The Green Bay Packers are just days away from the start of their 2021 training camp to get ready for the regular season. Rookies report to camp on July 23rd, and veterans are scheduled to report July 27th. Of course, the main headline this offseason is whether or not Aaron Rodgers will report to camp, let alone play for Green Bay this season. Regardless, there are some veteran players at their respective positions who are on the bubble of being cut before the season begins. One particular veteran that may not make the roster is wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.
Lack Of Career Production
In three years at Notre Dame, Brown totaled 1,484 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 92 receptions. He averaged an ADOT (Average Depth of Target) of 13.7 yards and produced 500 yards after the catch. At 6’5” and 214lbs, Brown is a big bodied receiver and played 81% of passing snaps out wide. His best game was week 5 in 2016 against Syracuse where He had four receptions, 182 receiving yards, two touchdowns.
After being drafted by Green Bay 207th overall in 2018, Brown had a chance to work his way up the roster. He totaled 21 receptions and 328 receiving yards his rookie year, and missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury. In 2020, Brown was only on the field for 132 offensive passing snaps. Even then, he only produced nine receptions, 154 receiving yards and one touchdown on sixteen targets. His lone touchdown was against Tennessee in week 16 where he had one catch for 21 yards.
During his career in Green Bay, Brown found himself on the field only 19% of offensive snaps in 2018, and 33% in 2020. However, when on the field, he showed he’s able to stretch the field and has earned 187 yards after the catch. The 2019 ankle injury set him back, and is the WR6 on the roster. In addition, Brown hasn’t proven to be a reliable third down weapon either as he’s only totaled 21 first downs.
Competition In Receiving Core
Certainly, Brown can make that third year leap and become a reliable offensive weapon for Green Bay. Clearly though, He’ll have some competition for a roster spot as the Packers drafted Amari Rodgers 85th overall in the 2021 draft. Granted, Rodgers will play mostly in the Slot, but still a receiver Brown will compete against for targets.
In addition, wide receiver Devin Funchess is returning this season after opting out in 2020. He provides another big bodied outside weapon for Green Bay at only twenty-seven years old. Considering Brown has always been an outside threat, he’ll have to compete against Funchess starting in training camp.
Contract Year For Brown
Brown’s on the last year of his rookie deal and is set to make $879K this season, according to Spotrac. He’d be a dead cap hit of $29,602 if released. Considering Brown’s an unrestricted free agent in 2022, along with the majority of the Packers wide receiving core, Green Bay may release him to dodge an extension. However, because it’s Brown’s contract year and he provides depth, Green Bay may decide to keep him.
Undoubtedly, this is Brown’s most important offseason, as he’ll be re-signed if he breaks out this year. Overall, Brown’s not guaranteed to make the roster in 2021 and has the potential to be cut before the 2021 season. He’s one of the hidden storylines to watch for this training camp.
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