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Packers Blockbuster Trade Proposal Clears Wide Receiver Logjam 1 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) during their football game Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Packers need Dontayvion Wicks leap year more than ever after brutal injury to Jayden Reed

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 2:33 PM ET

Entering the year, Green Bay Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks was already under pressure to show convincing growth. While his targets went up as a sophomore, he brought in a lower percentage of them and averaged over four yards fewer per catch. Drops were an issue, as they were for many Packers receivers last season. Wicks tied for last in the league by ESPN’s catch score metric. He did not develop as the team hoped.

Wicks is off to a solid start in 2025, a year of reckoning for his young career. He has made the most of his targets, hauling in six of eight for 74 yards across the first two games. Green Bay’s preseason WR1, Jayden Reed, will be out for the foreseeable future after he broke his collarbone on the opening drive Thursday. For the time being, that elevates Wicks to WR2 behind Romeo Doubs. More than ever, the receiver room needs him to step into the shoes he has the potential to fill.

Packers counting on inconsistent receiver to compensate for Reed’s absence

Last night was The Tucker Kraft Game, but Wicks also answered the bell after Reed went out in yesterday’s game. He finished as the team’s second-leading receiver in both yards (44) and catches (4). He did not find the end zone, but his six targets tied Kraft atop the box score.

The Packers need him to replicate a solid level of production moving forward. Rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams are still learning their roles in an NFL offense. Both were involved on successful run plays against the Commanders, accounting for 39 yards on four carries. Williams, a gadget receiver at TCU, even took a snap in wildcat formation.

Neither, though, has factored much in the pass attack. So far this season, Williams and Golden have combined for three catches and 17 yards. Missing both Reed and Christian Watson, the Packers need someone to fill the void, and Wicks is the top candidate to do so.

Packers need Dontayvion Wicks leap year more than ever after brutal injury to Jayden Reed 6 Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) catches a first quarter touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints on Monday, December 23, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Saints 34-0.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Wicks cannot match Reed’s quickness, but data suggests that he is a faster route-runner than his 4.62 40-yard-dash would prognosticate. Especially if Golden can grow into a deep threat, with Williams providing versatility and speed, Wicks can effectively operate in the middle of the field as a short-to-midrange target.

That’s essentially what he has been in his NFL career, as his longest reception is a mere 36 yards. None of his grabs this season has exceeded 16. As Doubs and Kraft lead Green Bay passcatchers, what the Packers need from Wicks is consistent volume as a supplementary option.

Packers need Dontayvion Wicks leap year more than ever after brutal injury to Jayden Reed 7 Oct 13, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (13) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) and inside linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the first quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

After gaining momentum as a rookie, though, he struggled to provide week-to-week reliability last season. Whether he can fill the role above is far from settled despite a strong Week 2 showing.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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