Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks entered the 2023 season as a backup on the depth chart. A fifth-round pick out of Virginia, he was battling for a role behind Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.
He earned the No. 4 receiver spot, and when injuries arose, he was thrust into the lineup. That can be jarring for some rookies, but Dontayvion Wicks responded well. He ended up playing in 15 games, making six starts and playing 47 percent of the snaps.
The most was made of those opportunities, as he caught 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns. He proved that a larger role was warranted, and Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report believes he is in for a breakout campaign.
Gagnon believes that Romeo Doubs’ role on the boundary that Wicks could be coming for. Last season, he saw his largest play time increase when Christian Watson dealt with his hamstring injuries.
Given the youthfulness of the Packers’ wide receiver group, no one has yet to lock down a surefire, every-down role. That leaves wiggle room for the coaching staff to mix things up and openings for a player to seize a larger role.
Dontayvion Wicks has certainly earned that bigger role. Last season, he caught 67.2 percent of his targets, which was better than Doubs and Watson. His 14.9 yards per reception is also a very strong number and was only topped by Watson on the team.
Matt LaFleur and Adam Stenavich have to find a way to get him on the field more even if the team’s skill position players can stay healthy. He has the size and skill to find success at every level of the field and is a willing blocker in the run game.
While Dontayvion Wicks is currently listed as a backup for the Packers, that could change by the time the regular season rolls around. A strong offseason program and training camp will put him in a position for even more playing time.
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