Nevada WR Romeo Doubs is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 NFL draft for Packers Wire.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
In the 2018 NFL Draft the Green Bay Packers drafted Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a speed merchant out of USF in the fifth round with the 174th overall pick.
The former day three pick recently signed a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Packers already needed to reload at the wide receiver position, but with the loss of Valdes-Scantling the Packers will have to find a new vertical threat in the upcoming draft.
A player that Brian Gutekunst could target on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft to replace Valdes-Scantling is Romeo Doubs. The Nevada wide receiver checks in at No. 34 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
As a freshman in 2018, Doubs made an immediate impact. The first time he touched the ball in a collegiate game he returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. That season he recorded 43 receptions for 562 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As a return man he averaged 17.8 yards per punt return.
In 2019, Doubs recorded 44 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns. As a punt returner he averaged 10.8 yards per return. The following season the Nevada wide receiver hauled in 58 receptions for 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns.
This past season Doubs set career highs in receptions (80), yards (1,109) and touchdowns (11). He also averaged 14.2 yards per punt return.
Doubs’ trump card is his ability to win vertically. He has an instant accelerator that will help open things underneath for teammates. The Nevada wide receiver is able to find a second gear and has excellent top speed to take the top off a defense. According to Pro Football Focus, Doubs led the FBS with 505 deep receiving yards in 2020.
Doubs is more than just a vertical threat. He’s slippery and has worked hard to become a three-level threat. He did a good job of improving his route tempo this past season.
His route tree wasn’t diverse at Nevada and his route running will need polishing. He does a good job of finding the soft spots in zone coverage and makes himself available to the quarterback.
“He also knows routes from both sides of the equation, since he was a quarterback in high school,” Duke Ritenhouse, the Nevada beat writer for the Reno Gazette-Journal, said. “He understands the value of good route-running and how the quarterback needs to be able to depend on guys being where they should be.”
He has strong, reliable hands. Doubs is comfortable making catches in traffic. He had outstanding body control and does an excellent job of tracking deep balls. With his frame (6-2) he has a large catch radius. There are instances where he double catches the ball. According to PFF he only had four drops this past season.
“In four years of watching him, I can really only remember one bad drop, and that came in a game where 75 percent of the Nevada roster played horribly,” Rittenhouse said. “He has good body control, too. He was always getting mugged on his routes, but he still made some great catches by using his balance and dexterity to get his hands on the ball.”
With his quickness, Doubs can put stress on defenses after the catch. He has good vision and lateral agility to create after the catch. If he makes the first guy miss he could be gone.
“Romeo is dangerous after the catch,” Ritenhouse said. “He’s not only fast, but he does a good job of using the whole field and looking around for a block. The first guy needs to make the tackle.”
Doubs finished his career with 37 punt returns and averaged 12.5 yards per return and one touchdown. His ability as a punt return could pave the way for him to make an immediate impact as a rookie. He has the ability to flip field possession, something the Packers have been missing for quite some time.
“I’d say he certainly gives whoever drafts him at least the option of trying him as a returner, but it’s a tough job,” Ritenhouse said. “Still, teams kicked away from him for a reason (he returned fewer than 40 punts for his career), and they were usually wise to do so.”
His run blocking is something that could keep him off Green Bay’s board. He doesn’t show much of an interest in bringing it on a consistent basis. There are times where he looks like he’s taking a stroll in the park.
“I’d rate Romeo as above average,” Ritenhouse said. “I don’t remember him really leveling anybody, but he’s a team player who always hustles, so at least he was in the right spot.”
Fit with the Packers
Doubs checks the boxes with his frame and speed. Doubs also brings special teams value as a punt returner. As a day three pick, Doubs would be a home run selection for the Packers.
“I’d draft him for his speed, work ethic, good attitude, and high ceiling,” Ritenhouse said. “Working with NFL coaches should only make him better.”
With his ability to win vertically and reliable hands, Doubs could provide the Packers with the dynamic deep threat they were lacking this past season with Valdes-Scantling on the sideline due to injury.
The Packers desperately need an infusion of talent at the wide receiver position and Doubs could carve out a role early as a big-play threat and as a dynamic return man.
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