Green Bay Packers

Veteran WRs Will Have the First Opportunity To Show Their Value In Green Bay

Photo Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers are in the middle of a movement to rebuild their offense without Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling but don’t expect it to be too rookie-friendly. While Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs can end up having designed roles in the offense, Aaron Rodgers‘s history suggests he will trust the older receivers to carry the burden – especially to start the season.

Rodgers values knowledge of the system, receivers who run precise routes, and building communication with his wideouts. Therefore, to have a higher offensive share, a player needs to perfectly understand the offense and how the quarterback sees it. While a rookie can do that, it’s unrealistic. That’s especially true when Rodgers compares the rookie to Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, veterans who have played with Rodgers for many years. Or even Sammy Watkins, who played under Matt LaFleur with the Los Angeles Rams.

That’s why rookies have never blossomed with Rodgers. There hasn’t been a rookie receiver with over 600 yards since Rodgers took over under center. Valdes-Scanting and Adams put up the best numbers by rookie receivers. MVS did it in a deep role in 2018, and Adams did it as a third receiver behind Jordy Nelson and Cobb in 2014.

Lazard has been with the Packers since 2018, when Brian Gutekunst signed him off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad in December. He grew as a player and ended up as Green Bay’s second-best wide receiver last season. He finished with 513 yards and eight touchdowns, both career highs.

“Excited about Allen Lazard,” Rodgers said during a press conference last week. “He’s been our dirty work guy for most of his career here. Now he’s getting an opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver. So, I’m not worried at all about him stepping into that role. I talk to him a lot. I know how he takes care of his body. I know he’ll be ready when he’s here.”

Randall Cobb has a special relationship with Aaron Rodgers. They played together for eight seasons before Cobb left in free agency. The slot receiver spent two years in Texas, playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, before coming back to Green Bay in a trade requested by Rodgers as a sign of peace between the quarterback and the front office.

Cobb didn’t put up impressive numbers in his first year in Matt LaFleur’s system, but his ability helped in games like the ones against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, and Los Angeles Rams. And his experience is a significant factor for the Packers, both as a player and as a mentor for the young receivers, as he has shown during OTAs and the mandatory minicamp.

Watkins presents a unique situation. He is the only unrestricted free agent Green Bay added when they rebuilt their WR room, but his inexpensive contract doesn’t even guarantee that he will make the roster. While the money doesn’t tell us Watkins is part of their mix, LaFleur’s word does. He said the former Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Baltimore Ravens receiver will be a big part of the offense – and should be even the X receiver.

“Obviously, we have history going back to L.A. together. So that definitely gives you a pretty good idea of what he’s capable of doing,” LaFleur said in his press conference. “I don’t think his game has fallen off at all since we were together in 2017. A little of it has been maybe a little bit of lack of opportunity. But I think he’s a guy that’s out there working hard. And he’s going to be a big part of our offense.”

Watkins was effective during his time with the Rams. He had 539 yards (more than Lazard has ever had in the NFL) and eight touchdowns, the second-highest number of his career.

“My career hasn’t been what I projected it to be,” said Watkins. “It’s a great opportunity for me to come here, play hard, catch a ton of balls, compete at the highest level and win games and fight to stay healthy. That’s been the knock on my career – to stay on the field. I think this is the best place to stay healthy, stay on the field and catch a lot of ball.”

As the season goes on, rookies will have more chances to prove their value. But Rodgers doesn’t trust them just because of draft stock. Therefore, the veterans will have the first opportunity to make an impact on this new version of the Packers’ offense.

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