but it's also a dynamic and explosive group.
Rookie wideout Jayden Reed is a part of that. The talented playmaker had to be respected every single time he was on the field at Michigan State and his versatility made it to where teams dreaded gameplanning against him.
The Packers already have their vision set for Reed. While he was versatile in college, playing both on the perimeter in the slot, the Packers are moving Reed inside. That way, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs can provide consistent threats on the outside.
"A lot of slot and a little bit of outside," Reed told reporters Tuesday. "It's kind of similar to college, but I'm primarily in the slot, now. So, it's a little different. I like working in space and I think I'll fit in in the NFL playing in the slot and rotating outside."
This will be huge for the Packers' passing attack and Watson, specifically
The fact Reed is playing in the slot is great news for the Packers. Reed has shown the ability to be a playmaker on the inside in college. Last year, just 20.4% of his total targets came while he was in the slot, but he made the most of his opportunities, recording 16 receptions for 187-yards and two touchdowns on 17 targets. His 2.37 yards per route run led the team and it placed him at 53rd out of 198 qualifying players.
The Packers need someone to take over the slot since Allen Lazard departed for New York. Watson's 33.8% target share from the slot ranked second on the team last year and his 2.29 yards per route run ranked 13th among receivers with at least 22 slot targets (64 qualifying players). But, it's clear his home is mostly outside on the perimeter, where he can stretch defenses and allow Doubs and Reed to work around in whatever way needed.
But Reed's presence also creates a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. His 4.4 speed will force teams to respect him vertically and if he's ever lined up on the same side of the formation as Watson, it's essentially pick your poison for the defense. Does the safety help inside or outside? Either way, a dynamic playmaker is about to get 1-on-1 coverage and that's not something any defense should want in this context.
The Packers can also flip the above scenario and put Watson on the inside and Reed on the outside. Matt LaFleur and co. are probably salivating at the thought of the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Watson lined up opposite a smaller nickel back and slower safety – or hell, maybe even a linebacker in some instances.
Watson looked like a grown man on the practice field Tuesday. He talked after the season about tempering his body for the rigors of a full NFL season and you can tell he was an active participant in the weight room this offseason. – Wes Hodkiewicz, Packers.com
No matter how you slice it, the Packers have a very promising, versatile group that if used correctly, can really reshape the passing attack and improve upon a very inconsistent 2022 season.
"I just feel like, when everybody's together [and] helping each other, that's always tremendous having that chemistry and everybody working together," said Reed. "That's the only way to elevate."
