Everybody knows the Green Bay Packers biggest need entering the 2022 NFL Draft is at wide receiver. The loss of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling leaves the Packers with big holes to fill as they do not currently have a legitimate WR 1 on their roster.
Fortunately, there are several quality wide receivers available in this year’s draft. Most draft analysts expect either five or six wideouts to go in the first round. With the Packers armed with the 22nd and 28th picks in the first round and two additional picks in the second round, they have the ammunition to land one or more quality receivers whether they choose to trade up or use their current picks late in the first round.
Today we will examine the top six wide receivers in this year’s draft and discuss how well they fit or don’t fit in the Green Bay offense and the expectations the Packers have in a receiver.
Keep in mind that no player is a perfect fit and almost all of them can be productive in some way in the offense if they work hard and stay healthy. The analysis is based on the take of scouts and experts and my own film analysis of these players.
Expect the Packers to select more than one wide receiver in this draft with one likely coming in the first round and another possibly coming on day two of the draft. GM Brian Gutekunst may also opt to obtain a wide receiver in a trade or sign another moderately-priced free agent. But here is a look at how the top six wide receiver prospects fit into the Packers offense and depth chart as of now.
The players are not listed in any particular order:
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Wilson is not as tall as the Packers tend to like their receivers. He stands 6’ and weighs about 185 pounds and the Packers tend to prefer taller and thicker players at the receiver position.
Versatility is one of Wilson’s best assets and the Packers could line him up in several different positions on the field to create mismatches, something Matt LaFleur loves to do and did often with Adams.
He is also a precise route runner and is elusive after the catch both of which would certainly make Aaron Rodgers happy.
Because of his lack of size, Wilson may start his NFL career as a slot receiver and with Randall Cobb and Amari Rodgers on the roster, that is one area the Packers don’t have an immediate need for.
Drake London, USC
When it comes to size, London fits the Packers prototype to a “T” at 6’4” and 210 pounds. He is also strong and makes a lot of contested catches.
The former USC star is also a precise route runner which may help him gain the trust of Aaron Rodgers which has not always been easy for young receivers to do.
However, London is not as speedy as the Packers would ideally like in a wide receiver. He struggled at times to gain separation from college cornerbacks and may struggle even more at the NFL level where the players are bigger, faster and have better technique in coverage.
Chris Olave, Ohio State
Olave has the diversity the Packers look for in a receiver. Because of his varied skill set, the Packers could line him up in several different positions during a game once he grasps the offense and that could help LaFleur create favorable matchups in the passing game.
Like Adams, Olave also does a good job of gaining an advantage off the snap of the ball and keeping defensive backs guessing as to what type of pattern he will run.
Olave only stands 6’ tall so he lacks the ideal height the Packers seek. He may not have as much upside as some of the other receivers at the top of this year’s draft but he is further along in his development than most of them. More scouts regard Olave as a talented WR2 than a legitimate WR1 although he could certainly prove them all wrong.
George Pickens, Georgia
Pickens has two things the Packers really like. He is 6’3” which gives him the desired height the Packers prefer and he has outstanding speed. In addition, Pickens times his jumps well and can go up and get high passes ahead of most defensive backs.
Most scouts project Pickens as an outside receiver and with his speed, he could easily be a replacement for MVS in the Packers offense.
One thing Pickens needs to improve is his route running. If he doesn’t run exact routes, he could easily get on his quarterback’s bad side. But if he can do that, Pickens can become a more well-rounded receiver which would put him at a level above Valdes-Scantling.
The other area of concern with Pickens is his health. The former Georgia star only played four games in 2021 after suffering an ACL tear during spring football. If his knee checks out and he adds a little more upper-body strength, Pickens could provide the Packers with a deep threat immediately and potentially more.
Jameson Williams, Alabama
Williams has all the tools you look for in a receiver. He stands 6’1” although at 190 pounds, he may need to add a little more upper-body strength to maximize his potential in the NFL.
Scouts love Williams’ hands and speed and in college, he did a good job of separating from defenders. He also is dangerous with the ball after he makes the catch.
Williams also runs a variety of pass patterns and can already do more than just get deep with his speed. He should be able to win over Rodgers’ trust quicker than most rookie receivers.
The former Alabama star probably has the most upside of any wide receiver in this draft and can be a legitimate WR1 if and when he reaches his full potential.
But there’s a catch. Williams suffered a torn ACL in the national championship game last January and he may not be 100 percent when the 2022 NFL season gets underway. The Packers are also not sure if the injury diminished his speed and cutting ability.
Williams may have the most upside of anybody in this draft but he may also be the biggest gamble and may not be able to play at full strength this season as he recovers.
Christian Watson, North Dakota State
Watson is very physically gifted. He has the size (6’4”, 210 pounds) and speed that the Packers love in a receiver and may have the best raw measurables of any receivers in this year’s draft. He had an easy time separating from defenders in college and is great at getting under long passes. If he and Rodgers get on the same page, Watson could be more lethal than MVS ever was.
He also has experience as a return specialist, something the Packers need. He can run gadget plays like jet sweeps and did so successfully in college. He also blocked well on running plays in college since North Dakota State ran a run-heavy offense.
Despite his athletic gifts, there are questions about Watson. He had a lot of drops in college and needs to improve his concentration. He has a tendency to body catch. He also didn’t have to run too many patterns at North Dakota State. He will have to learn to run accurate patterns and learn a much thicker playbook in the NFL.
He will also be making a big jump from an FCS school to the NFL. The defenders he will be facing will be much bigger and more talented than they were in college. His strong performance in the Senior Bowl may alleviate some of those concerns.
Watson will also be 23 next month so he’s a little older than some of the other receivers available in this year’s draft. If he also needs more time to adjust to playing in the NFL, that is something teams need to consider.
If his hands check out and the Packers are confident he can make the jump to the NFL quickly, Watson could be just the kind of athlete the Packers are looking for at wide receiver.
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers