Of the 255 players selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, 35 of them were wide receivers – the second-most popular position among teams. Not a single one of them was taken by the Green Bay Packers, who many people thought needed help at wideout entering the draft.
Yet, they made their nine picks last month without adding any further depth to their receiving corps.
It was one of the bigger surprises of draft weekend, especially considering Green Bay traded up for Jordan Love in the first round. But Aaron Rodgers isn’t sweating the fact that the Packers didn’t give him any additional help at wide receiver behind Davante Adams.
He has confidence in the guys currently on the roster, name-dropping a few of them on a conference call with reporters Friday.
The first one he mentioned? Allen Lazard, who went from 2018 undrafted rookie to the Packers’ second-leading receiver with 477 yards last season.
“Well I think there’s some interesting things to look at. You look at the development of a guy like Allen Lazard and what he did last year and his versatility,” Rodgers said. “He was cut at the end of training camp and then quickly put back on the roster I think Week 1, maybe. And 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.”
Equanimeous St. Brown was a raw prospect out of Notre Dame in 2018, but one with a high ceiling. He only caught 21 passes as a rookie, but his development was stunted by an ankle injury that landed him on season-ending IR in August.
Rodgers is looking forward to St. Brown getting back on the field and seeing what he can do in the all-important Year 3.
“I’m excited about getting EQ back from injury and seeing how he feels,” Rodgers said. “He made some great strides his rookie year, especially towards the end of the season, making plays for us and just kind of growing each week. he’s got a great approach to the game. It’ll be fun to see him healthy.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was one of five Packers with at least 400 yards receiving last year, but he struggled to build on what was a promising rookie season in 2018. He saw his numbers decline in targets, receptions and yards last year, but Rodgers hasn’t lost confidence in the 25-year-old wideout.
Rodgers also mentioned Jake Kumerow, who caught 12 passes for 219 yards last season in Green Bay, as a guy he likes heading into 2020.
“MVS is a guy I have a ton of confidence in and I feel like if he can continue to grow, he can really add to our football team and I look for him to make big strides,” he said. “And then Jake Kumerow, as well. Such a steady guy. I’ve been a fan of his since the first time I threw a ball to him. Just love his approach to the game.”
Rodgers doesn’t seem concerned about the Packers’ lack of a true No. 2 receiver opposite Adams. They have bodies at the position, it’s just a matter of a young player stepping up and really progressing next season.