4 Concerns for the Green Bay Packers Ahead of Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Concerns: Who is going to be “the guy” at WR?
Despite what we consistently hear or read, there is talent at the wide receiver position for the Packers; however, the big question surrounding this unit is, who is going to be the guy when it’s 3rd-and-five and Green Bay needs a first down to keep the drive moving past midfield?
Truthfully, there likely is no one answer to this question. With Green Bay not having a clear-cut No. 1 receiver at this time, the ball will, in all likelihood, be spread around depending on who is open or who has the hot hand. This could vary week to week or even series to series.
Early on in the season, the recipients of these high leverage targets will often be Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, and Randall Cobb — the veterans — who have experience and who Aaron Rodgers has the most trust in.
Both Lazard and Cobb have been very efficient and effective on third downs with Rodgers at quarterback, but that now does become a bit more challenging without Adams drawing much of the attention and there likely being more opportunities coming their way.
Hopefully, rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs can also emerge as reliable options on third downs and in the red zone, but as Rodgers said, he prefers “production over potential,” and those consistent opportunities will have to be earned in practice.
It’s also important to note that with how active the tight ends and running backs are in the passing game, Robert Tonyan or Aaron Jones could also emerge as a favorite for this role.
The Packers aren’t short on options when it comes to who can fill this role, and in part, that is what could make them effective as defenses have to figure out where the ball is going. But it’s unclear at this time who will be that reliable third down and red zone target.