The Green Bay Packers have the 29th pick in this year’s draft. Speculation abounds as to what player/position they will use that pick for. Many believe the team will use it on a cornerback, which is certainly a position of need. However, the Packers are also in need at the position of wide receiver. Despite being the number one scoring offense in the NFL last season, the Packers have no wide receivers under contract beyond this season. If they are to provide Aaron Rodgers (or Jordan Love) with any quality targets, this may be the pick to use on wide receiver. One interesting prospect that is believed to be available at pick 29 is Florida wideout Kadarius Toney.
Kadarius Toney’s Florida Career
Kadarius Toney was a late bloomer, as it were, at Florida. During his first three seasons, he did not have very productive numbers. In those three years combined, Toney had 50 receptions for 606 yards and two touchdowns. As a rusher, he received 47 carriers that he turned into 419 yards and a touchdown.
Then came his senior season. In 2020, Kadarius Toney emerged as one of the best wide receivers in the draft class. He had 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 19 times for 161 yards and another score.
Toney also served
as the Gators’ kick and punt returner in 2020. He had seven kick returns for 155 yards, good for a 22.1-yard average return. Toney also had 11 punt returns for 139 yards and a touchdown.
Kadarius Toney’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Kadarius Toney is a tremendous athlete with great footwork and body control. He uses his hands well to create separation and is a crafty ball handler. At five foot eleven, he has a good vertical and his willing to go up and get balls thrown into coverage. Toney also works well in the open field, not needing much time to gain full speed.
Toney does need to bulk up a bit in order to be a successful NFL wide receiver. He weighs 193 pounds and has a slim build. Due to this, he is easily brought down by single defenders. He also must become stronger so that he can work in more contested areas of the field. As it stands, he is easily overpowered by defenders.
How Kadarius Toney Could Fit on the Packers
On today’s video, I took a look at Kadarius Toney & Elijah Moore as options for the Packers at pick 29, and more importantly, if Green Bay would use that type of capital on a gadget WR with incredible playmaking potential. Check it out:https://t.co/nV0auAMrRa
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) April 7, 2021
Kadarius Toney is not believed by many scouts to have the potential to be a number one receiver in the NFL. The Packers, however, do not need one of those. They already have one in Davante Adams, who may be the best wide receiver in the entire league.
That being said, however, Toney could make the Packers better in a variety of ways. First, he can fill in the slot receiver role that once belonged to Randall Cobb. The Packers have used a variety of wide receivers in the slot over the past two seasons with varying levels of success. However, having a wideout whose primary job is to be in the slot could be very beneficial to the team.
In addition to the slot, Toney could provide the Packers with a decent kick and punt returner. The Packers’ return game has been a source of frustration for years, and Toney has had success as a returner in college. If the Packers do take a flyer on him in the first round, he will, without a doubt, get his shot at being the team’s return specialist.
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Final Thoughts
- If the Packers draft Kadarius Toney, he will be the first wide receiver they take in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
- If drafted at 29, and if he catches a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers, he will be just the second first round pick to catch a touchdown from Rodgers (Marcedes Lewis).
- Even though cornerback is a more immediate need, the talent at the position is deep this year. The Packers can get a great cornerback pick in the second or third round.
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