1 Big Question Facing Each Packers Player: Wide Receivers Part I
By Paul Bretl
As part of my Green Bay Packers training camp preview series, I will be taking a look at one big question facing each member of this team.
So far, I have worked my way through the quarterbacks as well as the running backs, and now we are on to the receivers. With 10 receivers on the roster, I decided to split this position group into two parts.
In this particular article, I will take a look at six of the Packers’ receivers, and I have paired up Allen Lazard with Randall Cobb, Samori Toure with Juwann Winfree, and Christian Watson with Romeo Doubs because I believe each group is facing a similar question this summer.
Can Lazard and Cobb remain effective for the Green Bay Packers with more opportunities and attention?
While many wonder who will be able to step up at the receiver position this season in those higher leverage situations, both Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard have had success in those roles in recent years.
Both, of course, have the trust of Aaron Rodgers — and we all know how important that is — and each has come up big on numerous occasions on third downs and in the red zone.
Since 2019, Lazard has caught 70% of his 53 third or fourth down targets and averaged an impressive 15.9 yards per catch with eight touchdowns. Also important to note, 35 of his 37 receptions have gone for first downs. As a red zone target, Lazard has hauled in 14 of his 23 targets with eight touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.
Cobb, meanwhile, in his return to the Packers in 2021, recorded 12 receptions on 17 third down targets at 16.9 yards per catch with 10 first downs. All four of his red-zone catches would go for touchdowns as well.
Cobb and Lazard will both have plenty of opportunities in these situations this season, especially early on as the rookies get acclimated. Rodgers would recently say that he prefers production over potential. However, the question, as stated above, is can they maintain that same level of success?
Truthfully, they likely won’t be as efficient just because with more targets; there is more room for error. But on top of that, Lazard and Cobb were able to put up those numbers alongside of Davante Adams, who drew much of the attention on third downs and in the red zone. Now, it will be Lazard and Cobb who the defense will be focused on.