Which Packers wide receiver will emerge as Jordan Love's top target?

In finishing 9-8 and earning a wild-card berth in 2023, the Green Bay Packers got a remarkable showing from first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love and his young receiving corps. The dynamic group of receivers allowed Love to distribute the ball effectively among his targets.

As he enters his second season as a starter, expectations will rise for Love, who has said he won't practice in training camp until he gets a new contract.

When he returns, who will emerge as Love's favorite wideout target? Here are the candidates.

The main contenders

Christian Watson: He followed one of the best rookie seasons among wide receivers in 2022 (seven TD catches) in 11 games started with an injury plagued 2023 season.

In nine games, Watson had 28 receptions for 422 yards and five TD catches. His impressive blend of speed (4.36 speed in the 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine) and size (6-foot-4 and 208 pounds) make him a significant threat on deep routes and after the catch, as reflected in his 15.1 yards per reception last season. 

A full season of Watson may allow Love to throw even more in 2024 than he did last season (579 attempts, tied for fifth in the NFL).

Romeo Doubs: Playing in all 17 regular-season games last season, Doubs had 59 receptions for 674 yards and eight TD catches.

The third-year receiver's knack for getting open early in his routes made him a nightmare matchup for defenders. That's a skill that he displayed in the playoffs last season when he racked up 10 catches for 234 yards and a touchdown over two games.

Love frequently praises Doubs, calling him one of his favorite targets and a crucial element of the team's offense, especially in its 48-32 playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys.

"You can see just that fire in his eyes that whole week going into the Dallas game," Love said in an interview on FanDuel TV with Kay Adams. "Just going into that game how locked in he was, and you know, he has a killer mindset."

Jayden Reed: The second-round pick had a remarkable rookie season in 2023 with 793 receiving yards on 64 receptions and eight TD catches, leading the team in all three categories.

Though he's a receiver, Reed also showed versatility in the rushing game with 119 yards on 11 touches and two touchdowns. Reed's multi-faceted play style makes him an invaluable asset to Love and the entire offense.

The dark horse

Dontayvion Wicks: Wicks burst onto the scene late in his rookie season, steadily earning more playing time as the season progressed.

In 15 games, he racked up 581 receiving yards on 39 receptions, demonstrating his ability to be a reliable target for Love.

Like Doubs, Wicks made a memorable impact in the Packers' wild-card win against the Cowboys, snagging a 20-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

His 2023 performance suggests that with continued improvement and chemistry building with Love, Wicks is poised for a breakout season.