4 high-risk, high-reward free agent wide receivers Packers should target
![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark (17) pulls Ibn a pass during second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans Sunday, December 13, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars trailed at the half 17 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Fljax 121320 Bsjaguarsvsti](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F91906d30ed283c9327f108affa91da2e6805369b9b587adbde13c5d0aa3254d9.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark (17) pulls Ibn a pass during second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans Sunday, December 13, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars trailed at the half 17 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Fljax 121320 Bsjaguarsvsti")
The Green Bay Packers and the rest of the NFL will be able to negotiate contracts with outside free agents beginning on March 13th, with free agency officially beginning on March 15th. That gives them a little under a month to finalize their offseason plans.
One position the Packers will have to address in one way or another is wide receiver. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs appear to be the future, but they need to add more talent to support the second-year receivers. Samori Toure is another guy to keep your eye on.
Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are unrestricted free agents with murky futures in Green Bay. Lazard probably wants too much money for Green Bay to keep him around and Cobb hasn’t provided much production in recent years.
If the Packers want to add someone with a high ceiling, there are plenty of options on the market. Here are four receivers who could help the Packers’ receiving corps get to the next level (while also representing a sizable threat to bottom out).
If the Green Bay Packers want to swing for the fences in free agency, they should target any of these four high-risk, high-reward free agent wide receivers.
N’Keal Harry
Harry was a first-round selection of the New England Patriots in 2019, but hasn’t lived up to the hype. He only spent his first three years in New England before moving on to Chicago last year. His best season came in 2020 when he caught 33 receptions for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
He has a nice size (6-foot-4) and speed (4.53 40-yard-dash) combination and could find his footing in Green Bay. He’ll require a minimal financial commitment to allow the Packers to get out of the deal at no to low cost. However, if he finally puts it together, the reward will be great.
Mecole Hardman
Hardman was fortunate enough to spend his first four years with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Green Bay should offer him a spot on the roster if he decides to move on. He has excellent speed and would fit perfectly in Matt LaFleur’s offense. He can stretch the field horizontally and vertically.
D.J. Chark
Chark is a big name that hasn’t lived up to the hype quite yet. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Detroit Lions last year to turn in a solid season and boost his value. Unfortunately, the injury bug bit him again and he’s only played in 15 games over the last two years combined.
When healthy, he’s a game-changer. He can stretch the field vertically and strike fear into opposing secondaries’ hearts. It will cost the Packers more to sign him than any other player on this list, but the reward could also be the highest.
5 free agents Packers should avoid. dark. Next
Parris Campbell
Campbell is flying under the radar on most free agent lists, but he could be just the guy the Packers need. He battled injuries for the first three years of his career, but was finally able to stay healthy with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. He also had a tremendous season, posting 63 receptions for 629 yards and three touchdowns. He could continue that upward trajectory as the third receiver on the Packers.