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Green Bay Packers: What more can Marquez Valdes-Scantling do in 2018?

By Brandon Carwile

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling #83 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling #83 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been great for the Green Bay Packers as a rookie but how much more can he offer this season?

Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has already been the Green Bay Packers most surprising rookie in 2018. As a sixth-round draft choice, not much was expected from him with a receiving corps already featuring Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison and tight end Jimmy Graham. Now you could argue Valdes-Scantling is Green Bay’s second best receiver but how much more can we expect from the rookie in the second half of the season?

The Packers certainly need an offensive boost to come from somewhere and of late it’s been Valdes-Scantling as Adams has drawn heavy attention from opposing defenses. Last week against the New England Patriots, Adams was double teamed for most of the game limiting him to only six catches for 40 yards. Valdes-Scantling was their leading receiver with three catches for 101 yards.

On the season, he has 358 yards on 17 receptions bringing his average yards per catch to an astounding 21.1. Compared to other rookies, Valdes-Scantling ranks fourth in yards despite being the 19th receiver taken off the board back in April’s draft.

Fellow rookie teammate Equanimeous St. Brown totals seven receptions for 143 yards in a limited capacity but could see more reps if he continues to prove himself.

St. Brown may need to step up after the team announced this week that Allison was headed to injured reserve after determining he needs surgery on his core for what was considered a “significant injury.” Allison was on his way to having a breakout season before injuries got the best of him. Green Bay has the option to activate him later in the year, however, he would not be eligible until the playoffs. At the moment that appears to be a long shot.

The Packers offense is sputtering with no indications of a drastic turnaround. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers stated he hopes to get more targets to Adams, but he can’t be the only receiver to take on a more significant role.

With Randall Cobb working back from an injury the hope is he can contribute more than what he has in the past two weeks. As an encore to a four catch 40-yard performance against the Los Angeles Rams, Cobb went for only 25 yards on five catches against the Patriots.

And while Valdes-Scantling has been great in spurts he’s obviously limited as a rookie. The element of surprise won’t be a weapon of his much longer if he continues his success. Opposing defenses are only going to give him more attention which will make it interesting to see how he responds. Perhaps that can even open the door for Cobb and St. Brown.

Even though Adams has taken a step forward this season and Valdes-Scantling has been a pleasant surprise, Green Bay needs more from their remaining offensive weapons.

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