From 2008 to 2022, the Green Bay Packers had the luxury of having Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. During that span, Rodgers developed some special relationships with several of the Packers key wide receivers. Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and of course, Davante Adams all earned the trust of Rodgers. It’s one of the several factors the Packers passing attack was so lethal during the Rodgers era. Now, head coach Matt LaFleur is hoping his first-year starting quarterback can develop a similar relationship with one of their current pass catchers. It appears that Jordan Love is developing that type of relationship with wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Jordan Love, Romeo Doubs Becoming Quite the Combination
Former general manager Ted Thompson had the magic touch when it came to drafting wide receivers in the second round of the NFL Draft. Jennings (2006), Nelson (2008), Cobb (2011), and Adams (2014) were all selected by Thompson in the second round. All went on to become major contributors to the Green Packers passing attack. As stated earlier, they also became favorite targets of Rodgers.
Current general manager Brian Gutekunst doesn’t nearly have the track record Thompson had. In fact, at this point, he has had more misses than hits. That history includes the 2018 NFL Draft when he selected J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown. Out of the three, Valdes-Scantling was the only key contributor. He is now catching passes from Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gutekunst is hoping that his luck is changing though. In the 2022 NFL Draft, Gutekunst selected Christian Watson in the second round while Romeo Doubs was selected in the fourth round. While Watson flashed big play potential in his rookie season, it’s Doubs who looks like he might be the more consistent contributor. In the first three games of the 2023 season, Doubs has become the favorite target of Jordan Love.
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Romeo Doubs Fits the Mold of a Packers Wide Receiver
Jennings, Nelson, Cobb, and Adams were all very productive wide receivers in college. However, none of them blew scouts away with their height or forty-yard dash speed. But one thing they all did well in college that carried over to their professional careers was that all were high-level pass route runners. Their precise route running is what made Rodgers very comfortable with each of them.
Romeo Doubs fits the standard that all four of the former Packers pass catchers established. Coming out of Nevada, Doubs didn’t blow anyone away with his speed. He was timed with a 4.52 forty-yard dash, not what you would label as blazing speed. His size isn’t overwhelming either (6’2″, 204 pounds), but again, similar to the other four, he was and is an above-level route runner.
As Aaron Rodgers illustrated during his long and successful Packers career, it’s vital for a wide receiver to be where he is supposed to be. It’s why many wide receivers (especially younger ones) felt the wrath of Rodgers when they weren’t. He expected a lot of his receivers, and it’s one of the many reasons Rodgers and the Packers were so successful during his time.
That’s why it isn’t surprising to see Jordan Love connect with Romeo Doubs so often already this season. That comfort with Doubs being in the right spot at the right time was on display in this year’s training camp and it appears that it has carried over into the regular season.
Out of Love’s seven touchdown passes he has this season, three of them have gone to Doubs. So far, Doubs has 11 catches for 129 yards. His receptions (tied) and touchdown catches lead the Packers, while he is ranked second in receiving yards. Matt LaFleur’s passing offense is about hitting the open receiver and Doubs is showing that he is frequently getting open.
Being Available
Leading up to the Packers season-opening game against the Chicago Bears, there was some doubt that Romeo Doubs would be available. Doubs injured his hamstring leading up to the game which clouded his status. But credit to Doubs, not only did he play, but he excelled. He caught four passes for 26 yards with two touchdowns. His ability to overcome an injury and play, not only benefits Love but also helps the Packers offense overall. Especially when you factor in what is going on with Christian Watson.
There is no arguing, Christian Watson is the most explosive wide receiver on the Packers roster. But in just his second season, many are starting to believe that he is injury-prone. In 2022, he missed four games, one to a concussion and three to a hamstring injury. A hamstring injury is what has caused him to miss the Packers first three games this season. He is listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Detroit Lions.
Building for the Future
But the one silver lining that comes from Watson’s absence is that it has allowed Jordan Love to develop relationships with his other receivers. Rooke Jayden Reed has been getting a lot of looks and so has fellow rookie Luke Musgrave. Those relationships along with the one with Doubs not only benefit the Packers now, but in the future.
The Packers have the youngest roster in the NFL. It hasn’t been discussed, but one of the biggest reasons for this is Gutekunst’s failures through the draft early in his general manager tenure. While he can’t change his past failures, credit to him for finally making the right moves recently. Love now has the chance to develop alongside his young group of receivers. That is what Packers fans are seeing when it comes to Doubs. From all indications, Doubs is on his way to joining those four former Packers as standout Packers receivers.
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Main Photo: Dan Powers – USA Today Sports
