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 Kentucky receiver Lynn Bowden Jr.:
What he can do
– Combination of quick, evasive, fluid and tough with the ball in his hands. Natural and creative playmaker. Will make tacklers miss at the next level
– On the smaller side. Only 5-10, with short arms and small hands. Didn’t stop him from barreling through tacklers or winning between the tackles as a running quarterback
– Had to play quarterback for Kentucky for eight games in 2019. Attempted only 74 passes but ran for almost 1,500 yards and 13 scores
– Caught 67 passes as a full-time receiver in 2018. Have to wonder if move to quarterback in 2019 stunted long-term development at receiver
– Will have immediate gadget value. Think jet sweeps, quick screens, possibly even snaps in the backfield. Smart teams will expand role during developmental window at receiver
– Future is in the slot. Not built for winning outside. Rarely played on the perimeter at Kentucky
– Hit a few vertical shots from the slot. Not a speed demon, but he could have some value here
– Wanted to see more impact in the intermediate areas. He should feast there. Didn’t always win against man-to-man
– Legit worries about drops and fumbles. Had way too many of each at Kentucky
– Ability to make plays as a true running quarterback suggests possibility of impact as a running back
– Better than expected in the red zone. Crafty work wiggling free late and making plays near the boundary
– Such a balanced player. Never looks out of control. Shows up as a runner with the ball and as a receiver with the ball in the air
– Tough and elusive as a returner. Took two punt returns back for touchdowns. Experienced as a kick returner with 71 career attempts. Should be a Day 1 starting returner at the next level
– Joined Randall Cobb as the only two players in Kentucky history to produce 1,000 yards rushing, 1,000 yards receiving and 1,000 yards returning kickoffs.
How he fits
Bowden is another option as a slot weapon and a true gadget player for Matt LaFleur. His ability to win after the catch and create for himself in confined areas could make him a valuable target in the slot and on a variety of manufactured touches. All his run-after-catch skills should translate to the next level. He was also much better than expected in the scoring area and near the sideline, expanding his range of playmaking opportunities. Bowden will also be an immediate option for return duties, both on punts and kicks. There’s a decent chance he’ll develop into a starting slot receiver who returns kicks and earns other opportunities to get the ball in his hands, but a good chunk of development is required before he’s anything close to a polished receiver.
NFL comp
This one is easy. It’s Randall Cobb. The versatility, the school, the position, the size, the likely future NFL role. Bowden is a Cobb impersonator.
Where Packers could get him
In a deep receiver class, Bowden could easily fall to Day 3. He’s a work in progress and a little bit of a projection after spending most of 2019 at quarterback. The guess here is that a team will gamble on his playmaking abilities in the fourth or fifth round.
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
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson
OT Andrew Thomas
S Grant Delpit
TE Cole Kmet
OT Tristan Wirfs
QB Jordan Love
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
DB Jeremy Chinn
RB/WR Antonio Gibson
DL Jordan Elliott
DB K’Von Wallace
WR Bryan Edwards
DL Ross Blacklock
LB Logan Wilson
DL Justin Madubuike
RB Cam Akers
LB Malik Harrison
RB Darrynton Evans