The Houston Texans are releasing wide receiver Kenny Stills and will be subject to waivers.
Although it might be hard to drop to Green Bay, the Packers would be wise to pick up a veteran wide receiver. Especially after a series of wide receiver injuries and now that Marquez Valdes-Scantling might be questionable.
Stills’ Details
Stills was traded from the Dolphins in 2019 when the Texans were dealing with wide receiver injuries and depth. They did trade DeAndre Hopkins during the offseason, but the receiving corps still became crowded with Will Fuller, Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks.
The 28-year-old was supposed to make $7MM this year, but will be prorated if/when a team claims him before he hits free agency. If that happens, any team can sign him to a new contract.
So far this season, Stills has only had 11 receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown. In 2019, he ended with 40 receptions, 561 yards and four touchdowns. Nothing mind-blowing, but there is no doubting Stills’ talent as a receiver.
Packers Looking For A WR
Green Bay was sniffing around for another receiver around the trade deadline. The major headline was that the Packers were looking to trade for Fuller, but Houston was looking for a second round pick or more. Fuller would have been a rental, and it was very clear that the Packers wanted the cap space to re-sign offensive lineman David Bakhtiari.
The Packers don’t necessarily need a wide receiver, but it would be wise to try and get Stills. Davante Adams is still nursing an ankle injury. He didn’t practice Thursday, but is expected to play Sunday night against the Bears. Valdes-Scantling was just added to the injury report with an Achillies injury, and is now questionable. Lazard is still fresh from being off of IR. Stills was dealing with a quad injury with Houston, but no one is truly sure about the extent of his injury.
With Tyler Ervin still dealing with injuries, Green Bay could use a fresh return man after Darrius Shepherd’s lackluster returns and recent fumble. Stills did some return work for Miami for a few games, so it’s possible he could fill that role.
Aaron Rodgers would definitely not complain about an additional and talented weapon. Stills has a 59.6% career catch rate. That is higher than MVS’s, and closer to Davante Adams’ rate of 63.6%.
Is It Possible to Land Stills?
The short answer? Not very likely. The current waiver wire is that after Week 4, it goes by record from worst to best. The Packers are tied for the sixth best record in the league, so that is a lot of teams that can put in a claim and get him before the Packers.
The question is, what other teams also need/want a receiver and have the cap space to take him on? The Packers are borderline for cap, but there are lots of teams fighting for a playoff spot before the Packers could claim him.
Teams like the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Washington Football Team and Baltimore Ravens could all use a serviceable wide receiver. All those teams have a worse record than the Packers.
Bottom Line
It is very unlikely the Packers will be able to land Kenny Stills. There are way too many teams who can claim him before Green Bay. Plus, they would have to spend a few million dollars on another receiver with a possible injury. He would then have to catch up with Matt LaFleur’s offense, and there is no telling if he can help with the return game.
Should the Packers still go after him? Absolutely. It’s a wide receiver who could make an impact, and the playoffs are basically just around the corner. The upside outweighs the downside, but Packers fans also can’t expect too much from him right away. We can’t expect Stills to plug the hole at wide receiver we need filling right away.
Yes, I have already ordered my Kenny Stills’ Packers jersey.
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