The Green Bay Packers have nine wide receivers on the roster behind Davante Adams, a three-time Pro Bowler and the team’s No. 1 target in the passing game. The Packers didn’t draft a receiver but still added three newcomers to the roster this offseason, setting up what should be an interesting summer at the position.
Despite issues with consistency and overall performance last season, both coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst expressed confidence in the group entering the 2020 season.
Here’s a full breakdown of the nine receivers after Adams on the depth chart:
Allen Lazard
Height, weight, 40: 6-5, 227, 4.55
What to know: Undrafted free agent signed off of the Jaguars practice squad in late 2018. Broke out in 2019 with an impressive season, catching 35 of 52 targets for 477 yards and three scores. Averaged 9.2 yards per target and turned 24 of 35 catches into first downs or touchdowns, including 13 on third down. Dropped weight before the season and looked quicker as a route runner. The former Iowa State star has a big frame and a massive catch radius. Not a true vertical threat but still managed to create big plays down the field. Produced six catches of 20 or more yards, including all three of his touchdowns. Big touchdowns against the Lions turned each game. Aaron Rodgers had a passer rating of 115.6 when targeting him in 2019. A strong bond is forming between the two. Was the Packers’ top receiver last season and the No. 18 overall receiver in the NFL in terms of DVOA, although his 52 targets only just made the cutoff. His arrow is pointing up entering 2020, but teams will adjust. Developing a counter to the counter will determine if he continues ascending or falls back to Earth.
Likely role: The most viable candidate to be the No. 2 receiver, given the confidence gained from his breakout 2019 season, the ability to win from every receiver spot and the trust formed with the quarterback. Not explosive but looks capable of handling high volume of targets. Also, he’s a physical player who not only loves blocking but is an asset doing it.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Height, weight, 40: 6-4, 206, 4.37
What to know: Fifth-round pick in 2018 has 64 catches for 1,033 yards and four touchdowns over his first 32 NFL games. Averaging 16.1 yards per catch but has caught only 49.6 percent of career targets, highlighting his hit-or-miss playstyle. Big plays are his game; of his 64 catches, 15 have gained 20 or more yards. Nine have gained 40 or more. Straight-line speed is threatening on every play. Created big plays in wins over the Bears, Broncos, Lions and Raiders during first two months of 2019 but knee and ankle injuries suffered in October helped submarine his sophomore season. Played sparingly down the stretch and will now have to fight for snaps and targets entering Year 3. Finished 72nd among in DVOA and 103rd in overall grade at PFF among all NFL receivers. Lack of polish and variety as a receiver is holding him back.
Likely role: Vertical threat who can stretch the field by out-running most cornerbacks and safeties. Essentially a one-trick pony. Lacks nuances required of a consistent intermediate receiver and isn’t dynamic after the catch but his size and speed can be a valuable combination in a specific role.
Devin Funchess
Height, weight, 40: 6-4, 225, 4.7
What to know: Second-round pick of the Panthers in 2015. Played just one game as a member of the Colts last season – broke his collarbone in Week 1 and didn’t play again. Caught 161 passes for 2,233 yards and 21 touchdowns in Carolina between 2015-18. Left the Panthers ranked fifth in team history in touchdown catches. Averaged 7.2 yards per target but caught just 51.8 percent of targets, a result of Cam Newton’s erratic accuracy and a high percentage of contested catch opportunities. Drops became a recurring problem. Had a career year in 2017, catching 63 passes for 840 yards and eight touchdowns while tallying 15 catches over 20 yards and averaging 7.6 yards per target. Not really a deep threat (only four career catches over 40 yards), more of an intermediate weapon. Lacks straight-line speed but made a living catching back-shoulder throws, winning on in-breaking routes and out-muscling corners at the catch point. One of the biggest receivers in football. Often drew the coverage of No. 1 cornerbacks in Carolina. Should have the versatility to play outside and in the slot.
Likely role: Big, physical receiver who can create passing windows from a variety of alignments while winning 50-50 balls on back-shoulder throws and in the red zone using size and play strength. Needs to be more consistent catching the football to earn new quarterback’s trust.
Equanimeous St. Brown
Height, weight, 40: 6-5, 214, 4.47
What to know: Missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury. Caught 21 passes for 328 yards while playing 358 snaps as a rookie, averaging 15.6 yards per catch. Caught 58.3 percent of targets, averaged 9.1 yards per target and turned 13 of 21 catches (61.9 percent) into first downs. Didn’t have a drop. Five of 21 catches gained 20 or more yards. Helped set up game-winning field goal vs. 49ers with 19-yard catch along the sideline with 15 seconds left. Averaged 5.7 yards after the catch. Had three games with over 50 yards receiving, including career-high 94 on five catches against Jets on Dec. 23.
Likely role: Size-speed receiver who can play on the perimeter in big formations and in the slot in spread looks. Works the middle of the field, can win after the catch and plays physical in the run game. With a significant development step, St. Brown could assume many of the snaps that went to Geronimo Allison in 2019.
Jake Kumerow
Height, weight, 40: 6-4, 209, 4.56
What to know: Undrafted free agent from Wisconsin-Whitewater. Caught 20 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns over 19 games the last two seasons. Averaging 16.1 yards per catch and an impressive 10.1 yards per target. Willing blocker in the run game. Only targeted 32 times in two years. Can be a deceptive route runner but lacks the juice to consistently elude coverage.
Likely role: Depth receiver who has the trust of the quarterback, can win in pockets of space down the field and gives it his all as a blocker in the run game. Ideally, he’d be the fifth or sixth receiver on a roster.
Darrius Shepherd
Height, weight, 40: 5-11, 186, 4.57
What to know: Undrafted free agent from North Dakota State. Rookie tryout player who impressed during the summer and made the 53-man roster. Struggled as a returner, losing nine yards on two punt returns (fumble lost) and gaining just 147 yards on nine kickoff returns. Cut after six games and returned on the practice squad. Has some quickness and savvy as a slot receiver and will likely get another shot as a returner.
Likely role: Possible candidate to be a slot receiver/returner combination as the final receiver on the roster. Wasn’t ready for the role as a rookie in 2019 but will be another year developed in 2020.
Reggie Begelton
Height, weight, 40: 6-0, 200, 4.53
What to know: Record-breaking receiver at Lamar University who starred in the CFL the last three seasons. Caught 102 passes for 1,444 yards and 10 touchdowns during an all-star season in 2019. Named the “Most Outstanding Player” for the Calgary Stampeders. Had five games of 100 or more receiving yards. Finished career in the CFL with 149 catches, 2,236 yards and 12 scores. Set school records at Lamar in catches and receiving yards. Signed with the Packers in January.
Likely role: Possession receiver who can handle a high volume of short to intermediate targets and add some value after the catch.
Malik Taylor
Height, weight, 40: 6-2, 216, 4.46
What to know: Undrafted free agent from Ferris State. Caught 121 passes for 2,091 yards, including a career-high 61 catches and six scores in 2017. Produced 1,017 receiving yards in 2016. Signed in Green Bay in July of 2019. Spent the entire season on the Packers’ practice squad in 2019.
Likely role: Possibly a practice squad candidate. Will be challenged to jump others in front of him for a spot on the 53-man roster but knows the offense after spending the entire 2019 season on the practice squad.
Darrell Stewart
Height, weight, 40: 6-0, 212, 4.55
What to know: Undrafted free agent from Michigan State. Finished college career with at least one catch in 33 straight games and the third-most catches (150) in Spartans history. Missed four games in 2019 but still finished with 697 receiving yards, four touchdowns and 14 catches over 20 yards. Produced 2,363 all-purpose yards, adding yardage as a runner, punt returner and kick returner. Did majority of his damage in the slot. Dropped too many passes.
Likely role: Practice squad candidate, although he’s a capable slot receiver and can return punts and kicks, giving him a chance to be the late riser of this group.
[lawrence-related id=44681]
[vertical-gallery id=39134]