There has been a lot of movement in the wide receiver market this offseason in the NFL. Players changed teams in free agency and we even saw multiple Pro Bowlers and All-Pros traded at the position. One team that has been left out in the cold a little bit in the wide receiver carousel is the Green Bay Packers.
They were involved in one of those blockbuster trades, as they sent Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders for first and second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
He was far from the only pass catcher that Green Bay lost this offseason. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, the team’s No. 2 wide receiver, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs after they traded Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins. Their depth was further diminished when Equanimeous St. Brown signed with the Chicago Bears.
As things currently stand, the Packers depth chart goes Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers. That is something that will assuredly have to change and the draft will present some opportunities to do so. This is a deep wide receiver class and there should be some good ones on the board when the Packers are on the clock.
Even if they opt to select one or two wide receivers, the team could use some more veteran experience at the position. Lucky for them, there are still some solid players available in free agency. One of them is Julio Jones, who is projected to sign with the Packers.
Jones’s best years are likely behind him, as he is now 33-years old. He has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, as he is coming off of the least productive season of his career. In 2021 with the Tennessee Titans, Jones played in 10 games, catching 31 passes for 434 yards and one touchdown.
There are still some signs that he can be a dominant force when healthy, such as the 14 yards per reception that he recorded. But, the ‘when healthy’ part is troublesome as he just hasn’t been able to stay on the field.
In Green Bay, he would likely take over one of the top roles in the offense on the perimeter. He would provide valuable veteran wisdom to the rookies they select and younger guys that are already on the roster.
Also, who wouldn’t want to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers? The Packers are legitimate contenders as long as Rodgers is under center and that is something that could appeal to Jones, who is still chasing that illustrious Lombardi Trophy.
