I described the Green Bay Packers draft as “unexpected but effective.” While it didn’t necessarily begin how many of us expected it to, by the end, Green Bay did address several big needs, including receiver, the front-seven, special teams, and the offensive line.
However, as is the case with every team, there are still some unknowns. So with the draft behind us, I wanted to discuss what questions we still have about this Packers roster.
Did the Green Bay Packers do enough at WR?
This wide receiver room isn’t going to be as good as it was with Davante Adams in it–we know that. But given how it’s currently constructed, did the Green Bay Packers do enough?
I’m sure the general consensus is no, but what they did do is add some needed speed and playmaking to it through the draft. Christian Watson brings 4.36-second speed and has one of the highest ceilings of any receiver in this class. Right away he will be a vertical threat in this offense and provide Matt LaFleur with someone he can use on screens, as the motion man, and in gadget-type plays.
Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure both bring big-play ability as well. Doubs ranked third among all receivers in 2020 in downfield receiving yards, while Toure averaged nearly 20 yards per catch at Nebraska last season.
So I say all of that to say that improvements have been made–not to mention that they did add Sammy Watkins in free agency, who can provide a reliable veteran presence on the boundary if healthy.
For this group to be successful it’s going to look different than what it has in years past. LaFleur’s ability to scheme players open is going to be even more important and Aaron Rodgers elevating each of those receivers with his own play will be a requirement as well. And when discussing the passing game, don’t forget about the tight ends and running backs either. We are also going to see a Green Bay Packers team that relies much more on the defensive side of the ball.
Again, there is no replacing Adams, and the receiver room, of course, is not better without him, so it is going to take LaFleur, Rodgers, the defense, and other members of this team to fill that void. Ultimatley, we won’t have the answer to this question for some time, but as of now, I’d say–maybe? A lot of it hinges on the impact that the rookie receivers can have and along with the other elements just discussed.