WR Will Fuller being “monitored” by teams; could Packers be one of them?

On Monday, Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network would report that wide receiver Will Fuller is “being monitored by multiple NFL teams.” Could the Green Bay Packers be one of the interested parties?

As GM Brian Gutekunst likes to say, he wants to be in on every conversation. So it is certainly feasible that the Packers have checked in on Fuller.

All offseason, I have been fairly adamant that I don’t expect the Packers to add to the wide receiver position, even with all of the unknowns. Despite those question marks, this is a fairly congested wide receiver room as it is.

However, last week we would learn that rookie Christian Watson recently underwent a minor knee procedure and has been sidelined since. And while this isn’t a long-term issue, it also doesn’t sound like he will be stepping on the practice field in the coming days either–which could slightly open the door for an addition.

These lost practice reps are incredibly valuable for any rookie, and Watson is falling a bit behind–to what degree remains to be seen. As Aaron Rodgers told reporters during minicamp, there is the playbook that’s on paper and then what actually takes place on the field. Watson is now going to have to play catch up.

"“Yeah, it’s tough, because there’s nothing like getting those real live reps, even if it’s in a walkthrough situation,” Matt LaFleur said Monday via Packers Wire. “Just some of the subtleties that our quarterbacks can do at the line of scrimmage, to change a play or tweak a play, when you’re not out there doing it, it is an adjustment.”"

One specific role that Watson will be able to fill in this Packers offense right away is as a deep threat. He recorded a 4.36-second 40-yard dash time at the combine and averaged 21.3 yards per catch during his career at North Dakota State, according to PFF ($$).

But as Watson works his way back from knee surgery and gets back up to speed on the field when that time comes, Fuller is someone who could provide an insurance option for that same downfield role.

In 2020, Fuller ranked 18th in total downfield passing yards — or receptions when targeted 20-plus yards downfield — and 23rd in receptions, all while playing in only 11 games. The 2019 season was a similar story; Fuller appeared in 11 games but still finished 11th in downfield yards and 14th in downfield receptions. If healthy for an entire season, he could have very well ranked among the best in these categories.

However, staying healthy has been the issue for Fuller. He would appear in only two games in 2021 with Miami, 11 during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, as already mentioned. Along with playing in just seven games in 2018 and 10 in 2017. In fact, Fuller has never played a full NFL season.

This is the risk that comes with signing him but also the reason why his contract is to be relatively  inexpensive and most likely incentive-heavy.

Given that we do not know what kind of impact Watson will have right away this season, bringing in Fuller and his skill-set to this offense makes quite a bit of sense on paper as it is a big need that has to be filled in Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s absence.

Not only does this element provide big play ability, but it opens up the passing game for the other pass-catchers as well–both underneath and by drawing the attention of the safeties.

With all of that said, my guess is that the Packers do not sign Fuller–with his injury history being the big reason why. The wide receiver group that they have now is who they will enter the 2022 season with.