Acquiring more pass-catching weapons for quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a top priority for the Green Bay Packers this offseason, and GM Brian Gutekunst is determined to use both free agency and the draft to get it done.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Packers are “intent on adding on a pass-catcher both in free agency and the draft,” with Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper a likely target in free agency.
A deep and talented group of receivers in the draft class but an underwhelming bunch at tight end makes it’s possible the Packers could target a veteran free agent at tight end – like Hooper or Hunter Henry – and then pair him with a top receiver in the draft, such as TCU’s Jalen Reagor, LSU’s Justin Jefferson or Baylor’s Denzel Mims.
Clearly, the Packers weren’t at all satisfied with an underwhelming group of pass-catchers behind Davante Adams in 2019. Although Allen Lazard broke out over the second half of the season and young tight end Jace Sternberger looks like a breakout candidate for 2020, the Packers need to add speed and playmaking ability at receiver and at least one more reliable target at tight end, especially if both Jimmy Graham, an expected cut, and Marcedes Lewis, a free agent, depart.
Here are some potential pairings of tight ends and receivers in free agency and the draft:
– TE Austin Hooper (FA) and WR Jalen Reagor (draft)
– TE Hunter Henry (FA) and WR Denzel Mims (draft)
– WR A.J. Green (FA) and TE Brycen Hopkins (draft)
– WR Robby Anderson (FA) and TE Hunter Bryant (draft)
– WR Breshad Perriman (FA), TE Eric Ebron (FA) and WR Justin Jefferson (draft)
– TE Tyler Eifert (FA), WR Tee Higgins (draft) and TE Thad Moss (draft)
Thousands of other combinations exist, although the salary cap is a restriction and the draft remains a crapshoot.
The Packers will have options to fill the needs in the passing game, both in the draft and free agency. Many different ways of adding the necessary pieces are available. How Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur get it done might end up defining the Packers offseason.
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