ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM – 850 AM WRUF
The Green Bay Packers are in desperate search for wide receivers as their top two wide-outs will be playing elsewhere this upcoming season.
Davante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders after declining to play on the franchise tag and Marquez Valdes-Scantling cashed in with the Chiefs, signing a three-year deal worth $30 million.
Despite the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers offense have clear holes out wide and will need to do some signing and drafting if Rodgers wants to finish his career with a Super Bowl.
The Impact
Losing Adams is a major blow to Green Bay’s offense. Even though it still sits with a top three quarterback, the depart of possibly the leagues’ best receiver will heavily impact the team. Adams can get open anytime he feels and his elite route running ability provided a lot of points for the Packers. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said it’ll be tough to replace the superstar receiver.
Additionally, Valdes-Scantling was on the rise last season. Being one of the fastest players on the field, he was a deep ball threat and with the Chiefs trading Tyrek Hill to the Dolphins, the young wide out will hope to fill the shoes for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
As of now, the Packers receiving core include Allen Lazard, veteran Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers.
The Options
With Rodgers locked up for the next three years, the Packers will still be in contention to win the NFC. Rodgers is a difference maker and can change the outcome of a game at any point. However, it’s still important to have weapons on the outside, so here are what the Packers will most likely do.
To be honest, there aren’t the best free agents available that would fit well in Green Bay. Christian Kirk, Allen Robinson and other solid receivers have signed elsewhere, so right now, veteran Will Fuller is the best free agent. Fuller wasn’t healthy for most of last season with the Dolphins, but before he was suspended with the Texans back in 2020 he was having a breakout season. Fuller can fly on the field, making him a possible replacement for Valdez-Scantling with the deep routes.
Additionally, the Packers received multiple draft picks from the Raiders in the Adams trade. The wide receiver draft class this year is one of the most talented in recent years, as Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jahan Dotson highlight the class. Expect Green Bay to use its first round pick on a wide receive in hopes of rebuilding its receiving core to provide Rodgers with his support.
