The Green Bay Packers are one of the most exciting up-and-coming teams in the NFL. This is because Jordan Love led the youngest offense since 1970 to a 9-8 record, an upset of the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys in the NFL Playoffs, and a near victory over the eventual NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.
Last offseason, there were many questions surrounding Love and the Packers’ decision to trade future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, the quarterback situation was not the only offensive position that was under the microscope. Green Bay also made the decision to give Love a pass catching core made up entirely of first and second-year players.
While it took about half a season, Love and his wide receivers eventually clicked and rattled off a strong finish to the year. During that time, numerous players stepped up and have big games. By the end of the season, the Packers had one of the most balanced receiving groups in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers Have Four Great Wide Receivers
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
After the 2022 season ended, the Packers allowed their few experienced veterans to leave in free agency. That left them with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, and Bo Melton as their only pass catchers. So, they selected three more wide receivers (Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Grant Dubose) and two new tight ends (Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft).
Despite injuries to Watson and Dubose (and Toure not playing well enough to get regular snaps), the Packers’ receivers ended the year with excellent all-around numbers:
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
| Romeo Doubs | 59 | 674 | 8 |
| Christian Watson | 28 | 422 | 5 |
| Jayden Reed | 64 | 793 | 8 |
| Dontayvion Wicks | 39 | 581 | 4 |
| Malik Heath | 15 | 125 | 1 |
| Bo Melton | 16 | 218 | 1 |
| Luke Musgrave | 34 | 352 | 1 |
| Tucker Kraft | 31 | 355 | 2 |
| Ben Sims | 4 | 21 | 1 |
As seen above, Reed led the Packers in both receptions and receiving yards while tying Doubs for the team lead in touchdown receptions. One may also note that Watson was second on the team with five receiving touchdowns. This is a feat he accomplished despite missing eight games due to hamstring injuries.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe Has High Praise for Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Christian Watson
During the latest episode of “Nightcap,” which is hosted by Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, both former All-Pro pass catchers had high praise for Green Bay’s top four wide receivers: Watson, Doubs, Reed, and Wicks.
Sharpe specifically had high praise for Watson, the Packers’ 2022 second round pick:
Packers got an arsenal of young weapons 🏈@ShannonSharpe @ochocinco pic.twitter.com/OKH6kf40CN
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) June 11, 2024
“I think Christian Watson, if he can stay healthy, man, that dude is special.”
Both Sharpe and Johnson described the Packers’ top four wide receivers as “one-ish” pass catchers, meaning that any of them could be the number one wide receiver. Pointing out Watson specifically indicates that they think he could be the best of the bunch.
Of course, it all depends on his ability to stay healthy. Watson has been plagued by leg injuries since he came into the NFL, but saw a hamstring specialist at the University of Wisconsin that may have found out what the issue was (one of his legs had 20% less strength than the other).
With the problem diagnosed and a plan in place to remedy it, Watson could finally become the top-tier wide receiver everyone thought he would be.
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