We are eight practices into Packers training camp and Romeo Doubs has easily been the darling so far.
The fourth round selection out of Nevada has done things in camp that many skill guys can only dream of doing. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound wideout has made himself look even bigger by catching balls in traffic, running past defensive backs and always being aware of the sideline and the situation.
“Every single day, there’s been at least one kind of wow play from him,” said Aaron Rodgers. “And that’s rare for a young guy like that. Now we’ve had guys over the years kind of do that, but they’re all in the top 10 I think in the Packers receiving history.”
Think about that for a second. Rodgers just compared a rookie to guys like Donald Driver, Davante Adams, Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings. Every single one of those guys is top 10 in franchise history for receiving yards and every one has had the privilege of catching passes from Rodgers.
That is penthouse praise for a guy that was labeled as a “linear route-runner who will struggle to elude NFL press and separate from tight man coverage over the first two levels.” Doubs has been feasting on all kinds of coverage in camp and the main reason is because he has strong hands and can easily snatch away a tight-window pass from a defender. It also helps that Doubs has been able to get plenty of reps.
“He’s had a lot of opportunities,” Rodgers said. “Which has been great. You know, with Sammy (Watkins) not practicing a couple days and obviously Christian (Watson) being out; a lot of opportunities for him. He’s made the most of it.”
There are three things you really want from a wideout. You want them to not back down from contact, you want them to go get the ball and you want them to be polished route runners. Those three things are necessary and Doubs has shown all three of those things in camp so far. Does that mean that he has been perfect so far in camp?
“He’s still making mental mistakes, but you expect those,” Rodgers said.
So, remember when the sky was falling after the draft when all of the national media folks were claiming that the Packers offense would suffer because they don’t have a capable receiver? Well, Doubs looks pretty polished to me. And he’s driving a pretty good defense nuts in the process. Just think, the Packers may have found a gem in the fourth round, while upgrading their defense even more.
It no longer is a stretch to think that Doubs could be NFL Rookie of the Year. He looks like a third year pro at practice — not a rookie getting his feet wet for the first time. He has the “It” quality that quarterbacks love to see. He isn’t letting anything stop him right now. And the best part is that we are seeing a potential star bud before our eyes simply because he was given a chance.
“I think that nobody knows his ceiling just yet,” said fellow wideout Randall Cobb, who is about to enter his 12th NFL season.
#Packers 4th-round WR Romeo Doubs has been the sensation of GB training camp, with Aaron Rodgers telling reporters that “every single day” Doubs has made at least one “wow play.”
Here’s Doubs making a nice catch during their team scrimmage Saturday.pic.twitter.com/FddshBhNoO
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 7, 2022
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on “Clubhouse Live” and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn