When the Green Bay Packers traded one of the best wide receivers in franchise history, Davante Adams, to the Las Vegas Raiders, everyone knew it would take more than one player to replace his impact one offense. That is why Green Bay used three picks in the 2022 NFL Draft on wide receivers: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure. The hope, of course, was that they, along with veteran Allen Lazard, would keep the offense running on all cylinders.
Of course, that did not happen. Lazard was far from the number one wide receiver he touted himself to be and quarterback Aaron Rodgers refused to build chemistry with the young rookies. Indeed, his refusal to work with and develop the young pass catchers were a big reason why last year’s team finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
Now Rodgers is gone, and so is Lazard and his fellow veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb. Both followed Rodgers to New York where they are in the midst of yet another disappointing season. Meanwhile in Green Bay, Jordan Love has taken over and is working with both Watson and Doubs. In addition, he is working with two more wide receivers that the Packers took in the 2023 NFL Draft: Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
No one player has yet to replace Adams by himself, and the Packers offense has not yet reached its full potential. But wide receivers coach Jason Vrable believes that Wicks, a fifth round pick in the past draft, has a bit of Adams in him.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers Coach Compares Dontayvion Wicks to Davante Adams
During his time in Green Bay, and still today with the Raiders, Adams was widely regarded as one of the best route runners in the NFL. He is not overly fast; he will rarely get himself open by burning by a defensive back. Instead, his agility and ability to fake out defenders more often than not leave him alone in the open field.
This is a quality that Wicks has as well. In fact, Wicks is so good at getting open that Vrable told reporters on Monday that he reminds his coaching staff a bit of Adams:
#Packers WR coach Jason Vrable says Dontayvion Wicks’ ability to use basketball fluidity to get open reminds team of another receiver with similar style: “There’s been reps he’s had even back to the spring where everybody’s like, ‘Whoa, that’s that old 17 stuff. Like, Tae.”
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 27, 2023
Before committing to Virginia for college, Wicks was also a basketball star at Plaquemine High School in Louisiana.
How Does Dontayvion Wicks’ Rookie Season Compare to Davante Adams’?
A second round pick by the Packers in 2014, Adams had 38 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie. He also struggled with drops and had a catch percentage of just 57.6%. His second year was worse from a drop perspective as he had a catch percentage of 53.2%. Many may recall that some fans wanted him cut at that point.
So far this season, Wicks has a 62.5% catch percentage while hauling in 20 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown. If he keeps up his current pace, he will surpass Adams’ rookie year numbers.
Not too bad for the a fifth round pick!
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