The Green Bay Packers have had a busy offseason. They were big winners when they were able to work out a long-term deal with Aaron Rodgers to remain with the franchise, likely, through the end of his career. However, his weapons will look a lot different this season.
Star wide receiver Davante Adams will not be returning to Green Bay in 2022. He is heading out west as he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders after a long-term deal was unable to be worked out.
His departure is garnering a lot of attention and rightfully so. Adams is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and leaves some big shoes to be filled. However, the team will also have to replace No. 2 wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Valdes-Scantling signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after they traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Without Adams and Valdes-Scantling, the Packers’ depth chart at wide receiver is topped by Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers.
The team is in desperate need of an infusion of talent at wide receiver. There is some speculation that they could look to trade for D.K. Metcalf, but they would run into a similar situation with him as they ran into with Adams as he is set to become a free agent in 2023 and will be cashing in on a lucrative deal.
There is a good chance that the Packers use multiple picks on wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. With two first-round picks, it would be surprising if at least one of them weren’t used on a wide receiver. If they look to double down later in the draft, one player they should target is Kevin Austin Jr. out of Notre Dame.
Austin went to South Bend with some expectations as a top recruit in 2018. He was a reserve as a freshman but was suspended for the 2019 season for undisclosed reasons. A broken foot in 2020 limited him to only two appearances.
All of those things are red flags for NFL teams, as he was unable to stay healthy and had some disciplinary issues. But, at the end of the day, talent always wins out in the NFL. If a team thinks you can help them win games, they will take a chance on you. Austin is someone that has the potential to be a game-changer.
Austin was dynamic to close out the 2021 season and finally started realizing some of his immense potential. He led the Fighting Irish with 888 receiving yards, catching 48 passes and scoring eight touchdowns. 23 of those 48 receptions came in the last five games of the season as Austin came on at the end.
There is a lot to like when it comes to Austin. He is lacking experience, but that isn’t always a bad thing as it means he is still moldable when it comes to creating habits and development. He is undoubtedly a raw prospect, but there is a lot to like.
Austin is a boom or bust prospect. The tools and instincts to be a very good player are there, he just needs time to hone them and gain some experience. Given the lack of depth at wide receiver for the Packers, he is someone that could work his way into a role later on in the season and surprise some people right away.
