With WR a need, does 1st round drought for Packers continue?

You know how the story goes. The Green Bay Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2002 when they selected Javon Walker. Although it is once again a need for the team, I expect that drought to continue.

The need for the Packers at the position is evident. They have just five receivers on the roster currently, and only three have any NFL experience. In addition to depth, Green Bay also needs more steady playmaking at the position, which in part hopefully comes from Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson making Year 2 jumps, but even if that happens, the Packers still need more.

However, adding to this position group will likely have to come on Day 2 of the draft and beyond. This year’s wide receiver draft class isn’t as top-heavy as previous years have been. For the most part, there are only four receivers who are regularly projected to be selected in the first round.

Zay Flowers and Jordan Addison are two of them, and neither will likely be in play for Green Bay at this point. It’s well known that the Packers often covet big-bodied receivers, with most standing 6’0″ and weighing at least 195 pounds. Flowers, however, is 5’9″ – 182, while Addison is 5’11” – 171 and posted a Relative Athletic Score of just 5.92. For reference, 72% of Brian Gutekunst’s draft picks have scored 8.0 or higher.

That leaves Quentin Johnston and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Johnston checks many of the boxes that the Packers look for at receiver from a size and athleticism standpoint but is seemingly more likely to be selected in the latter portion of the first round, well after the Packers pick at 15.

Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, considered by many the top receiver in this draft class and very well could be off the board before Green Bay is even on the clock. Philadelphia at 10 and Tennessee at 11 are two prime landing spots for him.

This means that the Packers’ best chance of landing him may have to come from them trading up, but as I outlined here in greater detail, Green Bay should be looking to trade back more so than moving up in this year’s draft.

Smith-Njigba would be very good compliment to Watson with his ability to play inside and win underneath in a variety of ways. The hope for the Packers if they want to land Smith-Njigba without trading up is that there is a run on positions of depth at the top of the draft (edge rusher, cornerbacks, offensive tackle, and as always, a few quarterbacks) along with either Flowers or Addison being the first receiver off the board as well.

So just like that, even with receiver being a priority for the Packers, the opportunity to select one in the first round may not even be there.

Instead, the Packers will probably have to look to Day 2 for their answer. A few second and third-round options could include Rashee Rice, Jonathan Mingo, Cedric Tillman, AT Perry, and Michael Wilson, among others.

Tight end could end up being an option for the Packers at pick 15, given their need at the position, and it is one of the strengths of this draft class–although historically has not been a position that Green Bay prioritizes. The interior defensive line and safety are other major needs for the Packers, but like receiver, they may be short on options at each at this stage of the draft. Edge rusher, offensive tackle, and even cornerback might end up being the most likely options for the Packers.