It’s that time of year again. Aaron Rodgers is dominating the headlines with his imminent decision. The coverage, conflicting reports, and speculation have been so overwhelming that we’ve hardly had an opportunity to talk about which receivers we are going to beg Brian Gutekunst to select in the first round. Whether it’s Rodgers under center or the more likely option, Jordan Love, the offense undoubtedly needs receiving depth alongside Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
According to Justis Mosqueda of Acme Packing Co., the Packers hold Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt in high regard. Hyatt is relatively undersized at 6’0”, 185 lbs., but he runs a 4.40. Green Bay’s interest in a slot receiver is noteworthy considering Gutekunst’s preference for size in pass-catchers. In his first draft back in 2018, he selected J’Mon Moore (6’4”), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6’4”), and Equanimeous St. Brown (6’5”).
They cut the only significant aberration, 5’9” Amari Rodgers, midway through his second season. Perhaps that’s a cautionary tale about the danger of waiting too long and winding up with a slot receiver sans an ideal set of intangibles. Green Bay’s interest in Hyatt, and Chris Olave a year ago, signals their desire to find their Randall Cobb of the future, even if the Cobb of the past continues to hang around.
As signs increasingly point to a Rodgers departure, it’s time for the front office to build an offense Love can lead back to the playoffs. The elite backfield duo of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon will return. The above-average offensive line has a chance to return to elite form with David Bakhtiari. And Watson and Doubs are set to lead the wideout room in their sophomore seasons.
Love and Watson flashed their potential on a memorable 63-yard touchdown connection in Philadelphia. But LaFleur has shown a preference for a shorter passing attack in Love’s limited outings. Watson proved his ability down the field and in the red zone during his late-season breakout. However, his 14.9 yards per reception (10th in the league) suggests a quick slot receiver like Hyatt or Boston College’s Zay Flowers might be an excellent complement to help Love convert third downs and beat zone defenses. That will allow Watson and Doubs to play to their strengths instead of having to shoulder the load.
Hyatt was a home-run hitter in Josh Heupel’s offense at Tennessee, streaking up the field from the slot and getting behind safeties. They also used him frequently with quick-hitters, plays I could most easily see translating to Green Bay’s offense. LaFleur loves to mix up first-down play-calling with flats to Robert Tonyan, in addition to outside screens. Hyatt’s game-breaking speed and improved physicality in his junior season will create a ton of opportunities for the quick-passing packages while bringing another big-play threat into the fold.
Adding a receiver during the draft is particularly important because of how slim the pickings are in the open market. Allen Lazard, Green Bay’s own receiver, is considered among the top three in this year’s class. Given the salary cap war currently taking place, guys like Jakobi Meyers are likely off the table just due to how gargantuan receiver contracts have become. This same line of thought likely rules out a DeAndre Hopkins trade.
All eyes will be on Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense this offseason, as the NFL world anxiously awaits the result of a grueling, four-year transfer of power. Bringing in another dynamic receiver to man the slot will be crucial for Green Bay’s hopes of taking advantage of a relatively weak NFC. Of course, at the time I am writing this, a Rodgers return is still in play. But the same rule applies after watching the offense in 2022. Picking 15th in the draft, and perhaps elsewhere in the early rounds depending on potential trade compensation, the Packers have a chance to get Hyatt, Flowers, or someone else they find comparable. It could be one of the more intriguing moves in a tumultuous offseason.
