As is the case almost every season, a competition at wide receiver looms as the Green Bay Packers get to set to start training camp in 2020. Most years, the competition is overhyped, and marginally talented pass-catchers who get elevated in importance after impressing during the summer eventually disappear. The competition has heightened importance this summer, as the Packers did little to strengthen the position group and are banking on significant internal development from young players to elevate a group that wasn’t collectively good enough in 2019.
Here’s a review of the Packers’ looming receiver competition:
Locks: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard
Not much needs to be said here. Adams is a three-time Pro Bowler and unquestionably one of the NFL’s top wide receivers. Lazard enjoyed a breakout season in 2019 and should be the favorite to be the No. 2. Building on success is really difficult in this league, but the analytics were kind to Lazard’s first big year. Together, these two could easily see 200 or more targets in 2020.
Near locks: Devin Funchess, Marquez Valdes-Scantling
The Packers aren’t necessarily locked into Funchess financially, but as long as he’s in shape and ready to go to start camp, it’s hard to see him getting beat out for a job. He’s big, physical and experienced. Valdes-Scantling needs a bounce-back year but he’s one of the few receivers on the roster with the physical tools to be a legit deep threat. The Packers think he’s ready to take a big step in Year 3. We’ll see.
On the bubble: Jake Kumerow, Equanimeous St. Brown, Darrius Shepherd
Kumerow isn’t special in any way, but the quarterback loves him, the coach loves him, he does everything right every day and he blocks his ass off in the run game. It will be difficult for this team to keep him off the roster and just as difficult for a young receiver to displace him from the roster. St. Brown has an intriguing skill set, with a combination of size, speed and fluidity, but he didn’t play a single down last year after suffering a season-ending injury. He could still win a job in the slot. Shepherd had a great summer last year but wilted under the bright lights of the regular season, so he’ll need another big camp to make it. Spending most of the year on the practice squad likely helped him.
Wildcard: Reggie Begelton
Somehow, the former CFL star has become the anointed savior of the Packers receiver position. He is certainly intriguing. Begelton made a ton of big plays up north last year, flashing an ability to complete contested catches, win down the field and create after the catch. Will it all translate to the NFL? The 26-year-old is facing a big jump in competition level and will have a small window to prove he’s legit. The Lamar product went undrafted and didn’t have a big impact during his first two years in Canada. Could he surprise this summer? Sure. But he’s still one of the longshots of the group.
Rookie with a chance: Darrell Stewart
The Packers’ receiver group is a bunch of big, power forward types. Stewart isn’t small, but he’s more of the guard type, giving him a chance to impress in a different role. The undrafted free agent played a lot of snaps in the slot at Michigan State and flashed creative ways of getting open against man coverage with subtle route-running. Maybe he can squeeze his way onto the roster as a slot/returner type. He’ll need to catch the football a lot more consistently than he did his final year in college.
Long shot: Malik Taylor
Long shots at receiver have made the roster before. Just ask Darrius Shepherd. Taylor has good size and a full year of work in the Matt LaFleur offense, so he can’t be completely dismissed. All these guys are talented. Many just need the right opportunity at the right time. Maybe this summer is the intersection of the two for Taylor.
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