The Packers didn’t select a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, but this doesn’t mean that Green Bay’s depth chart at wideout won’t change. The Packers let go of Geronimo Allison and picked up a handful of new faces during the offseason.
Packers Wire predicts Green Bay’s post-draft depth chart at receiver for the 2020 season:
WR1: Davante Adams
As the only established receiver on the Packers’ roster, Adams is expected to do a lot of the heavy lifting for Green Bay’s receiving corps in the 2020 season. The seventh-year player out of Fresno State participated in just 12 games in 2019, but he was still extremely productive. Adams caught 83 passes for 997 yards and five touchdowns. In the middle of his prime, Adams shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He should be in for another huge season in 2020.
WR2: Allen Lazard
Coming off a breakout season in 2019, Lazard will now return to Green Bay as a premier weapon for Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense. The 6-foot-5 receiver out of Iowa State was Green Bay’s second-leading receiver in 2019. He caught 47 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns. In the 2020 season, Lazard could become the legit No. 2 threat that the Packers desperately need.
WR3: Devin Funchess
Funchess had four productive seasons as a Carolina Panther before he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in his first and only season with the Indianapolis Colts. With the Panthers, Funchess was one of Cam Newton’s favorite targets. He caught 161 passes for 2,233 yards and 21 touchdowns in Carolina. In his first season as a Packer, Funchess will look to make plays as a big receiver with physicality and the versatility to play on the perimeter and in the slot. He doesn’t have to be Green Bay’s best receiver, but he will need to find ways to make the Packers’ offense better.
WR4: Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Valdes-Scantling had a good start to the 2019 season. In his first seven games, the speedy receiver out of South Florida caught 21 passes for 416 yards. But, after he tallied 133 receiving yards against the Raiders on October 20th, MVS only caught five passes for the rest of the season. Much of his struggles down the stretch can be attributed to nagging knee and ankle injuries. Valdes-Scantling has shown flashes of his skill, but he has never been able to consistently show up. In 2020, the Packers will need the third-year receiver to stay healthy and consistent.
WR5: Jake Kumerow
The Packers don’t have the deepest wide receiver room in the NFL, but Kumerow is a capable player that can provide Green Bay with some depth at the position. The former UW-Whitewater standout has earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers, which will help him when he gets on the field. He didn’t put up the biggest numbers in 2019 (Kumerow caught just 12 passes), but if one of Green Bay’s top receivers falls to injury, the Packers know they can count on Kumerow to step up.
WR6: Equanimeous St. Brown
After an impressive rookie season, St. Brown never got the chance to play in his sophomore campaign. He suffered an ankle injury and was placed on IR before the season started. When St. Brown is on the field, he is a dynamic playmaker that can be a really tough matchup for opposing defensive backs. Standing at 6-foot-5, St. Brown has the size to win jump balls and also the quickness to make tacklers miss in the open field. A healthy St. Brown would be a positive development for Green Bay’s offense.
WR7: Darrius Shepherd
Shepherd had his fair share of struggles during his rookie season. He only saw the field in five games, and most of his contributions came on special teams. In the 2020 season, the Packers coaching staff hopes that Shepherd will be able to step up and improve on his disappointing first season. Shepherd will have to perform at a much higher level if he wants to force his way into the Packers’ playing rotation at wideout.
WR8: Reggie Begelton
Begelton is a bit of an enigma. He has yet to play a single snap in the NFL, but he dominated the Canadian Football League. In the 2019 CFL season, Begelton caught 102 passes for 1,444 yards and ten touchdowns, all of which were career-highs. In the 2020 season, Begelton could be in a position to help Green Bay on offense. However, If you expect Begelton to put up the type of numbers that he did in Canada, you are probably setting yourself up for disappointment. It is much more likely that Begelton develops into a solid backup for the Packers.
WR9: Malik Taylor
Despite missing most of his senior season due to injury, Taylor still left his mark as one of the greatest pass-catchers in Ferris State University history. He finished his collegiate career with 121 receptions and 2,091 yards. The 6-foot-2 wideout also excelled on special teams. As a kick returner, Taylor averaged 19.3 yards per return in his final season. Taylor will likely need to find his niche on special teams if he is to make Green Bay’s 53-man roster. Injury to wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart is probably the only way that Taylor would earn significant playing time on offense.
WR10: Darrell Stewart Jr.
Stewart Jr. was a do-it-all contributor for three years at Michigan State. He caught 150 passes, returned 23 kicks for 551 yards, and racked up 152 rushing yards. Stewart’s versatility will be key, especially in his rookie season. His ability to do a little bit of everything could make him a valuable asset for the Packers. In the slot will likely be his best chance at contributing. Because he likely won’t be able to find much playing time in his first NFL season, Stewart may need to make his name on the practice squad in order to climb up the depth chart.
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