On Tuesday, the Packers agreed to terms with former Colts and Panthers receiver Devin Funchess. Now on his third team in three years, Funchess has a lot to prove to resurrect his career. Will he make the Packers organization look smart or foolish?
Well, if the price was right, then the Packers made the right decision.
Numbers have not yet been reported regarding Funchess’ contract, but given the Packers’ cap limitations and the suppression of contract details, it’s a safe assumption that the Packers didn’t break the bank (Consider: former Titans receiver Tajae Sharpe signed with the Vikings for one year and $1.5 million, only $675,000 of which is guaranteed).
An ideal scenario would see Funchess on a veteran minimum deal; an additional carrot-on-the-stick could include “unlikely to be earned” production incentives, which protect the Packers in the event that Funchess doesn’t play well. But that’s the glass-half-empty outlook.
Over the past two seasons, Funchess has started 13 of a possible 32 regular-season games. He’s appeared in 15. In his final season with the Panthers in 2018, Funchess caught 44 of a possible 79 targets for 549 yards and four touchdowns; he also dropped seven passes. More or less Funchess can be a solid if unspectacular player.
Then again, “solid” may be just what the Packers need at the position.
Right now, Davante Adams is the clear-cut No. 1 receiver, but beyond that is a series of question marks. Funchess notwithstanding, the Packers’ No. 2 receiver is probably Allen Lazard, and their third, fourth and fifth receivers on the depth chart all appear to be JAGs (just a guy).
What Brian Gutekunst did by adding a proven veteran – however average he might be – is stabilize the bottom of the receiver depth chart. Funchess replaces Geronimo Allison’s snaps.
And that’s the rub: if the contract is team-friendly as we’re purporting it to be, it’s an upgrade over Allison. Aaron Rodgers simply needed warm bodies who could be counted upon to be in the right spots last year. A low-cost veteran can accomplish that.
Additionally, this move doesn’t preclude the Packers from adding a top-tier receiver in the draft. It’s no secret that a healthy draft class has depressed the veteran market. The Packers are going to invest and upgrade through the draft, but it’s doubly smart to establish a transition plan so the rookie doesn’t have to be immediately productive since rookie wide receivers rarely are.
Funchess may not be an exceptionally fast or quick receiver, but he’s a big body (6-4, 225) with a large catch radius who excels in the scramble drill. He’ll also have Rodgers throwing to him; Rodgers will be, far and away, the most accurate quarterback with whom Funchess has played.
Taken altogether, this is a shrewd move from the Packers’ front office. If he’s unproductive, gets injuries or struggles to see the field, it’s a low-risk gamble. If the gamble pays off, however, it’s home-run free agent signing.
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