Coming into the 2022 NFL Draft, one of the things that many people were sure was going to happen was the Green Bay Packers adding a wide receiver with one of their first-round picks. Their depth chart is very thin at the position after trading Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders and seeing Marquez Valdes-Scantling sign as a free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs a week later.
Green Bay picked up a second first-round pick in the deal with the Raiders and a second second-round selection. It seemed like the Packers would end their streak of not selecting a wide receiver in the first round, but that is a streak that will continue.
There has not been a wide receiver selected in the first round during Aaron Rodgers’ entire 17-year career. The last time they selected one was in 2002 when they selected Javon Walker out of Florida State.
Instead, the Packers focused on defense with both of their first-round picks. They selected two Georgia Bulldogs, nabbing linebacker Quay Walker with the 22nd overall pick and defensive tackle Devnote Wyatt at No. 28.
Rodgers was on the Pat McAfee Show during the draft and said that he is sure Packers fans are questioning why a wide receiver wasn’t selected. But he preached that they remain patient with the front office.
Rodgers said that the defense the Packers are going to have is going to be very good, adding that defenses win championships. He certainly sounds like someone that knew there was a slim chance a wide receiver would be selected in the first round and said that he will put in the work with the wide receivers on the roster now.
There has been a lot of communication between Rodgers, general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur. Communication is key, especially with how rocky some of the last few years have been for the organization.
As long as Rodgers is under center the Packers will have a chance to win. But, he will have to work some magic with the pass catchers that he currently has at his disposal. Green Bay has three more picks on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft that they could select a wide receiver with.
