Will the Packers Draft a First-Round Receiver?

Jayden Reed showed promise with a pair of 125-yard performances and multiple touchdowns, but his production slowed as the season went on, only surpassing 50 yards just once in the final half of the year. Romeo Doubs has the opposite problem, consistent but unspectacular. In his three seasons and 43 games, he has never once gained over 100 yards and has yet to pass 700 total in a season.

Then there’s Dontayvion Wicks, who flashes wicked ability across the field but has one frustrating issue— he can’t catch.

The Packers collection of receivers has been viable but they’ve yet to reach another level, and now the loss of Christian Watson— who had his equal share of problems—compounds the teams need at receiver.

But don’t expect the team to use their first selection on the position, history suggests otherwise. The Packers have, however, found plenty of value in Round 2. Both Reed and Watson were second-round picks, but they also found Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Jordy Nelson in the round.

The question has to be asked if one of the top four receiving prospects, Tetairoa McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden III, or Matthew Golden, fall to them. The way mock drafts are going now, it seems likely at least one or two will. McMillan is a longshot, but the others are fair game.

Egbuka is the most steady player and Burden is the flashiest, but their usage and size are likely too similar to what they have in Doubs and Reed. Golden doesn’t stand out with his size, but he does have impressive speed that could replace Watson’s role in the offense as a vertical threat.

But, unless something happens with McMillan, or Golden is someone the team is really, really high on, I don’t think they stand out enough for the Packers to break their tendencies. Furthermore, there are several day two fits at the positions who may fit in more seamlessly.

Instead, expect the Packers to address the defensive line or secondary. The pass rush dried up last season and Jaire Alexander’s status remains in flux, so while receiver is still a need, the front office may not see it as their first priority.