The Green Bay Packers shocked a lot of people when they didn’t select a wide receiver in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. A wide receiver was a big need for them, but instead of reaching when they came on the clock, they continued to bolster their defense by selecting Georgia Bulldogs Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt. After the draft, Aaron Rodgers spoke out and mentioned his thoughts on Detroit Lions first-round pick Jameson Williams.
Some fans will question why the Packers didn’t make a trade-up as other teams did to address their needs at wide receiver. The Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 started a run at the position, as four out of the five picks were pass catchers.
The New Orleans Saints traded up to the No. 11 spot with the Washington Commanders to select Ohio State’s Chris Olave. The Packers NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions, traded up into the No. 12 spot with the Minnesota Vikings to select Alabama wide receiver, Jameson Williams.
Aaron Rodgers was making an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show during the draft. He called Willams the most NFL-ready of this year’s draft class from what he saw following the Lions trading up and selecting him.
Williams tore his ACL during the National Championship Game in January, so he may miss the start of the season. But, there is no denying the talent that he has. He would have been a lock for the top-10 of this draft and the first wide receiver off the board had he not suffered the injury.
In addition to the Williams assessment, Rodgers also added that it didn’t seem like there was a Justin Jefferson in this draft. Jefferson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU and quickly became a star in the league.
Rodgers will have to wait his turn to get a new wide receiver to throw to. The Packers own three picks on Day 2, selecting No. 53 and 59 in the second round and No. 92 in the third round.
If we learned anything from how Green Bay handled Round 1, they are not going to reach for a player at a position of need. The value needs to match, which wasn’t the case when they came on the clock at No. 22 and 28. If it is there in the second or third rounds, they will pull the trigger on a much-needed wide receiver.
