Expect Packers to lean on veteran WRs against Vikings CBs
By Paul Bretl
During Green Bay Packers minicamp back in early June, Aaron Rodgers told reporters that he prefers production over potential.
Even with the emergence of Romeo Doubs this summer, when once again speaking with reporters last week, Rodgers made it clear that in Minnesota, the Packers’ top three receivers will be the veterans, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, and Allen Lazard–if healthy.
While Doubs and Christian Watson have far more upside, the Packers trio of veterans have Rodgers’ trust, and we all know how important that is. The trust factor for Rodgers isn’t only about catching the ball but also being in the right spot at the right time and making the correct pre-snap adjustments.
Lazard, who missed Monday’s practice, has been a go-to option for Rodgers in high-leverage situations such as on third downs and in the red zone. Rodgers has also already declared Lazard as the Packers’ No. 1 receiver.
Cobb and Watkins, meanwhile, both had strong performances over the last few weeks of training camp. Cobb will provide a slot presence with Watkins giving Rodgers another experienced target on the boundary. When healthy, Watkins has remained effective even over the last few seasons.
Understandably so, receiver is one of the big question marks on this Packers team, but they’ll be going up against a Minnesota Vikings cornerback group with questions of its own.
Patrick Peterson can still be effective, but he also isn’t the player he used to be now entering his 12th NFL season. Chandon Sullivan can provide a steady presence in the slot, but as we saw firsthand, he’s also someone who can get picked on.
Cameron Dantzler will look to build off of his 2021 performance that included a completion rate of 52% when targeted per PFF ($$). The Vikings also spent a second-round pick on Andrew Booth from Clemson.
But around this cornerback group, the Vikings have a stout pass rush, led by Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith, along with a solid group of safeties that includes Harrison Smith, Lewis Cine, and Cam Bynum.
The key, as is often the case, will be the Green Bay Packers offensive line giving Rodgers enough time. I also expect the Packers to rely on the quick passing game, especially if they are without either David Bakhtiari and/or Elgton Jenkins, just as they did a season ago, to get the ball out of Rodgers’ hands quickly.
Cobb, Lazard, and Watson may lead the Packers receivers in snaps and targets, but Doubs and Watson will have roles as well; the question is, however, how big will those roles be?
Doubs could provide the Packers with a vertical threat to stretch the field, something he was very effective at while in college at Nevada and something we saw from him this summer. Doubs may also end up having more opportunities than originally thought because of how well he played this summer.
Watson could fill that downfield role too, but Matt LaFleur may also use him as a motion man and on gadget plays, trying to get him the ball in space as quickly as they can so his playmaking abilities can take over.
All eyes will be on the Packers pass-catchers during this Week 1 matchup with Minnesota, specifically the wide receivers. How things play out remains to be seen, but we can expect the veteran receivers to have the bulk of the targets, and while this group has its unknowns, they do have a bit of a favorable matchup going up against this Vikings cornerback room.