Having drastically revamped their roster following the 2022 season, Green Bay started fresh in 2023. But the success of their recent draft classes is one reason why the Packers should give other teams hope.
Why The Packers Should Give Other Teams Hope
Receiving Luck
Packer fans were not happy to see Davante Adams leave town in 2022. Nor were they thrilled when Robert Tonyan took more money to play in Chicago. A rough 2022 season spelled the end for both Aaron Rodgers and an era of football in Green Bay.
The Packers receiver room was filled with first and second-year players coming into last season. Skepticism was abound, given the inconsistencies seen by Christian Watson as a rookie. But trading up for Watson in the 2022 NFL Draft also signaled the Packers were serious about getting younger at the position. Watson was the team’s highest draft pick at receiver in twenty years. Romeo Doubs was drafted that same year, but Doubs largely became an afterthought to names like Garrett Wilson, Drake London, and Jahan Dotson.
Flash forward to 2023. Green Bay moved on from Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins, leaving Watson and Doubs to lead the way. The Packers triple-dipped in the 2023 draft and came out with at least two potential stars in Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. It’s early, but 2023 has a chance to be a banner class for the Packers. Call it luck, or call it adept scouting. But Green Bay’s recent success in finding receivers late is a big reason why other teams should have hope heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
A Proven Model
Panthers, Patriots, and Chargers fans, there is hope yet. With new regimes in place for all three franchises, changes are taking place on offense. New England is in the best position to bounce back from an abysmal 2023 season by the offense by drafting a player like Marvin Harrison Jr. The Chargers can also recover from losing both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen by adding a stud receiver with their top selection. Carolina is looking to raise the floor for Bryce Young by giving him more young weapons, but the Panthers don’t pick until the second round. Names like Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze are primed to be top-ten picks in the draft. But if these teams go another route, names like Keon Coleman, Xavier Legette, and Adonai Mitchell become worthy targets later.
Where Green Bay comes into the picture is how the organization has been an example of identifying talent at the position beyond just the top prospects. Carolina, New England, and Los Angeles all have holes to fill on their rosters beyond just at receiver. The temptation will be strong for the Patriots to draft a quarterback with the third overall pick. This means that hitting on a receiver later in the draft becomes that much more important. Jim Harbaugh is starting to shape the Chargers roster to his liking, so that could mean beefing up the offensive line first. Carolina doesn’t have as much flexibility but they do have extra draft capital from previous trades.
All three teams can look to Green Bay as a model for how to approach the draft. That starts with taking multiple swings at the position instead of just one big one.
The Lesser Known Prospects Giving Packers Hope
As mentioned, Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze are dominating the first-round conversation at receiver. Later in the draft, however, teams can find talented players with different skill sets. From jump-ball specialists to burners, there are all sorts of flavors in this upcoming draft. Here are a couple to watch out for:
Xavier Legette: A late bloomer, Legette has all the potential to be a draft steal. As a super senior, Legette exploded and dominated his team’s target share at South Carolina. With the ball in his hands, he has power and can run through tackles. Once Legette is in the open space, he can turn on the jets. Some of his best work is done after the catch, and he can also contribute as a blocker. Between his physical edge and breakaway speed, Legette has shades of Deebo Samuel in his game. Look for him to land on day two and make one team very happy.
Malachi Corley: A receiver who plays bigger than his size, Corley could be a gem in the draft. While he played his career at Western Kentucky, he broke school records and also became a standout at the Senior Bowl. Corley’s bully mentality makes him a threat to score at any point in the field. He doesn’t shy away from contact and is often able to run through it. His stock rose after the Senior Bowl, and he could sneak into the early second round of the draft.
Main Photo: Dan Powers – USA Today Sports
