Who do you think led the Packers in targets last year?
If you said Christian Watson, guess again. If you said, Jayden Reed, you would be close, but alas, you’d be wrong.
Romeo Doubs led the Packers in targets with 96 last year. The fourth round pick out of Nevada has impressed everyone and his ability to shed defenders with solid route running has been impressive.
But Doubs is just a part of the answer. Reed led the Packers with 64 receptions and 793 yards. It wasn’t just wideouts however. Tucker Kraft had the best catch percentage by hauling in 77.5 with fellow tight end Luke Musgrave’s 73.9 not far behind.
Jordan Love has to be smiling from ear to ear about now. Eleven Packers pass catchers had double digit receptions last year. That includes six wide receivers, three running backs and two tight ends.
The reason why this is comforting is because the Packers don’t have to rely on just one guy to move the chains or get in the end zone. There are so many guys on this team that can catch the ball. Of AJ Dillon’s 22 receptions, 10 went for first downs. That tells me that Love not only trusts everyone to make plays, but he knows that they can do it in big spots.
Bo Melton only played in five games and he caught 16 passes. Many didn’t even know who the former seventh round pick was until he caught four passes at Carolina and started at Minnesota on New Year’s Eve the following week.
That is catnip for pass catchers. If you get open, Love will find you. That’s it. Just do your job and he will do his.
It blew me away when I heard some people say that the Packers should go after a wideout early in the 2023 NFL Draft. Green Bay might have the best collection of pass catchers in the league. Adding to that would’ve been unnecessary — especially for a team that went from 14th in offensive points in 2022 to 12th in 2023.
More will be asked of Love this year, but without the added stress. It will be like wanting all the flavor of Coca-Cola but opting for Coke Zero. He can play as loose as he wants because he knows that just about anyone that he throws to is able and willing to do what’s asked.
But looking at it from the other perspective, it’s also a great time to be a Packers pass catcher. They know that all they have to do is create space and Love will find them. That’s pretty empowering for young guys that are trying to create their own legacy.
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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
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