The Green Bay Packers have never been shy about moving up or down for the players they want in the draft. And they have a chance to completely revamp their wide receiver room this offseason.
Romeo Doubs’s future in Green Bay is uncertain after the team suspended him last year, and Christian Watson’s injury will sideline him for most of, if not the entire regular season. The Packers absolutely must add to the wide receiver room.
They brought in former Kansas City Chiefs speedster Mecole Hardman, but he fits more as a special-teams player than a true offensive addition. The Packers also have Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, but they are coming off disappointing sophomore seasons in which they dealt with injuries and drop issues. Neither Bo Melton nor Malik Heath should stop Green Bay from adding talent through the draft.
The Packers addressed the interior offensive line and corner through free agency, so those became less pressing draft needs. Aaron Banks helps solidify the interior, and Nate Hobbs will make an impact wherever he lines up in the defense.
This upcoming wide receiver class offers players with unique skillsets who could bolster Green Bay’s pass-catching room. It’s been over 20 years since the Packers took a receiver in the first round. However, we’ve seen them take three receivers in one class like in 2018.
If the stars align, it could look something like this for Green Bay:
Round 1 (26) – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
In a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Packers move down three spots and pick Burden. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka and Burden were there at 23, and Egbuka was taken two picks later at 25. The opportunity to add two third-round selections was too high a value to pass up.
Burden adds speed all over the field. Think of a receiver similar to Reed, with a slightly smaller frame and a little more acceleration. Burden is on the smaller side (5’11, 205 lbs.) of what the Packers typically target at wide receiver. However, with his burst and route running, he’d be a welcome addition to the passing attack.
The Packers have not shied away from taking players who had better tape two seasons before their draft year, like Jordan Love. That shouldn’t stop them from taking Burden here, who had a tremendous 2023-24 campaign.
Round 2 (54) – Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
I’m in love with Higgins and could not resist taking him when he was available here. He can do everything for you and excels at contested catches. With better quarterback play at Iowa State, he would have been a surefire first-round pick. At 6’4”, 214 lbs., Higgins gives the Packers size and speed on the boundary they desperately need.
Round 3 (87) – Elijah Roberts, EDGE, SMU
Roberts has been a PFF darling over the last two seasons at SMU, with grades over 90. Tack on 17 total sacks and four forced fumbles in two years, and you have a productive and powerful edge rusher who can add depth to a Packers’ edge room that needs a boost.
Round 3 (90) – Charles Grant, T, William & Mary
More of a developmental pick at tackle, Grant played against lesser competition but dominated. He has great feet and instincts and would excel in an evolutionary role behind Green Bay’s current tackles. Could give the Packers some extra insurance as the future swing tackle if Rasheed Walker is gone after this season.
Round 3 (101) – Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
An uber-productive wideout, Williams led Washington State with 1,196 yards and 14 touchdowns. He can run any route and has the big-play ability the Packers missed in their offense last season. He would be an instant upgrade over Heath and Melton.
Round 4 (124) – Nohl Williams, CB, Cal
Another Williams from the West Coast here in the fourth round gives the Packers three on the roster and two in the secondary. Williams was once the interception leader in college football and finished the season with seven of them. Would be a nice playmaking addition to the Green Bay’s corner room, especially if Jaire Alexander returns.
Round 5 (159) – Simeon Barrow Jr., DI, Miami
Barrow is a truly angry player who has tremendous power. He would be a nice addition on early downs for Green Bay as a run-stuffer who can pressure the quarterback. He’s a bit undersized for a traditional interior lineman, but Barrow makes up for it with his motor.
Round 6 (198) – Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
Pair the first-round wideout with his successful college quarterback. Cook has a cannon of an arm and helped to lead an SEC offense to new heights during his time at Mizzou. While he has some accuracy and decision-making concerns, Cook often makes up for it with big plays through the air and on the ground. He could push Sean Clifford for the third QB spot.
Round 7 (250) – Cam Miller, CB, Penn State
The Packers took a Penn State corner in the seventh round last season with Kalen King, and Miller has a similar build. He has good man instincts and could play a versatile role for the Packers, but there is probably nothing special here in the seventh, just added depth at cornerback.
This draft class would give Green Bay a wideout room of Doubs, Reed, Burden, Higgins, Wicks, Williams, and Hardman, plus additions to the edge and corner groups with a developmental tackle. That’s a serious upgrade across the board for Green Bay.
