Green Bay Packers: Don’t Overlook Devin Funchess

Many are still disappointed that the Green Bay Packers didn’t leave the 2020 NFL draft with a receiver, but fans shouldn’t be overlooking Devin Funchess.

If it wasn’t the biggest perceived need this offseason, addressing the wide receiver position for the Green Bay Packers was certainly close. Whether it be the Packer faithful or the NFL media, the thought was that near the top of GM Brian Gutekunst’s to-do list during the draft should have been adding a receiver from what was a loaded class.

However, as we all know, that isn’t how things played out. Instead, the Green Bay Packers would go the entire draft without selecting a receiver and now once again, many are left wondering who is going to step up next to Davante Adams?

We, fortunately, saw Allen Lazard emerge over the course of the 2019 season, but it’s fair to wonder if he can assume the No. 2 wide receiver role for an entire year. Meanwhile, Equanimeous St. Brown miss all of 2019, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling saw his snap count decrease as the year went on.

Then there is Jake Kumerow who despite the struggles from the unit last year, still rarely saw playing time and Green Bay would also add Reggie Begelton from the CFL. While he put together a phenomenal 2019 season up north, we still don’t know how his game will translate to the NFL level.

So understandably, some fans are concerned. However, while the signing may have gotten lost in the shuffle this offseason, one player that we can’t be forgetting about is Devin Funchess.

The 2019 season for Funchess was a lost one as he missed just about the entire season with a collar bone injury after signing a one year – $10 million with Indianapolis. But prior to that, he was coming off a solid two-year stretch, including a career year in 2017.

A former second-round pick with the Carolina Panthers and just 26-years-old, Funchess is still in the prime of his career and was a top target of Cam Newton’s.

During his breakout 2017 season, Funchess totaled 840 yards at 13.3 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. And combined for 2017 and 2018, he would record almost 1,400 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns.

Now, those aren’t elite numbers by any means, but he was still very productive. Also keep in mind that with Davante Adams, the Green Bay Packers don’t need a bonafide No. 1 receiver, they just need a complementary target for Aaron Rodgers. Which Funchess can certainly be.

At 6’4″ – 225 pounds, Funchess is going to give Rodgers another big receiving target. And while he may not have that breakaway straight-line speed or be a deep threat like Valdes-Scantling, Funchess has been successful at making back-shoulder catches and creating catching windows for his quarterbacks with his big body.

Not to mention that the combination of him and Rodgers could form quite the one-two punch in the red zone.

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For a closer look at Funchess’ game, Andy Herman of Packer Report has already dug into his tape and had several key takeaways from what he saw:

"“What stood out most to me was that Funchess was a much better route runner than I gave him credit for.” Andy would then add, “From a pure route running standpoint he would have been the Packers’ second-best wide receiver in 2019.”"

In Carolina Funchess had shown that he can lineup both out wide and in the slot. This versatility is going to mesh well with what Matt LaFleur wants to do in 2020 by using multiple formations with the same personnel.

And as Andy points out, with his size and skill-set, Funchess could be a real weapon from the slot for Green Bay:

"“He also uses his size and body well and is a consistent target to move the chains. He has great flexibility and can be lined up on either side of the field, or in the slot. And while Funchess isn’t a tight end, and isn’t going to play tight end, he will give Green Bay a receiving threat similar to a tight end lined up in the slot.”"

With Geronimo Allison’s up and down play, a consistent presence from the slot was missing from this offense last season and of course, Funchess’ ability to win in the red zone are just a few of the reasons that Matt LaFleur expressed his excitement on recent Zoom calls with reporters:

"“You add a guy like Devin Funchess, who I can’t wait to start to work with, because here’s a big, physical receiver that’s extremely talented and a good veteran presence,” LaFleur said."

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would also have a similar candor when he was asked about Funchess recently.

Although there is plenty to like, one area that Funchess must improve upon is limiting the dropped passes. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), during his first four seasons, Funchess was credited with 23 drops and as we all know, that kind of unreliability is not going to fly in Green Bay with Rodgers.

With that said, ultimately fans should be excited about this signing. In terms of production, Funchess is now the second most accomplished receiver on this roster behind only Davante Adams and it’s not like putting up 840-yard seasons is something that every receiver does.

If Funchess can return to close to his 2017 form while being a weapon in the red zone, along with Lazard, Valdes-Scantling, and St. Brown as third, fourth, and fifth options – no particular order – this Green Bay Packers wide receiver unit is going to be just fine in 2020.

All stats and contract info courtesy of Pro Football Reference, Pro Football Focus, and Spotrac.