Everyone knows the saying by now: the Green Bay Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002. While this is true, that does not mean that the Packers have not considered drafting one in the first round since then. In fact, by all accounts, they tried to draft Christian Watson in the first round last year by offering a trade to the Minnesota Vikings for the final pick in the first round. The Vikings, though, not wanting the Packers to be able to get a fifth-year option with whoever the picked, refused. Instead, they traded their early second round pick to Green Bay, who used it draft Watson.
The Green Bay Packers Have Met with TCU Wide Receiver Quinten Johnston
The Green Bay Packers overhauled their wide receiver room last year by drafting Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure. Davante Adams was traded and Sammy Watkins did not last a full season. This offseason, there are serious questions regarding the wide receiver room again. Both Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb are unrestricted free agents leaving last year’s rookies and two practice squad players as Green Bay’s lone wide receivers.
Keeping this in mind, it is possible that the Packers will look to add to their young core by adding another wide receiver early in the NFL Draft. According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Packers are one of five teams that have already met with TCU star wide receiver Quinten Johnston.
Quinten Johnton’s College Career
The TCU junior wide receiver enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, a season that saw TCU play in the National Championship game. Johnston was a big part of the TCU offense’s success, catching 60 passes for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns.
2022 was the first season in which Johnston played a full season at TCU. In 2020 he only played in eight games, as most players did due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had 22 catches for 487 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman that year.
The season, 2021, he was limited to eight games again due to injury. Despite the limited playing time, he still led TCU in receiving with 33 receptions for 634 yards and six touchdowns.
Why the Packers Could Draft Quinten Johnston
As mentioned, the Packers do not usually try to draft wide receivers in the first round. That being said, they tried to last year. While there are a plethora of needs the team needs to address in the draft and free agency this offseason, wide receiver is certainly among them. Adding another young weapon to their wide receiver room could help ensure the future of the position is bright in Green Bay.
Johnston is also the kind of wide receiver the Packers like to draft. He is six-foot-four and 215 pounds. He ran a 4.40 40-yard dash and has a 42-inch vertical. All of these traits have made Johnston nfldraftbuzz.com’s number one wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft.
While Johnston is fast and put up some good numbers in college, he does have some limitations and concerns. He had eight drops in 2022 and a lack of focus is reportedly a concern. Additionally, he is currently a poor blocker and will need some coaching up in that area. Finally, Johnston has not run a very diverse route tree as part of his role at TCU. There are concerns about his diversity within an offense on the NFL level.
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FAQs
Will the Green Bay Packers Make the 2023 NFL Playoffs?
According to sportsbooks, the Green Bay Packers are currently ninth overall (+3000) to win the 2024 Super Bowl. This is the highest among 2022 non-playoff teams, signaling they’ll be playoff-bound.
Who Do the Green Bay Packers Play in 2023?
Aside from their divisional opponents (Vikings, Lions, and Bears), whom they place twice, the Packers play the Saints, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Chargers, and Rams at home in 2023. They’ll travel on the road to face the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders, Giants, and Steelers.
Who Owns the Green Bay Packers?
The team is owned by Green Bay Packers, Inc., a publicly owned and traded non-profit. There are currently over 360,000 stockholders. Mark Murphy currently holds the role of Packers president and CEO, with plans to retire in 2025.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Packers Won?
The Packers have won four Super Bowls. These victories include Super Bowl 1 and Super Bowl 2 after the 1966 and 1967 seasons. Their next title came in Super Bowl 31, following the 1996 season. Their most recent championship was Super Bowl 45, crowning them the winners of the 2010 season.
