Green Bay Packers: WR Best and Worst Case Scenarios
By Kenny Jilek
Fringe Guys
Reggie Begelton and Jake Kumerow may have had the most to gain by Funchess’ decision to opt-out of the season, even more than Lazard. This is because while Lazard may have had to battle for snaps, they have less of a fight for their job now. While they would have likely been the sixth and seventh receivers on the roster, now they will be presumably fifth and sixth. The Green Bay Packers have shown that they will keep six receivers, so there is now a reasonable chance that they both still make the team.
Jake Kumerow
Fun fact: At 28 years old, Kumerow is the oldest Green Bay Packers’ receiver. For all the raving that the coaches, specifically Matt LaFleur and teammates, most importantly quarterback Aaron Rodgers, do about him, he doesn’t get thrown the ball much. We often hear how well he knows the playbook and that he makes plays in practice, but on game day, he’s usually in the game because of his plus blocking and not much else.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2015, he bounced around the NFL and made his way to the Green Bay Packers in 2017 as a practice squad member. He finally got some playing time in 2018, and in 2019 he improved, but still only caught 12 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown.
Jake Kumerow is still not out of the woods as far as making the roster goes, even though there is now a more clear path for him. He still needs to prove that he is valuable enough for the Packers to keep a sixth receiver on the roster. His worst-case could still be not making the roster, but these stat predictions will work with the assumption that he will make the squad.
Best Case Stats: 25 receptions, 400 yards, 4 touchdowns
Worst Case Stats: 5 receptions, 80 yards, 0 touchdowns
Reggie Begelton
Reggie Begelton has the most significant gap in possibilities for his season. Honestly, he could get cut, or he could become the Packers number two receiver or top slot guy. He played mostly in the slot in the CFL, where he dominated last year to the tune of 102 receptions for 1444 yards and 10 touchdowns.
With how much better he was than the competition in Canada, it brings up the question, can he be the guy we need? There’s certainly the chance that his skills will transfer to NFL games, but maybe he was just physically dominant enough to beat guys in Canada.
Again, like Kumerow, there’s a chance he doesn’t make this team. However, with Funchess gone, I’d call him pretty much in. Much of his stats will depend on if he can win the primary slot receiver job.
Best Case Stats: 55 receptions, 650 yards, 5 touchdowns
Worst Case Stats: 20 receptions, 200 yards, 1 touchdown