Draft Preview: Wide Receivers

The Packers haven’t picked a wide receiver in the first round since Florida State’s Javon Walker in 2002, but they’ve also never gone into a draft with such little talent at the position. With two-time All-Pro Davante Adams in Las Vegas and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in Kansas City, it’s fair to suggest there isn’t a starting-caliber receiver on the current roster.

Fortunately, general manager Brian Gutekunst has four of the top 59 picks in next month’s draft, and while there’s probably not a JaMarr Chase in this class, there are at least eight wide receivers who could get selected in the first two rounds.




The following are my top 10 wide receivers (this list isn’t meant to necessarily predict the exact order in which these players will be drafted but rather how well they’d fit in the Packers offense. Those two things don’t always go hand-in-hand):

FIRST-ROUND PICKS

Chris Olave won’t be the first wide receiver drafted, but he should be No. 1 on the Packers’ board. He has the skill set to be a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 in the NFL, and just as importantly for a team whose window to win a Super Bowl is almost closed, he’ll be ready to contribute right away. Olave is an outstanding route runner who should gain the trust of demanding quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a hurry. He reminds me of a faster Greg Jennings, and that’s one heck of a compliment.

Garrett Wilson has a slightly higher ceiling than Olave, and that’s why he’ll almost certainly be drafted earlier in round 1. But he’s not nearly as polished as his former teammate at Ohio State, and it might take him some time to reach his potential at the next level. Would the Packers take him at 22? Of course, but he won’t be there. Would the Packers trade up to get him? Perhaps, but if Gutekunst is going to move up for a wide receiver, he’s better off spending those picks on Olave.

Drake London will probably be the first wide receiver chosen in the draft, and Gutekunst would do cartwheels if he’s there at 22 (he definitely won’t be). I have him behind Olave and Wilson because he’s more of a slot receiver, and the Packers really need somebody to line up outside. And while London is certainly skilled enough to make plays from anywhere on the field, he’ll be borderline uncoverable inside. Think of him as a much much better version of Allen Lazard.

Jameson Williams might be available at 22, and if he is, Gutekunst will have a tough decision to make. There’s no question Williams is a first-round talent, but he’s coming off ACL surgery and probably won’t be available until November. That means the chances of him contributing in 2022 are slim. Remember, he won’t be available for any offseason workouts or training camp. Can a team going all-in to win the Super Bowl afford to draft a player for the future?

DAY 2 PICKS

Jahan Dotson is built like a slot receiver, but he’s more effective outside. Aside from Olave and London, he’s probably the most NFL-ready wide receiver in this class. Dotson runs crisp routes and just has a knack for getting open and making plays. What could keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is a lack of size and an inability to break tackles in the open field. If Gutekunst likes Dotson, trading down from 28 and grabbing him early in round 2 would make a lot of sense.

Treylon Burks will probably go in the first round, and he might even be off the board before the Packers pick at 22. He’s a physical specimen who some scouts are comparing to a bigger Deebo Samuel, but I didn’t see it on tape. And that was before he ran a disappointing 4o at the Combine. It’s also important to remember that Samuel was the 36th overall pick in 2019. While I could see Gutekunst taking Burks on Day 1, that would mean passing on several better prospects.

Alec Pierce will be undervalued for the same reason Jordy Nelson, Cole Beasley, Cooper Kupp, and Hunter Renfro were undervalued in their drafts. Scouts still think white guys can’t be quality receivers in the NFL. I expect Pierce to be the next to prove them wrong. He’ll need the right situation to reach his potential at the next level, and the Packers seem like an ideal fit. Matt LaFleur can scheme him open, and Rodgers will appreciate his savvy and willingness to fight for balls.

George Pickens looks the part, and that could tempt some team to reach for him late in round 1. He has prototypical size and speed, and he’ll make some of the prettiest catches you’ll ever see. But his production in college wasn’t great – even before his ACL injury in the spring of 2020. Pickens is the biggest boom-or-bust prospect of all the top receivers in this class. He’d be a bit of a reach at 28, but Gutekunst loves taking terrific athletes on Day 1, and this guy is a terrific athlete.

Christian Watson reminds me so much of Valdes-Scantling. That’s both why I like him and why I don’t see him as a first or maybe even a second-round pick. While his testing numbers are off the chart, much like MVS, he doesn’t project as an all-around wide receiver. He’ll make his share of big plays down the field, but I question whether he’ll be able to consistently get open on short and intermediate routes between the numbers. Watson would be a great value in round 3.

Khalil Shakir wasn’t one of the players I expected to make this list, but his tape made it impossible to keep him off. While he isn’t the biggest or the fastest wide receiver in the world, he just knows how to play the position. A savvy route runner, Shakir consistently comes through in the clutch and can be trusted on third down. He might not be a superstar at the next level, but he’s going to be a productive starter who’ll outperform a number of the receivers drafted ahead of him.


IF I WERE THE GM…

What happens on Apr. 29 depends in large part on what the Packers do in the next four weeks. If Gutekunst trades for someone like Seattle’s DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett, spending a first-round pick on a wide receiver would no longer be a necessity. Otherwise, it’s difficult to justify leaving Day 1 without a potential replacement for Adams. That might mean trading up because it’s beginning to look like Olave, Wilson, London, and maybe even Williams and Burks will be gone by 22.

If Gutekunst wants a potential No. 1, he can’t be passive. Either Wilson or Olave would be great picks, but neither is going to get to 22. In fact, you can be sure the best remaining wide receiver won’t get past 21. I could easily see Kansas City trading up to grab Williams. Moving from 22 to 16 or 17 could cost a third-round pick, but that’s a small price to pay. Plus, with two choices in the second round, Gutekunst would be able to recoup that pick by trading down from 53 or 59.

I know the Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round in 20 years, but they’ve also never been this talent deficient at the position heading into a draft. Could they wait until the second round and hope to get another Adams, Jennings, or Randall Cobb? They could, but it’s difficult to imagine any player picked on Friday being a huge help next season. The instant impact guys are going to go in round 1, and Gutekunst might have to be aggressive to get one of them.

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