4 Wide Receivers for Packers to Draft Following the Combine

Like all 32 teams in the NFL, the Green Bay Packers spent last week in Indianapolis evaluating prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite having a young, stacked roster across all positions, the Packers need reinforcements for next season. Due to their limited cap space, those reinforcements have to come via the draft.

That is why general manager Brian Gutekunst has to continue his solid drafting track record this year.

The biggest positional needs for the Packers are on the defensive side of the ball. Safety, cornerback, and linebacker will almost certainly be prioritized, but considering the number of picks the Packers have in the draft, adding depth in other positions will also be an objective.

The Packers have five picks in the top 100 of the draft; one first-rounder, two second-rounders, and two third-rounders. After glaring needs are addressed on the first day, lower-priority positions will be the focus.

One of those positions is the wide receiver. It's lower on the list of priorities but Gutekunst didn't rule out drafting a receiver. In fact, he told Larry McCarren of Packers.com last week that he believes in bringing more competition to every room, including the receiver corps.

Here are four receivers the Packers can consider with one of their later picks in the top 100.

Ricky Pearsall, Florida

Pearsall's draft stock has been rising steadily since the Senior Bowl and his Combine performance may have pushed him out of the Packers' reach. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and had the sixth-best vertical with a 42-inch leap.

The Florida product should be an excellent deep threat from the get-go in the NFL. His speed and quickness would be a great asset for a quarterback like Jordan Love. In 2022, Pearsall averaged a whopping 20 yards per catch playing with Anthony Richardson.

Brenden Rice, USC

Despite being under the overwhelming shadow of his Hall of Famer father, Jerry Rice, Brenden has managed to carve out an impressive collegiate career of his own.

After being a three-star recruit for the University of Colorado, Rice's career didn't take off until he transferred to the University of Southern California in 2022. In his senior year, Brenden had 45 receptions, 791 yards, and 12 touchdowns in as many games.

Brenden Rice is a scoring machine who has a touchdown for every 5.2 catches. He also averaged a very solid 17.6 yards per catch in 2023. He projects to be a big-play threat.

There aren't too many prospects who have been blessed with the genetics that Brenden has. This is showcased by his 6-3, 215-pound frame, as close to a prototypical X-receiver you are going to get in the NFL. He is big, strong, and has excellent speed for his size. His wide catch radius will make him a solid red-zone and third-down target for Jordan Love.

Rice is currently no. 76 on PFF's big board and has been mocked as a third-round or fourth-round pick in most drafts. The Packers could certainly use this playmaking threat with one of their Day 2 or Day 3 picks.

Luke McCaffrey, Rice

Another wide receiver prospect who is coming from NFL royalty bloodlines is Luke McCaffrey, son of three-time Super Bowl winner Ed McCaffrey and younger brother of future Hall of Famer Christian McCaffrey.

Luke McCaffrey was a relative unknown heading into the NFL Combine but drew significant attention when he beat his brother in the 40-yard dash.

After starting his collegiate career as a quarterback, Luke followed in his father's footsteps and switched to a full-time receiver role. He immediately became one of the best receivers in the AAC, finishing 2023 with 71 catches, 992 yards, and 13 touchdowns in as many games.

McCaffrey lacks the high upside some of the names mentioned on this list have, but he has the potential to be a very valuable scheme-specific player. Unlike his father, he struggles with blocking and doesn't have the explosion and vertical speed that elite receivers have.

He projects to be more of a slot receiver thanks to his IQ and ability to make contested catches. Similar to his brother, he has the on-ground speed to pick up yards after he breaks the first tackle.

If the Packers want a high-floor, low-ceiling type of player, McCaffrey could be their guy. Plus, he should be available on Day 3 after the Packers addressed the most imminent needs in earlier rounds.

Malik Washington, Virginia

Another intriguing WR prospect that has scheme-specific value is Malik Washington of the Virginia Cavaliers. As one of the smallest receivers in the draft at 5'8 and 191 pounds, Washington isn't going to win a ton of one-on-one matchups. This could be a blessing in disguise as he could potentially fall farther in the draft than he should.

However, that may be less likely after his impressive showing at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. At 42.5", he had the best vertical jump out of all receivers. Combine that with a 4.47 40-yard dash, and Washington plays much bigger than his size indicates.

In his one season in Virginia, Washington finished with FBS-best 110 catches, 1426 yards, and nine touchdowns. He had a whopping 711 yards after the catch in 2023, demonstrating how difficult it is to bring him down thanks to his speed and strength. He is explosive, and fluid and has impressive body control thanks to his low center of gravity.

Every metric, drill, and stat points to a player who can exceed his shortcomings. He will likely be confined to the slot because of his size but his playmaking ability makes him a higher-upside pick than your regular slot receiver.

He was projected to be a Day 3 selection ahead of the Combine but how far he will rise remains to be seen. The Packers shouldn't miss the opportunity to draft him if he falls to them at a reasonable pick.

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