Green Bay’s search for wide receivers remains in full swing. After Adams, MVS, and St. Brown left in free agency/trade, Green Bay’s top wide receivers are Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, and Amari Rodgers. The amount of free agents that remain un-signed seems fairly large for this time of year. Many seem to be waiting for the right opportunity, while others are deciding between multiple contract offers. Here are the top receiver name left who remain un-signed:
Tier 1 free agent wide receivers:
Julio Jones:
While Jones just turned 33 and has had trouble staying on the field as of late due to injury, he remains one of the most talented wide receivers out there. He had career lows in 2021 for receptions, yards, and touch downs, however that makes him a prime candidate for an “I still got it” deal. Taking a team friendly deal with a hall of fame quarterback to show that you still can be “the guy” is exactly what Jones should be looking for.
Jarvis Landry:
If you take out last season, which was injury-plagued, Landry has caught at least 70 balls for at least 750 yards every single season. From 2015-2019, he made five straight Pro Bowls. In three of those seasons, Landry totaled over 1,100 yards. His 564 receptions through his first six seasons are the most of any player in that span in NFL history. Landry is quite possibly the best possible addition out there for any team at this point in the off-season. The only hang up? Word on the street is he is looking for a BIG pay day.
Odell Beckham Jr.:
Talent wise Odell Beckham is one of the best remaining available free agents out there. The only problem is whatever team chooses to sign him most likely won’t be able to use him until half way through the season. Possibly even later. He tore his ACL in the Super Bowl and has been focused on rehabbing ever since. With LA signing Allen Robinson this off-season, he looks to be finding a new home soon.
Will Fuller:
Will Fuller has averaged a robust 14.7 yards per catch throughout his career. However multiple issues have caused him to miss most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Fuller is the ultimate case of the boom-or-bust receiver. “Boom” in him being one of the league’s premier deep threats when he’s on the field. The “bust” comes from whether he sees the field at all.
He suffered a broken finger in early 2021, however has had seemingly no issues (health wise) since. He also needs to prove he can still be ‘the guy’ for any team. The deep threat potential is there and Aaron Rodgers would unleash it. A healthy Will Fuller signing could be the steal of 2022 free agency. He can be THAT good.
Tier 2 free agent wide receivers:
T.Y. Hilton:
T.Y. Hilton is another free agent wide receiver that is struggling with age and recent production. The 33 year old wide receiver hasn’t had a 1,000 yard season since 2018. However a lack of consistent QB play along with a run heavy offense may have contributed to that. A new system with a consistent quarterback and scheme could do wonders for this veteran wide receiver.
Emmanuel Sanders:
Emmanuel Sanders proved in 2021 that age is just a number. At 34 years old he put up 42 receptions, 626 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He’ll enter the 2022 season at 35 years old and a free agent. While his numbers last year were good enough to be #2 on most teams, he would provide essential veteran leadership for the Packers’ locker room. Still able to make plays when needed, he would be a consistent third down / deep threat outlet for Rodgers when needed.
Sammy Watkins:
Sammy Watkins (unlike many of the other free agent wide receivers) still has age on his side. The 28 year old wide receiver appeared in 13 games in 2021 and ended with 27 receptions, 394 yards, and 1 reception. He did however average over 14 yards per reception. His explosiveness is still there, if he can maintain his health his deep threat ability is exactly what Matt Lafleur is looking for. Even if he doesn’t have the ball thrown to him, being able to extend the secondary is huge for Lafleur’s schemes.
Cole Beasley:
While Green Bay isn’t necessarily looking for another slot wide receiver, Beasley is coming off back to back 82 reception seasons. He’s had over 1,500 yards over the last two seasons and consistently proves to be a reliable outlet. If Lafleur could find a way to make Lazard, Amari Rodgers, and Beasley all compliment each other out of the slot he could prove to be a great pick up.
Tier 3 free agent wide receivers:
Keelan Cole:
Keelan Cole is an interesting prospect. Over the last two seasons he has accumulated over 1,100 yards and 6 touchdowns. Over the last two seasons he has played for the Jets and the Jaguars. That means his quarterback play hasn’t exactly been stellar… The 6’1″ 190 pound wide receiver will turn 29 this year. He ran a 4.33 40 yard dash coming out of college and has kept that speed throughout his NFL career. He would be a low risk high reward type signing if the Packers got him on a cheap deal.
Adam Humphries:
Humphries hasn’t had a big seasons since he caught 76 balls for 816 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2018. Since then he’s spent two years with the Titans and one with the Commanders. Over the last two seasons he has accumulated just over 600 yards and just two touchdowns. If Green Bay wanted to add depth to their wide receiver room, he is your guy. He will turn 29 this year.
Others:
Desean Jackson, Albert Wilson, Danny Amendola, Mohamed Sanu, Kenny Stills.
Green Bay has options to pick from legitimate #1 wide receivers to ones that will provide only depth on the roster. 15 names are on this list, the Packers have options. As the draft approaches it wouldn’t be surprising if Green Bay signs a wide receiver or two so they don’t limit themselves of what they can choose in the draft.
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