When the Green Bay Packers released their 53-man roster earlier this weeks, fans were ecstatic to find out that they had decided to carry six wide receivers. 2022 NFL Draft picks Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Samori Toure were joined by 2023 NFL Draft picks Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. Additionally, Green Bay took undrafted free agent Malik Heath onto their roster as well.
In addition to those six wide receivers, the Packers also signed two others to their practice squad: 2023 seventh round pick Grant DuBose and Bo Melton. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, though, Green Bay had their eye on another wide receiver as well.
Green Bay Packers Tried to Claim Wide Receiver Elijah Higgins Off Waivers from the Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins selected Elijah Higgins in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Like the Packers, Miami opted to take six wide receivers on their 53-man roster, but Higgins was not one of them. After being placed on waivers, he was eventually awarded to the Arizona Cardinals. However, there were four other teams interested in him:
The most popular player claimed on waivers yesterday was new Cardinals WR Elijah Higgins.
5 teams tried to claim him: Cardinals, Colts, Titans, Commanders, Packers.
The only other player with more than 2 claims was new Texans G Nick Broeker (claimed by Cardinals, Titans,…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 31, 2023
Green Bay was awarded two players via the waiver wire: tight end Ben Sims from the Minnesota Vikings and safety Zayne Anderson from the Buffalo Bills. Both were added to the 53-man roster. Sims was an undrafted free agent that the Packers reportedly tried to sign after the draft. Anderson is a former Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Had the Packers been able to acquire Higgins as well, their wide receiver situation may look very different. Watson, Doubs, and Reed are the starters, and Heath was the team’s leading wide receiver during the preseason. As a fifth round pick, Hicks also can be considered safe.
However, Toure did not play much last season and appears to be the fifth wide receiver (at best) on the Packers’ roster. It’s possible that had Higgins been claimed by Green Bay, Toure could have been released. He would not have been the only 2022 seventh round draft pick to fall victim to waiver wire acquisitions. Tariq Carpenter and Jonathan Ford were released to make room for Sims and Anderson.
On the other hand, Green Bay may have signed Higgins to the practice squad and released Melton. One would assume DuBose is valued more in the organization than Melton because of his status as a former draft pick whereas Melton was an undrafted free agent.
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!
