The Green Bay Packers last kept seven wide receivers on the roster in 2021. Despite having an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in Davante Adams, the rest of that group lacked inspiration and confidence.
Three years later, the Packers have stacked their receiver room with talent. Romeo Doubs has emerged as Jordan Love‘s go-to target in training camp. Jayden Reed scored 10 touchdowns last year. Dontayvion Wicks is one of the NFL’s best against man coverage. Christian Watson remains the most dynamic weapon on offense, with his last healthy stretch resulting in 165 yards and three touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions.
Other guys have also stepped up. Malik Heath caught what most Packers fans believed was the game-winning touchdown on Monday Night Football against the Giants before Green Bay’s defense allowed Tommy DeVito to easily march into field goal range. Bo Melton came through in a clutch New Year’s Eve performance against the Vikings in a win-or-go-home game, catching six passes for over 100 yards.
Grant DuBose has had a solid start to the preseason. In the first preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, he led the team in targets, catches, and yards. His contributions to the running game were just as crucial.
On Saturday, Matt LaFleur highlighted a couple of DuBose’s plays to the team as examples of model execution. Last year, Malik Heath earned a roster spot due to his run-blocking ability. DuBose’s skills in that area could secure his place on the roster this year.
Doubs, Reed, Watson, and Wicks are the core of the receiver room and locks for the final roster. Bo Melton had three drops against Cleveland, but it’s hard to overlook his crucial role for Green Bay at the end of last year. He can also serve as a deep threat if Watson struggles with injuries. While Watson clocked a 4.36 at the 2022 Combine, Melton matched that with a 4.34.
Green Bay would be well-served with Heath as the sixth option in the receiver room, though he’d likely be ranked higher on most other teams. Heath played 139 run-blocking snaps for the Packers and had more yards after catch per reception last year than Romeo Doubs.
If DuBose maintains his strong preseason performance, Green Bay will have no choice but to secure him a spot on the 53-man roster. His impressive route awareness, including precise toe drags near the sideline and solid blocking efforts, highlights his value. He delivered a crucial block near the goal line in Emanuel Wilson’s touchdown run against the Browns.
With two solid receiving threats at tight end in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, the Packers may find it challenging to keep seven wide receivers. Allocating nine roster spots to the pass-catching group might be just a bit much. Consequently, between Heath, Melton, and DuBose, one is likely to be placed on the practice squad, risking another team signing them to their active roster. If you are Brian Gutekunst or Matt LaFleur, is it worth risking losing a potentially valuable player for Jordan Love and the rest of the offense?
