Why the Packers won’t take a wide receiver in the first round… again

The Green Bay Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft for almost two decades, since Javon Walker was selected 20^th overall way back in 2002.

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the receiver position in Green Bay, as the futures of Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Randall Cobb and perhaps even Allen Lazard are in doubt, leading to plenty of mock drafts pegging the Packers to take a receiver with their first pick in 2022.

While this is certainly possible and should not be ruled out, it is more likely Green Bay sticks with its tried and tested formula for the positions they target in the first round.

The Packers have preferred to spend their most valuable draft selections on premium positions over the years, such as cornerback (Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander), edge rusher (Rashan Gary), defensive tackle (Kenny Clark) and yes, even quarterback (Jordan Love).

Offensive tackle could of course be thrown into this mix as well, but the presence of David Bakhtiari has made it unnecessary for the Packers to use a first-round pick on a tackle who would play on the right side anyway.

This strategy has served Green Bay well over the years, and they have instead found plenty of success by drafting wide receivers in the second round and beyond.

Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings. All second-round picks. James Jones was found in the third round and MVS in the fifth.

There is proven value in taking receivers in the lower rounds, meanwhile plenty of pass catchers taken in the first round become busts every year. For every Ja’Marr Chase, there is a N’Keal Harry or a John Ross.

The Packers will likely add multiple receivers via this year’s draft, and there is a very realistic scenario in which they pick up a wide receiver in the second round followed by a tight end in the third.

So, which positions could Green Bay target in the first round instead?

Edge rusher could prove to be a particular area of emphasis this year.

The Packers committed to the position in 2019 by signing Za’Darius and Preston Smith as big-money free agents and drafting Rashan Gary as well.

With one of the Smith’s almost certain to be gone as the Packers grapple with the salary cap, and backups Tipa Galeai and Jonathan Garvin offering precious little in relief, Green Bay could target an edge defender early in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Packers also find themselves relatively thin on the defensive interior, and could finally get Kenny Clark the true running mate he needs to turn the defensive line into a true strength.

A sneaky area of need could be safety, with Green Bay facing decisions over Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. Savage’s fifth-year option would need to be picked up this offseason, and his up and down performances in green and gold will make that a difficult choice to make.

Amos is entering the final year of his contract and will turn 29 soon, although he may be a candidate to receive an extension.

The old saying when it comes to the draft is ‘best player available’, and it would not be a surprise to see the Packers select almost any position in the first round this April.

But based on the precedent they have set over many years, expect them to address their wide receiver issues on day two and three.