One of the biggest questions in Green Bay Packers training camp is who will emerge to join the team’s top five wide receivers on the initial 53-man roster when the preseason comes to an end. With Christian Watson likely unavailable to start the season due to his recovery from a torn ACL, Green Bay’s top five wide receivers, in no particular order, are Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Gold, and Savion Williams.
The first three listed, Doubs, Reed, and Wicks, are veterans (still on their rookie contracts) that led the Packers in passing targets last season. Regardless of whatever trade rumors may have circulated in the past, none of them are going anywhere.
The last two, of course, were both selected by Green Bay in the 2025 NFL Draft. Golden was the first wide receiver the Packers took in the first round since 2002, and Williams was taken in the third round. Both should be considered locks for the 53-man roster.
There Are Many Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers Vying for a Job
So crowded is the Packers wide receiver room that Bo Melton, who played the position for the past two seasons in Green Bay, switched to cornerback in hopes to improve his chances of making the 53-man roster.
But even with Melton switching positions, the Packers have a plethora of talented wide receivers competing for one (or two at the most) spots on the 53-man roster that are reserved for the position.
Malik Heath, an undrafted free agent in 2023, made Green Bay’s 53-man roster in each of the past two seasons. Mecole Hardman, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs, was signed as a free agent earlier this year, though the only part of his contract that is guaranteed was his $150,000 signing bonus.
In addition to these players, the Packers also have Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Will Sheppard, and Sam Brown Jr. competing.
And one of them is starting make reporters raise an eyebrow.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Sam Brown Jr. Is Turning Heads in Training Camp
Brown Jr. was an undrafted free agent that the Packers signed earlier this year. His signing was notable because he and Golden were teammates at Houston.
While his signing may have been an afterthought by many fans given the name recognition of the team’s top pass catchers, Packers insider Wes Hodkiewicz recently wrote that the young rookie is making his presence known in training camp:
“Sam Brown Jr., Golden’s former Houston teammate, keeps finding ways to get noticed for the right reasons, too. It seems like every practice he’s making at least one catch that makes you go, ‘Oh.'”
Last season, Brown played at Miami and had 36 receptions for 509 yards and two touchdowns. The year prior, 2023, when he and Golden were teammates, Brown led Houston with 62 receptions for 815 yards. He also scored three touchdowns.
It is still a longshot for Brown to make the roster, but if he continues to wow coaches, he could end up on the Packers practice squad this season.
More Green Bay Packers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Why Former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Has ESPN Analyst Feeling “High” in the Steelers
- Packers QB Jordan Love Reacts to Keisean Nixon Post with Subtle Shot at “Bench Players”
- Jordan Love’s Gesture to Matthew Golden All About Building Chemistry
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
