Think of your favorite NFL team for a second. If you’re a Green Bay Packers fan, I have a question for you: do they have a WR1?
The short answer is: Green Bay does not. The last time they had one was when Davante Adams was here from 2014-2021. After his departure, many of us questioned how they would replace his production. Fast forward to today, and the answer to that concern isn’t just one guy. Nor is it two. Green Bay has four guys that will be pivotal weapons in this passing attack: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks.
Four Is More Than One
It’s common sense. Four is more than one. In football terms, it is difficult to guard four wide receivers at the same time.
That may work out in the Packers’ favor. All four of Watson, Doubs, Reed, and Wicks can hurt you if you let them.
Christian Watson
Let’s start with Watson, who the Packers drafted in the second round in 2022. At 6’4″, 208 lbs, many thought he would be the direct Adams replacement. He didn’t make much noise, catching only 41 balls for 611 yards and seven touchdowns. But, there were times when he showed he could be a threat at the professional level. He had three games of 100+ receiving yards, including a four-catch, 107-yard performance against the Cowboys where he had three touchdowns.
Watson did struggle with the injury bug in 2023. However, he still had five touchdowns in nine games played, including a seven-catch, 71-yard performance against the Kansas City Chiefs where he also scored two touchdowns. When healthy, he is a scoring threat on the outside and in the red zone.
Romeo Doubs
A 2022 fourth-round pick from Nevada, the 24-year-old really shined in 2023 as one of Jordan Love‘s top targets. Appearing in all 17 games, he had 674 yards on 59 catches and eight touchdowns.
The 6’2″ wideout had a few notable performances during the regular season, including a nine-catch, 95-yard performance against the Detroit Lions in week four.
He really stepped up in the postseason, starting with the wild-card game against the Cowboys. Doubs led the team with six catches for 151 yards and a score, helping Green Bay take care of Dallas 48-32.
Even though the Packers did end up falling in the divisional round against the 49ers, he still had a solid four-catch, 83-yard performance.
Despite being in the same draft class as his teammate Christian Watson, Doubs has shown he’s had a better start to his career compared to him and is consistently on the field for his quarterback to be depended on.
Jayden Reed
Another second-round wide receiver (will the Packers ever draft a wideout in the first round), 2023 was a solid season for the rookie.
Reed actually led the team in receiving last season, catching 64 passes for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. On New Year’s Eve, he shined with a six-catch, 89-yard performance against the Vikings with two touchdowns.
His 2023 season set rookie records across the board, and with comparisons to well-known Packers wideout Randall Cobb, he has a chance to shine once again.
Out of all the wideouts on the team, he had the most touches with 75 of them. Because of his ability to catch the ball or receive handoffs, he is a dual-threat weapon that can make big plays at any moment. Drafted as a main slot receiver, he is explosive and his speed will help him plays after the catch.
Dontayvion Wicks
A 2023 late-round pick, he never stood out as much until late in the season.
The former Virginia product caught people’s eyes in week 11, racking up 91 receiving yards on three catches against the Los Angeles Chargers. He would have another 90+ yard performance weeks later against the Buccaneers and capped off the regular season with a six-catch, 61-yard performance against the Chicago Bears in week 17.
Wicks also had a touchdown in the wild-card game against Dallas. Though he may not be called upon to be a WR1/WR2 with the guys ahead of him, he is just another dependable weapon for Jordan Love due to his size and solid route-running ability.
Defenses Better Be Ready
At the end of the day, one thing is for certain. All four of these wide receivers can hurt you at any moment and have shown their potential based off of their past performances.
The Packers believe in the philosophy that you don’t need a WR1 to succeed and win games. When you have four wideouts that can really play, defenses will struggle to contain all of them.
Jordan Love has the luxury of a team around him. The Packers are coming and will make fans forget they had Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams if things go as planned.
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Featured Image: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
