There wasn’t too much to get excited about when it came to the Green Bay Packers Week 2 performance. The team lost 25-24 on the road to the Atlanta Falcons, falling just short of becoming the first team in franchise history to start the season on the road and go 2-0.
Green Bay has no one to blame but itself as they had plenty of chances to close out the game for a victory. But, they were unable to protect a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter as the offense stalled and the defense looked worn down.
One of the few standouts in the game was rookie wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. The fifth-rounder has seen a sizable role in the offense the first two weeks of the season with Christian Watson sidelined because of a hamstring injury.
In Week 2, Wicks led the team with 40 yards receiving, catching two passes and scoring a touchdown. He also created two missed tackles, which resulted in him being one of the highest-graded players on the team in Week 2.
Making an impact on the stat sheet is important, but Wicks is getting the job done even when the ball isn’t in his hands. He has done such a good job, head coach Matt LaFleur heaped some praise on him earlier this week.
“What we’ve seen in practice has been great,” said LaFleur about Wicks. “He’s done a nice job. He always knows what he’s doing, whether it’s in walkthroughs or in practice, he doesn’t make many mistakes. I thought that he played physical (in Week 1) and did his job.”
The only wide receiver who has played more in the first two weeks of the season than Wicks is Romeo Doubs. He has stepped right into the role that Watson would normally have and played as well as the team could have hoped for.
He has filled a number of roles for the team, playing both on the perimeter and in the slot. While his numbers don’t jump off the page, he has impressed the coaching staff with his execution and attention to detail.
“He’s a guy that’s very intelligent,” added LaFleur. “He works his butt off. He always has a ton of questions. So we’ve got complete confidence that he’ll be able to go out there and execute.”
Wicks isn’t going to blow by opponents with blazing speed. He isn’t the most physically gifted player but he more than makes up for it with his high football IQ and preparedness.
Once the Packers are healthy with Watson and Aaron Jones back in the fold, the personnel will change. But, Wicks has played well enough to earn a role even when the team is at 100 percent, drawing a bold comment from offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich.
“He’s got all the tools,” said Stenavich prior to Week 1. “He does. He’s got good size, good speed, good hands. I think he‘s a guy that as he keeps getting experience, sky’s the limit for him….He’s bigger than Romeo, as far as size and stuff like that, but he’s in that same mold.”
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