Green Bay Packers: Three wide receivers to target in the draft
The Green Bay Packers could look to upgrade their wide receiver corps this offseason. Here are three players they could look into on Day 2 of the draft.
The Green Bay Packers’ need at wide receiver could be big or small depending on who you ask. One person might tell you they’re in good shape with the three rookies they drafted last season and should simply look into developing them.
Others would tell you that they have Davante Adams and a big group of fourth wide receivers. General Manager Brian Gutekunst has looked to add to his receiver corps each of the last two offseasons.
This year he kicked the tires on Cole Beasley before ultimately passing on him at that price. Last year it was Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins they looked into as well.
The second round receiver has been a specialty in Green Bay. In a previous post, A.J. Brown was mentioned as someone the Green Bay Packers could target at the end of round one, he would also be in play in round two. Here are three other players that could entice Green Bay at pick 44.
Deebo Samuel – South Carolina
Samuel is the prototypical slot receiver in the modern-day NFL. If he were plugged into the Green Bay Packers offense, fans would be immediately reminded of Randall Cobb’s prime. Samuel is an assassin in the middle of the field. He puts slot cornerbacks in a blender and runs away from them once the ball in his hands.
He’s not your typical gadget player. He’s capable of breaking away from first contact and making plays after the fact. Matt LaFleur’s offense which derives largely from Kyle Shanahan’s relies on slot receivers for misdirection and jet sweep actions. Samuel would fit that role like a glove.
Kelvin Harmon – NC State
Speaking of former Packers receivers, Kelvin Harmon is seen as a Jordy Nelson clone. His ability to make plays on the boundary would remind fans of the way Nelson could control and contort his body in a variety of ways to make plays down the field.
However, Harmon did not test well from an athletic standpoint. He measured in with a raw athletic score of 4.92, which makes him an average athlete. The Packers have typically taken high level athletes with few exceptions the last two years. Harmon’s excellent hands and ability down the field could entice the Packers to make an exception in the second round, or potentially the third.
N’Keal Harry – Arizona State
Harry is the hot name amongst the fanbase and media recently. Lafleur and Gutekunst both mentioned a desire to get “bigger and more explosive” at the slot position. The Green Bay Packers were in attendance for one of Harry’s biggest games as a college athlete, where Harry finished with four catches and 95 yards with a touchdown against USC.
Harry’s biggest asset in Green Bay would be that they tend to like receivers that can play all over the formation. With the exception of Randall Cobb, they’ve drafted bigger receivers that can play both inside the formation, and on the boundary. Harry fits the bill.
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Some people might be scared off with his lack of separation on tape, but he does win contested catches, which should alleviate some of those concerns. Harry has ability with the ball in his hands similar to Davante Adams, but tested as a better athlete. That’s the hope the Packers would have for the offense if they were to select Harry in the late first, early second range.