5 Wide Receivers Who Can Help Packers Need For Speed
The Green Bay Packers have a desperate need for speed and here are five wide receivers who could help them out in this category.
The Green Bay Packers‘ offense did the best they could with what they had in 2019. Their talent included a brand new offensive system, a waning Aaron Rodgers and very few weapons outside of Davante Adams and Aaron Jones.
Even worse, the Packers lacked speed at every position. Jones isn’t exactly slow, but he’s no burner. The same goes for Adams who relies mostly on agility and elite route running to get the job done. Outside of their two studs, their top pass-catchers were Jamaal Williams, Jimmy Graham, Allen Lazard and Geronimo Allison–none of which resemble anything close to a deep threat.
In fact, the only player on their roster in 2019 that could stretch the field was second-year wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling who disappeared down the stretch.
Green Bay has a desperate need for speed on both sides of the ball, as teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs demonstrated they could fly all over the field on their way to Super Bowl appearances. Here are five wideouts who can immediately improve the Packers’ team speed.
5. Jakeem Grant
Jakeem Grant took a step backward last season for the Miami Dolphins, but make no mistake about it, he can stretch the field for any team he plays for. After running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash before being drafted in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, he flashed his big-play potential in both 2017 and 2018 with 65 and 52-yard receptions, respectively. Grant is a cheap option to provide depth at the end of the Packers’ wide receiver depth chart, but he certainly improves their lack of speed should he be acquired.
4. Taylor Gabriel
The oldest player on this list, Taylor Gabriel isn’t quite the explosive player he was coming out of college. However, he’s no sloth and can fly all over the field from multiple spots. Gabriel had a couple of disappointing seasons in Chicago, but can provide Green Bay with a third option in the passing game should they seek his services.
3. Corey Coleman
Corey Coleman hasn’t nearly lived up to the hype after being drafted in the first round (15th overall pick) of the 2016 draft. He’s statistics have declined each year he’s been in the league after catching 33 passes for 413 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie campaign. However, his 4.37-second 40-yard dash can’t be changed and he’d instantly upgrade Green Bay’s speed issue.
2. Breshad Perriman
Speaking of disappointing first-round picks, Breshad Perriman was selected with the 26th pick in the 2015 draft. And, although he’s had a more established career than Coleman, he still hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. The good news is Perriman had an amazing five-game run to end the season including three 100-yard receiving games to end the season. After running a 4.24-second 40-yard dash before the draft, he could provide Green Bay with exactly what they’re looking for.
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1. Robby Anderson
Robby Anderson is the most prolific speedster on this list. After running a 4.34-second 40-yard dash, he posted the best season of his career in his second season including 63 receptions for 941 yards and seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, he hasn’t kept his mojo going in the last two years, failing to eclipse the 800-yard mark. Still, he’d give Green Bay a nice second option to Adams who can zig where Adams zags.