One of the most exciting things about the 2023 Green Bay Packers is that there are a plethora of young players that can (and will) take over large roles on the team. One of the positions that has been the subject of conjecture this offseason is the wide receiver position. After Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb followed Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, the wide receiver room was left with many inexperienced players.
Of course, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Samori Toure all played last season, but none of them played the full 17-game schedule. However, with the lack of any other experienced receivers on the roster, the team will be depending on all of them to take a big step forward this season.
The lack of seasoned veterans in the wide receiver room, though, means that Doubs, Watson, and Toure will all get plenty of playing time that they otherwise may not have received. This means that they are all primed for bigger years in 2023, and one NFL writer believes Doubs will be the best of them all.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Romeo Doubs Named a Top-7 Breakout Candidate
David Kenyon of Bleacher Report wrote an article in which he identifies the top-seven breakout candidates at wide receiver throughout the NFL. While he acknowledges that Watson and rookie Jayden Reed could each have stellar seasons, he also believes it will be Doubs who emerges as the team’s top breakout wide receiver:
“Romeo Doubs parlayed a strong showing in the preseason into a steady role for the Green Bay Packers.
“When healthy, he played 62 percent of snaps. Doubs finished the campaign with 42 catches for 425 yards and a touchdown, emerging as a building block for the future alongside fellow rookie Christian Watson.
“But as Green Bay transitions from Aaron Rodgers to the Jordan Love era, the receiving corps is also changing. Allen Lazard, who paced the team in yards and receptions last year, also headed to the New York Jets. Randall Cobb followed Rodgers to the Jets, too.
“And the Packers didn’t bring in a single veteran replacement.
“The tactic might work—Watson is a next-tier breakout candidate after collecting 611 yards, and second-round pick Jayden Reed may start immediately—but it’s clear Green Bay will be leaning on Doubs in 2023.”
Doubs does seem like he is on the inside track to having a breakout year. According to multiple reports, he and new starting quarterback Jordan Love have formed quite the connection this offseason. In order to have this breakout season, though, Doubs will need to improve his drop percentage.
Unfortunately for Watson, many fans remember his dropped potential touchdown catch in Week One against the Minnesota Vikings. However, he had fewer drops (four) than Doubs (nine) and a lower drop percentage (6.1% compared to 13.4%).
Aaron Rodgers and Love also had a higher passer rating when targeting Watson (121.5) than Doubs (95.7). Additionally, Watson holds the honor of having the best rookie season for a Packers wide receiver in the Rodgers Era.
The Rodgers Era, however, is over. As mentioned, the door is open for any of the Packers’ wide receivers to step up and become the next big playmaker on offense. Doubs and Watson are clearly the Packers’ top two receiver right now, so his selection makes sense.
Ideally, both would have breakout seasons as the Packers surprise everyone with a high-powered offense.
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