Packers rookie WR Romeo Doubs had a great game in Week 3
Aaron Rodgers needed one of his young wide receivers to step up on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Green Bay Packers rookie Romeo Doubs was up to the challenge. The fourth-round pick led all receivers with eight receptions for 73 yards. He also caught the first touchdown pass of his NFL career. Doubs’ efforts in Week 3 were a relief from all of the reports in training camps about Rodgers’ skepticism of his rookie ball catchers.
It was Doubs’ breakout game as a Packers wide receiver. Doubs only had six receptions for 64 yards in his first two weeks. Those numbers aren’t too bad, but they’re not flashy. The Packers didn’t pass much to wide receivers in Week 1. In Week 2, the Packers relied on an impressive ground attack. But in Week 3, Doubs’ numbers combined with his first two weeks of receiving have totaled something only two other NFL rookies have ever achieved.
Doubs becomes the third rookie to match this record
Justis Mosqueda, writing a By The Numbers article for the Acme Packing Company, did a numbers crunch on rookie wide receivers. Doubs career receiving numbers in three games match Steve Largent and Marques Colston:
“Historically, Doubs’ 14 receptions, 137 yards and touchdown line over his first three games as a professional is very rare. How rare? So rare that only two players in NFL history, Steve Largent and Marques Colston, have recorded as many receptions, yards and touchdowns as Doubs in their first three games after being drafted in the fourth round or later in the draft. Largent eventually developed into a five-time All-Pro receiver and was named to the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team as well as the Pro Football Football of Fame. Colston was never named a Pro Bowler but is enshrined in the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and revolutionized the “big slot” position that players like the Packers’ Allen Lazard now play.”
Those are good names to be associated with. It appears the Packers rookie is starting to catch the eye of Rodgers. Doubs is quickly becoming a reliable target for Rodgers in the early season. With the Packers having numerous injuries at the wide receiver position, Doubs could be in for a fantastic rookie season.
The Packers Week 4 opponent, the New England Patriots, have given up the ninth most passing yards so far this season. Doubs will have a chance to prove he can be successful against a better passing defense next Sunday. It’ll be interesting to see if Rodgers throws more targets Doubs’ way after a terrific performance against the Buccaneers.