Green Bay Packers: 3 Overlooked Wide Receivers in 2020 NFL Draft
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the Green Bay Packers selecting a wide receiver early in the 2020 NFL Draft, but these three guys could be sleepers.
Everyone and their mom knows the Green Bay Packers have a need at wide receiver. They have a stud in Davante Adams, but few other proven players at the position. If they want to take a step forward next season, they’ll need to give Aaron Rodgers some more weapons to work with and address the position early in the NFL Draft.
Fortunately, this year’s class is loaded at the position from the top down. Guys like Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb and Henry Ruggs III lead the way and could be drafted right outside the top 10. After them, at least five other receivers have a real chance to be selected in the first round.
However, there are a handful of sleepers the Packers could take a hard look at as well. These three players might not be getting all the attention, but could easily be targeted in the first or second rounds. Here are three overlooked wide receivers Green Bay could consider early in the draft:
Michael Pittman Jr., USC
In Todd McShay’s most recent mock draft, Pittman Jr. was snagged with the 34th overall pick–just a few selections after the Packers were on the clock. He might be more of the same for Green Bay considering he’s 6-foot-4 with average speed and is probably best as a big, possession receiver. That sounds a lot like Allen Lazard and the newly signed Devin Funchess. However, Pittman is likely better than both of those guys from Day 1 and would provide an immediate upgrade to the WR2 position. If general manager Brian Gutekunst is truly devoted to big wide receivers, Pittman Jr. could be his man.
Laviska Shenault, Colorado
Laviska Shenault is a bit of a wildcard in this year’s draft; if a team falls in love with him he could go early in the second, but there’s also the real possibility he falls to Green Bay’s second pick in the draft. He’d provide the Packers with another playmaker they desperately need, as he’s extremely versatile with the ball in his hands. He’s very physical and Matt LaFleur would need to find creative ways to get him the ball both in the passing game and some in the running game. The biggest question mark is durability, as he missed time in each of his three collegiate seasons.
Next. Packers: 3 Best-Case Scenarios for Top Draft Pick. dark
KJ Hamler, Penn State
KJ Hamler would be the zig to the Packers’ zag. Given all their height and lack of speed at wide receiver, this 5-foot-9 prospect would give them elite speed from the slot and someone to make defensive coordinators fear from multiple levels. He could kill defenses on crossing routes and open the field for the rest of the receivers by extending the safeties deep. He still has work to do on his routes and with his hands, but he’s an intriguing fit in Green Bay.