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The Green Bay Packers will go into the 2020 NFL draft with a chance to use the team’s 10 draft picks to build on a roster that finished 13-3 and advanced to the NFC title game in 2019. GM Brian Gutekunst has three picks in the top 100 selections and seven Day 3 picks.
Packers Wire’s position-by-position draft preview rolls on at wide receiver:
On the roster
Davante Adams, 27, signed through 2021
Devin Funchess, 25, signed through 2020
Jake Kumerow, 28, signed through 2020
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, 25, signed through 2021
Equanimeous St. Brown, 23, signed through 2021
Allen Lazard, 24, signed through 2020
Darius Shepherd, 24, signed through 2020
Reggie Begelton, 26, signed through 2022
Malik Taylor, 24, signed through 2020
Short term need
High. The Packers signed Devin Funchess to a one-year deal, Equanimeous St. Brown will return from injury and Allen Lazard is coming off a breakout 2019 season, but the Packers still don’t have a sure-fire No. 2 threat behind Davante Adams. In fact, it could be easily argued that the Packers have a true No. 1 receiver and then a bunch of No. 3 and No. 4 options. Acquiring a secondary threat with a trump card should be a top priority, whether it’s as a vertical threat or a dependable target from the slot. A better No. 2 should mean a more effective and consistent passing game.
Long term need
Also high. It’s possible one of the young players will take a step and become a long-term fixture at receiver, but the status of the position looks shaky even beyond 2020, and Adams and both the 2018 draft picks have expiring contracts following the 2021 season. It’s time for the Packers to start putting together new puzzle pieces for the next wave of pass-catchers, which could possibly be the last group Aaron Rodgers plays with in Green Bay.
Chances of drafting position
It’s just about guaranteed. A combination of need, an abundance of top-50 talent in the draft class and overall depth of the draft class (see below) should all but ensure the Packers grab at least one receiver next week. It’s even possible the Packers will double-dip and grab two or more receivers. While unclear when the Packers will draft a receiver, it would be absolutely shocking if they got through all three days without taking at least one.
Depth of draft class
Very strong. Like running back, there may not be a once-in-a-generation receiver in this class, but the impressive depth at receiver is astounding. As many as 10 receivers could go in the first two rounds and 20-25 total receivers could come off the board in the first four rounds, and there will be good pass-catchers picked well into Day 3. A team with a strong history of identifying good receivers like the Packers should have no problem finding several players on each day of the draft worth taking.
Potential options
Justin Jefferson, LSU
Jalen Reagor, TCU
Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State
Denzel Mims, Baylor
Michael Pittman, USC
Chase Claypool, Notre Dame
Lynn Bowden, Kentucky
John Hightower, Boise State
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
Gabriel Davis, UCF
Quez Watkins, Southern Miss
Joe Reed, Virginia
Last WR drafted
2018. The Packers drafted J’Mon Moore out of Missouri with 133rd overall pick, Marquez Valdes-Scantling out of USF with the 174th overall pick and Equanimeous St. Brown out of Notre Dame with the 207th overall pick.
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