The Green Bay Packers were expected to struggle offensively this season after they traded away All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. In addition to losing Adams, the team lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown to free agency. To replace those three wide receivers, the Packers signed Sammy Watkins as a free agent and drafted three others to fill the void. Of these three, Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are the only two to dress this season. Watson has spent more time injured than on the field and Samori Toure has yet to play. Heading into Week Seven against the Washington Commanders, the Packers are facing some real issues at wide receiver.
Injuries Have Piled Up in the Wide Receiver Room
As mentioned previously, Christian Watson has spent more time injured than on the field this season. According to head coach Matt LaFleur, there is talk of shutting Watson down for a while until he is fully healthy. In addition to Watson’s injury, Randall Cobb will be out for a few weeks with a sprained ankle.
The Packers should be able to activate Sammy Watkins from injured reserve soon, but his injury history remains a valid concern. He has already missed four games this season, the same number of games that he missed last year as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
If Watkins remains healthy, the Packers can trot him out with Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs as their top three wide receivers. In theory, this is not a bad trio to have as a team’s top three. The problem lies in the depth after them.
Questionable Wide Receiver Depth
If Watson lands on IR, it is very likely that the Packers will sign Juwann Winfree to their 53-man roster. Winfree has already been elevated from the practice squad three times this season, the max number of elevations allowed by the NFL. If the Packers need him, they will need to sign him for the rest of the season.
In addition to Winfree, there is Amari Rodgers. In the loss to the Jets, Rodgers logged his first catch of the season, a 14-yard first down reception. He has been mostly used as a kick and punt returner and has been less than stellar in both roles.
Of course, there is Samori Toure, one of the Packers’ seventh round picks who has yet to dress for a game this season.
All of this to say that barring a trade or signing, the Packers will trot out a wide receiver group composed of:
- Sammy Watkins
- Allen Lazard
- Romeo Doubs
- Amari Rodgers
- Juwann Winfree
- (Maybe) Samori Toure
To be honest, I was hesitant to jump on the “Packers need to trade for a wide receiver” train. However, after going through the injuries and available wide receivers, I am jumping aboard. I’m not saying the Packers need a Pro Bowl caliber guy, either. They just need a reliable pass catcher.
They also need to give the ball to Aaron Jones more.
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