After quarterback, the most exciting offensive position a team can draft for is wide receiver. Despite the success of the Packers’ 2022 draft picks Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, a need still exists in Green Bay.
Rounding out the Green and Gold’s thin receiver core are Samori Toure (who was also a 2022 draft pick), Bo Melton, and Jeff Cotton. For their entire careers, all three receivers have combined for five catches, 82 yards, and one touchdown. All of those stats belong to Toure.
Green Bay has picks in all seven rounds, and could be adding more in the Rodgers deal. While fans are hopeful they look for a big time stud early there’s no telling when they’ll actually draft one.
Here are seven players to keep your eye on, one per round, who could provide an answer to Lambeau’s lack of receiving depth.
ROUND ONE: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
We are well aware of the Packers unwillingness to draft a first round receiver. The drought has now exceeded two decades. At 15 Njigba could buck the trend. Despite an injury-filled 2022 campaign, Smith-Njigba is an unbelievably reliable slot receiver who can enable Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs to play on the outside of the field. He plays in the middle of the field, can make tough catches, and provides elite route-running that the Packers have dearly missed since the departure of Davante Adams.
ROUND TWO: Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
It’s never bad to have the most recent Biletnikoff winner. Hyatt absolutely exploded onto the national scene in 2022 with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has been thought of as a one trick pony as a deep threat, but his jaw dropping 2022 campaign and big play ability may be enough to have Green Bay calling him on draft night. Hyatt opposite Watson on Sunday could give Jordan Love multiple game changing downfield options.
ROUND THREE: Rashee Rice, SMU
With Watson and Doubs showing big play ability, the acquisition of Rice could be a good value pick. He’s a possession receiver with soft hands, is a threat in the middle of the field, and has a superb catch radius. Another positive sign – his productivity increased each year he was at SMU.
ROUND FOUR: Parker Washington, Penn St.
The Penn State product is a strong, physical, low-center-of-gravity receiver who can also make an impact in the return game. He has the second highest contested catch win percentage in the 2023 class and has made multiple flashy, all-caps-caption-worthy one-handed catches, such as this one.
ROUND FIVE: Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
While he may lack the explosive, big play ability that drops jaws, Hutch is a technician of the position. He ran a variety of routes at Iowa State, played nearly everywhere on the field, has excellent body control and footwork, and has a high football IQ. He is everything you want in a possession receiver.
ROUND SIX: Elijah Higgins, Stanford
The first thing that jumps out about Higgins is his size – 6’3 and 235 will absolutely catch some eyes. While he may be lacking in areas such as speed and separation, Higgins is a plus-route runner in the slot with good hands and an innate ability to create yards after the catch. That sort of size in the slot paired with an elite tight end drafted early can transform the offense.
ROUND SEVEN: Jalen Wayne, Southern Alabama
If that last name seems familiar to you, you would be right – the Southern Alabama standout is the nephew of Colts Hall-of-Famer Reggie Wayne. Wayne is a physical and versatile receiver who, like Washington, can make an impact on special teams. He’s a very raw prospect with good size and long arms. The Packers have four picks in the seventh round and taking a flyer on an athlete like that would never be a bad idea.
