The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Colorado receiver Laviska Shenault:
What he can do
– Calling him a receiver is an injustice; should have his own position labeled ‘offensive weapon’ due to his versatility
– Chose Colorado over other notable schools such as LSU and Alabama, among others
– Extremely bulky for a receiver; weighed in at the NFL Scouting Combine at 6-1, 227
– Lined up all over the offensive formation; ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’ receiver, running back, H-back, and yes, even quarterback
– Two words can be used to describe him: shifty and explosive. His short-area quickness is impressive. Good luck getting him down in the open field 1-on-1
– Strong lower body allows him to easily run through arm tackles. PFF credited him with 29 broken tackles in 2018 and 15 in 2019
– Piled up 2,223 scrimmage yards on just 191 career touches (11.7 yards per touch). Had 77 touches for 925 scrimmage yards in 2019; an astounding 393 yards came after contact
– Strong at the catch point. Caught 14-of-22 contested catches over the past two seasons
– Route running is unpolished. Colorado schemed a lot of production for him in the form of screens, smoke routes, slant/flat route concepts and manufactured running plays
– Willing blocker in the run game and on screens
– Can be overly physical after the catch. Needs to avoid contact in preventable situations
– Durability is a legitimate concern; dealt with a toe injury and torn labrum in his shoulder during the 2018 season, both of which required surgery. He will undergo surgery again to address a core muscle injury that nagged him during the 2019 season (four to six-week recovery time)
How he fits
The Packers lacked creativity when the passing game didn’t involve Aaron Jones or Davante Adams in 2019. Shenault would add an unpredictable element to Green Bay’s offense starting on Day 1. Not only would his presence open up opportunities for other players, but he’d pose a threat of popping off for an explosive run/catch on any given play. His versatility in being able to line up anywhere along the formation cannot be understated, either.
NFL comp
Has a similar style and build to the 49ers’ Deebo Samuel (6-0, 215) and the Titans’ A.J. Brown (6-1, 226), both of whom were rookie receivers in 2019. Each had a significant impact for their clubs in their debut seasons, combining for 2,072 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns. Both were YAC monsters; of their combined 1,853 receiving yards, 938 yards came after the catch. Like Samuel and Brown did for their respective teams, Shenault would provide the Packers with dynamic ability after the catch.
Where Packers could get him
Likely in the first round at pick No. 30. There’s a small chance Shenault could fall to No. 62, especially since his stock has been trending down since the NFL Scouting Combine, but it’s unlikely he’d fall past the mid-second round.
The NFL is a copy cat league, so teams could be eager to follow suit with how the Niners and Titans utilized their rookie receivers. Both Samuel (No. 36) and Brown (No. 51) were second-round picks. Depending on how the rest of the receivers fall in this year’s draft, Shenault could be picked as early as the late first round. The medical rechecks in late April will be crucial for Shenault.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones