Packers GM Brian Gutekunst surprised many people in the NFL community with his decision to not draft a wide receiver in the loaded 2020 NFL Draft earlier this year.
Between free agency and the draft, the only somewhat notable addition to the Packers’ receiver group was former Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Devin Funchess.
In his last relatively healthy season with the Panthers in 2018, Funchess caught 44 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns. In his career-best 2017 season, he caught 63 passes for 840 yards and eight touchdowns.
Funchess can certainly compete for a starting role in the Packers’ offense, and he’s shown that he can be a decent player in the past, but – judging by his four-year sample size of results as a starter – he’s probably not going to be a major difference-maker for the green and gold or a long-term solution to the team’s receiver depth issue.
Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jake Kumerow will all fight for starting receiver spots, as well. Based on the way last year went, Lazard appears to have a leg up on the rest of the competition.
Lazard stepped into the No. 2 receiver role last season and exceeded expectations after not making the initial 53-man roster. He didn’t do enough in his first season as a Packer to erase all concerns about the team’s receiver depth, but he showed promise and he’s probably the favorite to win the No. 2 receiver job this year.
Why he’ll break out: Lazard is in the driver’s seat for a starting job after earning the No. 2 receiver role last year. With Jimmy Graham gone, he could see even more targets as Aaron Rodgers’ second-most trusted receiver behind Davante Adams.
Lazard has now had a season to build rapport with Rodgers and a year to learn head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. Increased familiarity with the offense and his quarterback could lead to a much larger role in 2020.
With Adams drawing extra attention as a premier NFL receiver, Lazard should get plenty of 1-on-1 opportunities.
If running backs A.J. Dillon and Aaron Jones turn out to be a really strong backfield tandem and it increases the effectiveness of the Packers’ play-action game and leads to more stacked boxes, Lazard could benefit.
Why he might not break out: Adams is still likely to command the lion’s share of targets, and Lazard isn’t guaranteed to see a steady dose himself. Funchess, St. Brown or Valdes-Scantling could surprise and cut into his playing time. Second-year tight end Jace Sternberger could also emerge as Rodgers’ preferred secondary option in the passing game.
Another reason Lazard might not break out is the shift in offensive philosophy. Gutekunst and LaFleur said earlier this offseason that they want to be a “run-based offense.” Drafting Dillon in the second round while they still have Jones on the roster suggests that the run game will be a point of emphasis going forward. That could mean less opportunities for a player like Lazard.
They said it: “By the end of the season, he was called upon many, many times in important situations to make big plays and he did. He’s just a great teammate, an ascending player, loved his approach every week and he made some big-time plays for us.” – quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Previous 2020 Packers breakout candidates:
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