The Green Bay Packers have talent in their wide receiver room, but there is almost no experience. Currently, the team has no wide receiver with more than one accrued season in the NFL; Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, and Bo Melton are all second-year players. Jeff Cotton has been in the league since 2020, but he has only played one game, back in 2021.
During the offseason, the Packers lost Allen Lazard to the New York Jets. Randall Cobb is still a free agent. Even the most-experienced practice squad receivers, Juwann Winfree and Travis Fulgham, haven’t re-signed.
That’s why head coach Matt LaFleur said on Tuesday they will try to add another piece.
“I think some veteran leadership would be nice. Although I think guys like Allen (Lazard) and Randall (Cobb) did such a great job last year taking those guys (Watson and Doubs) under their wing and showing them the ropes, and expectations, the practice habits that you need to have to go out there to play at a high level. But, yeah, we’re going to have to add some bodies to that room certainly.”
However, the Packers are running out of options.
Missed opportunities
The Packers are fifth in cap space, with $22 million, but they have almost no flexibility left to create more space. The team still has to sign their free-agency class and operate during the season. They will also lose $9 million against the cap with the Aaron Rodgers trade, so they can’t spend much. But even so, the team could have signed some inexpensive pieces who ended up elsewhere.
For example, D.J. Chark was a name I suggested for the Packers earlier in the offseason. However, he signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers, and with adding four void years his cap hit will be just $1.86 million — an amount Green Bay easily could have afforded. Mecole Hardman signed with the New York Jets for $3 million, with bonuses that might elevate his total gains, but the cap hit is still $1.87 million. Parris Campbell signed with the New York Giants for $5 million.
Now, there are not many great options available.
Free agency
The Packers could still re-sign Randall Cobb or sign older receivers like Marvin Jones or Jarvis Landry. But that idea doesn’t make much sense considering the roster timeline. While experience is important, the Packers need younger players who can produce for multiple years.
Kenny Golladay is probably the better free-agent option under 30. The former Detroit Lions and New York Giants receiver is 29 and hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2019. However, he played well in 2021. But the Giants relegated him to a backup role last year. He’s 6’4”, 214 lbs. At the time of his draft process, his Relative Athletic Score was 8.95, so he fits Green Bay’s physical profile.
N’Keal Harry is an even younger option. He’s 25 and played for the Chicago Bears last season after the New England Patriots traded him. He also has a good physical profile, but his production in the league has been way below average. Last year, even in Chicago’s depleted WR room, he had just 116 yards and one touchdown in seven games.
Other free-agent alternatives under 30 are Chosen Anderson, Byron Pringle, Olamide Zaccheaus, Breshad Perriman, Rashard Higgins, Richie James, Dante Pettis, Jalen Guyton, and Demarcus Robinson.
Odell Beckham is the most talented available player, but he’s completely out of Green Bay’s budget. If the Packers accept a player over 30, Julio Jones, Marvin Jones, Landry, and Damiere Byrd are available.
Trades
Combining all wide receiver and tight end salaries, nobody in the NFL spends less than the Packers — not even the Tennessee Titans, who traded away A.J. Brown. And if Green Bay can’t spend much more, trading for established players might be an alternative.
Corey Davis is the obvious one. He is still under contract with the Jets and might be a part of the Rodgers trade. However, that move would demand a contract adjustment. Davis is set to make $10.5 million this season, but he won’t actually make that kind of money. If the Jets don’t trade him, they will probably release him, so he could accept a pay cut.
The Denver Broncos appeared to be open to trading Jerry Jeudy. If the Packers acquire extra draft capital from the Jets, it could make sense to use that pick to get Jeudy. He still has one cheap year left on his rookie deal, at $2.68 million. His fifth-year option for 2024 will be $13 million. That’s a very good value for a player who is still 23 years old and, even though has not lived up to his pre-draft status, is a promising weapon.
The Packers still have options and a clear need to add to the wide receiver room. However, the most realistic scenarios are cheaper options to complete the room. The burden of the production will be on second-year players Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, and the Packers are counting on their development to support Jordan Love.
