The Packers’ free agent list could include a wide receiver
The Green Bay Packers have some wide receivers about to become free agents this offseason. The Packers appear ready to move on from Allen Lazard. Randall Cobb’s 2023 status is up in the air, as it’s unclear if the Packers will re-sign him or if the veteran will retire. One NFL analyst thinks the Packers should upgrade at wide receivers over those two for next season.
The Packers have limited cap space and a bunch of spots on the roaster to address. With Christian Watson having a surge late in the season and Romeo Doubs growing into his role as a starter, a wide receiver might not be a top free-agency priority. But the offense could use another top pass catcher if the Packers’ strategy next season is to win on the arm of Aaron Rodgers.
A Pro Bowl wide receiver will be a free agent
Kristopher Knox with Bleacher Report wrote about the top players the Packers should target in free agency. Knox suggested the Packers’ top option would be wide receiver JuJu Smith Smith-Schuster. Knox is down on this year’s free agent options for wide receiver but thinks Smith-Schuster is as close to a number one wide receiver they can find this offseason:
“There isn’t a true No. 1 target in this year’s free-agent pool, but Kansas City Chiefs wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster is close.
Odell Beckham Jr. has No. 1 potential, but is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Super Bowl LVI and didn’t play this season. Smith-Schuster did play and played well for Kansas City. He finished the regular season with 78 receptions, 933 yards and three touchdowns. He provided a passer rating of 102.5 when targeted.
Those aren’t No. 1 receiver numbers, though it’s worth noting that tight end Travis Kelce (1,338 yards, 12 TDs) is the de facto No. 1 target in Kansas City.”
Smith-Schuster could be an excellent option for the Packers in 2023. The 2018 Pro Bowl athlete would provide a veteran presence in the locker room. He should be able to build a rapport with quarterback Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love. Smith-Schuster has the skill set to elevate the Packers’ passing attack next season. We’ll see if he’s worth the price for a Packers team with thin cap space.
