The Green Bay Packers have never taken more than six receivers on their 53-man roster during the Matt LaFleur era. This season, though, could be very different.
Davante Adams is no longer on the roster, as the Packers traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2021, Adams was the target of 169 of 531 of Aaron Rodgers’ passing attempts. That is approximately 32% of all of Rodgers’ passes. For the most part, it worked. The Packers went 13-4 in the regular season, Rodgers won his fourth MVP, and Adams set the team record for receiving yards and receptions.
With Adams gone, the offense is going to look very different. This could mean the team is diverting from its norm and carrying seven wide receivers. Aaron Rodgers’ most recent interview certainly indicates he wants the Packers to do so.
Aaron Rodgers’ interview has strong comments for bubble WRs
It is no secret that Aaron Rodgers has immensely high expectations for the players, especially on offense. Why, just the other day at practice, Romeo Doubs (who has been tearing up training camp) made one mistake, and Rodgers signaled to the sideline for a new wide receiver.
That said, Aaron Rodgers also praised Doubs in a recent interview after practice.
87, as many know by now, is Romeo Doubs. 88 is Juwann Winfree.
Will the Packers carry 7 wide receivers?
Before this question is answered, let us first lay out all the wide receivers with a shot at earning a spot on the 53-man roster (apologies to Danny Davis in advance):
- Allen Lazard
- Randall Cobb
- Amari Rodgers
- Sammy Watkins
- Christian Watson
- Romeo Doubs
- Juwann Winfree
- Samori Toure
- Malik Taylor
There are nine wide receivers listed above. If the Packers take six, three will be cut. Cutting even two, based on what we’ve seen in camp and in Aaron Rodgers’ interview, will be difficult.
What Packers Receivers Should Be Considered Locks for the 53-Man Roster?
While some wide receivers are having better camps than others, there are a few that should be considered locks for the roster. Allen Lazard, for one, is believed to be gunning for the wide receiver one position. It is definitely his to lose, and he has the Aaron Rodgers endorsement. Randall Cobb took a pay cut to stay with the Packers and is Rodgers’ best friend on the team. Amari Rodgers, Christian Watson, and Romeo Doubs are all recent high-round draft picks.
Now, this brings up an interesting question: will Christian Watson be ready for the regular season? The Packers have no timetable for his return. While the team says he is improving, there is not any indication that he is close to being able to come off of the PUP list. Watson’s availability could be a determining factor in how many wide receivers get chosen.
Let’s assume that he is healthy enough to start the season. In that case, the Packers have five wide receivers that could be considered absolute locks for the 53-man roster.
What Packers Receivers on the Bubble Have the Best Chance Based on Aaron Rodgers’ Interview?
Subtracting the five players above, Watkins, Toure, Winfree, and Taylor are left to compete for one or two spots on the 53-man roster. Sammy Watkins signed a one-year $1.85 million deal, but only $350,000 is guaranteed before the season starts. If the Packers choose to go with six wide receivers and choose Winfree or Toure over Watkins, he would be an easy cut decision. It’s not like he has made much noise in camp. Aaron Rodgers’ interview also did not speak on Watson.
Malik Taylor, too, has not been making much noise at camp. That leaves Samori Toure and Juwann Winfree, who have been turning heads at camp. Both can play special teams and do not have the injury history that Watkins does.
Conclusion On Aaron Rodgers’ Interview & Packers Receivers
To recap, after hearing Aaron Rodgers’ interview, I think there are eight wide receivers with a legitimate chance of making the 53-man roster: Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Sammy Watkins, Samori Toure, and Juwann Winfree. As Rodgers stated in the video above, he really likes both Doubs and Winfree. The latter of the two are on the roster bubble.
Taking seven wide receivers on the 53-man roster may be the Packers’ best shot of ensuring the most talented overall players are on the team. If Watson is unable to come off of the PUP before the season, the decision becomes very easy of which ones to take. If he is healthy, well, it will be very interesting.
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