Davante Adams is a star and a three-time Pro Bowler who is almost always included within the NFL’s top tier of wide receivers, but the rest of the Green Bay Packers receivers will go into the 2020 season with plenty to prove to outsiders.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked all 32 of the NFL’s wide receiver groups entering this season, and the Packers – with so many unknowns behind Adams – ranked 24th.
PFF backed the ranking by noting the Packers receivers ranked 25th in overall receiving grade last season. The team did little to significantly upgrade the talent base of the position this offseason, waiting until deep into free agency to swap Geronimo Allison for Devin Funchess and missing out on all the top receivers in the 2020 draft class.
Adams will continue to be Aaron Rodgers’ top target, but it will fall on the shoulders of several receivers – including Funchess, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown – to lift the rest of the group and help the Packers improve in a meaningful way in the passing game.
All offseason, the Packers’ brass expressed confidence in the group. If all goes to plan, Funchess will provide a physical, veteran presence, Lazard will continue his ascension after breaking out in 2019, Valdes-Scantling will grow into a reliable deep threat, and St. Brown will emerge as a viable slot option. Even if only one of the above scenarios plays out, the Packers will be better at receiver.
But the group is ranked so low entering 2020 because skepticism in the players remains high.
Funchess had productive seasons in Carolina, but he was inefficient as a target and suffered from drop issues, and he’s not a threatening speed presence. He also played just one game last season after breaking his collarbone in Week 1.
The analytics really liked Lazard’s work in 2019, and he now has the trust of both Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. Will he keep ascending now that teams have a year of tape on him? It’s a challenge for all young players. Taking the next step – from surprise contributor to consistent contributor – can be a tough one.
Valdes-Scantling will get a chance to rebound after injuries and inconsistency wrecked his second season. He has the size and speed to be a dangerous deep threat, but can he become a more complete receiver in Year 3? Developing individual consistency and a connection with Rodgers should be primary goals.
St. Brown missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury and is now a mystery entering 2020. He is talented, but missing a full season can be devastating for a young player.
The Packers also have Jake Kumerow, who has won over Rodgers, and several other young players, including Darrius Shepherd, Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton and rookie undrafted free agent Darrell Stewart.
Overall, the receiver group behind Adams includes six undrafted free agents, two Day 3 picks and Funchess, a second-round pick of the Panthers. It’s a group that hasn’t been bolstered by big investments. The Packers are banking on internal improvement to help an important position in the passing game.