For 22 years, the Green Bay Packers have gone without drafting a wide receiver in the first round – a streak fans often bemoan, particularly when reflecting on the 2020 draft.
Many still point to the missed opportunity to select Tee Higgins, which could have given Aaron Rodgers another weapon as his career in Green Bay began nearing its end. Three years later, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a fan favorite, but the Packers passed on him to select Lukas Van Ness in the first round.
The Packers still enter the 2025 NFL Draft with a pressing need at receiver. While Brian Gutekunst hasn’t selected a wideout in the first round during his tenure, he said he’s willing to draft one if a player they like is on the board.
“I don’t think we’d ever hesitate to take a receiver in the first round if the right one was there,” Gutekunst said at the combine. “We certainly talked about it at different times in the last seven years since I’ve been in this spot, trying to make that happen.”
Wide receiver should be in play for Green Bay in the first round. However, until the Packers pull the trigger, a wideout on Day 1 will continue to feel like a surprise.
Still, all the stars are aligning, and every piece of the puzzle appears favorable for Green Bay to finally end their two-decade streak of not selecting a wide receiver in the first round.
Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are slated to become unrestricted free agents in 2026. Doubs finished third in targets and second in receptions for the Packers last season but dealt with setbacks, including two concussions and a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
With the Buffalo Bills extending Khalil Shakir for over $15 million per year, that deal could be a baseline for a potential Doubs contract. However, would the Packers be willing to allocate that kind of money to Doubs, especially given his recent health concerns and that he hasn’t developed into a true No. 1 receiver?
Watson suffered a torn ACL in the final game of the 2024 regular season and is expected to return no earlier than December 2025. That timeline alone will delay any potential contract negotiations. While Watson has flashed game-breaking speed and big-play potential, his ongoing injury history is a serious concern for Green Bay’s front office.
Watson’s setbacks are not his fault; he’s had bad luck. However, this is a straightforward business decision from Green Bay’s perspective. Given the missed time and durability concerns, it’s unlikely the team will commit to a long-term extension.
There’s a possibility Doubs and Watson won’t be on the roster in 2026. That uncertainty adds to Green Bay’s urgency to invest in receiver early in the draft.
The Packers don’t need to worry about Jayden Reed’s and Dontayvion Wicks’ contracts just yet – both are entering the third year of their rookie deals and still have one more season before hitting unrestricted free agency. The concern with them is more performance-based. In 2024, Reed and Wicks ranked inside the top three in drop rate among wide receivers with at least 40 targets.
Uncertainty surrounds Green Bay’s top four wide receivers. Two could be off the roster by 2026, and the other two took a step back in 2024. The long-term outlook of the position group is far from promising, and when you factor in performance concerns and contract timelines, using a first-round pick on a wideout in the 2025 draft becomes an increasingly appealing option.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists edge rusher or defensive lineman as the favorite for Green Bay’s first-round pick this year When comparing the defensive line to the wide receiver group, there’s a noticeable imbalance in long-term investment.
The Packers have committed considerable resources to the defensive front, with big-money contracts for Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. They also used first-round picks on Lukas Van Ness and Devonte Wyatt. Whether fans are sold on their performance or not, Green Bay has made its investment upfront. Meanwhile, no wide receiver on the roster carries a significant contract or was drafted in the first round.
The 2025 draft feels like the year where Brian Gutekunst finally has a legitimate reason to select a wide receiver in the first round. While the Packers likely believe their current group can develop and turn things around, there’s no harm in adding premium talent to the position. Investing early at wide receiver would raise the unit’s floor and provide much-needed upside for a team with long-term questions at the position.
