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 Penn State receiver K.J. Hamler:
What he can do
– Play speed is undeniable. Elite quickness and easily maintains top speed
– Dynamic from the slot, with field-stretching speed and rare ability after the catch
– Can turn every touch into a punt return. Excellent vision and feel for manipulating angles and stressing defenders. Changes direction effortlessly and violently
– Lacks NFL size at 5-9 and 178 pounds. Probably too small for the Packers. Will be too small for a lot of teams. Can he hold up at the next level? Teams may have to limit touches
– Hands emerged as a big problem. Dropped way too many passes. Focus dips in and out. Doesn’t always attempt to catch it with arms extended. Catching the ball in traffic is not easy for him
– Could be an electric returner. Experienced returning punts and kicks. Early path to impact
– Speed makes him a vertical threat but still lacks consistent ability to track the ball down the field
– Small frame limits catch radius. Little room for accuracy issues when targeted
– Makes crazy quick cuts in and out of breaks and off the line of scrimmage to create space and separation from coverage
– Intriguing potential as a gadget player. Game-breaker in space. Could make a difference on quick screens and jet sweeps early on
– Low success rate but a willing blocker. Always looking to make a block when others have the football
How he fits
The Packers lack a dynamic player in the slot. Hamler, with his quickness, separation skills and electric ability after the catch, could fill the role as a complementary piece of the offense while also adding a spark in the return game. He’ll even have value as a gadget player in the right offense, and Matt LaFleur’s scheme often uses pre-snap motion and the threat of the jet sweep to set up plays. Hamler’s lack of ideal NFL size remains a big concern and will likely scare off the Packers, who clearly have a preference for big receivers and rarely deviate from their size thresholds. The fact that he didn’t test at the combine might also turn the Packers away. He’s a boom-bust prospect.
NFL comp
Mecole Hardman, the Chiefs’ second-round pick in 2019, instantly comes to mind. Both are small but electric receivers with gadget-like skill sets and return ability. It’s possible Hamler could develop into a DeSean Jackson-like weapon.
Where Packers could get him
Likely in the second round. This is a deep receiver class, and although NFL teams are always trying to get faster in the passing game, Hamler’s lack of size and issues catching the football should keep him available well into Day 2. Would the Packers disregard their thresholds if he’s still there at No. 62? Or would they trade up and get him if he fell deep into the third 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
WR Laviska Shenault
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