The Green Bay Packers currently hold the 30th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft set on April 23 and speculation has begun on what area of need they’ll address with the pick.
Green Bay, like the other 31 teams, has holes to be addressed through the draft as they draft their next wave of players looking to make an impact in the NFL. One key area of concern is at the wide receiver position — where Green Bay has failed to pair a player of Davante Adams’ caliber with.
The signing of Devin Funchess offers a low-reward, high-risk type of signing but not that one immediately fixes their talent pool at the position.
It’s a fair argument on whether they should take a defensive stud — assuming one they’re high on is still there at number 30 — instead, given how exposed their defense was against the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, twice. However, a good offense is never a bad thing.
A Loaded Draft Class for the Green Bay Packers to Add a Receiver
The stronger argument for taking a wide receiver with the 30th pick this year is given how talented the draft class is. Almost every projected receiver from several mock drafts can be taken anywhere from a Top-10 pick to pick 32. Not every team is going to take a receiver with their first-round pick, but knowing how potentially talented the crop is, on paper, it seems no team could do wrong by selecting one.
Big names such as CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Justin Jefferson, and Denzel Mims could all be targets for the Packers next month. And that’s just a small sample size of at least 30 players with their varying pros and cons.
We won’t learn until the day of how the board is going to shake out. Will teams trade up or trade down to steal a player? Whatever the case may be, the Packers should still find a receiver worth drafting even if some of the bigger prospects are long gone.
It’s not entirely possible that general manager Brian Gutekunst trades up to make sure they take a receiver they’ve got their eyes set on — like three seasons ago when they traded up to take cornerback Jaire Alexander, and that seemed to work out well for them.
Gutekunst has hit major home runs with his draft picks since taking over full time, wherever decision they go with, Gutekunst’s picks have mostly worked in Green Bay, thus far.
What the Green Bay Packers Need
The success in Adams is majorly attributed due to two things: 1. His crisp route running and 2. his connection with Aaron Rodgers. Earning the trust of your quarterback often takes time to develop.
Think years past to favorite targets such as Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings. Both receivers in their prime knew how to read Rodgers’ mind from a simple look alone. They were both connections that had tremendous success and valued from being on the same team for most of their careers.
The other concern for Adams and Rodgers was trying to fill that number two role with just whoever was available and healthy. In 2019, it was Allen Lazard and before that, it was Randall Cobb. Without looking up team stats, could you name who produced outside of Adams in recent years?
The answer is vague because that guy has been a revolving door.
With the likes of so many talented receivers on this year’s board, it almost screams instant impact. Or at the very least a growing trust forming. You’re looking at college superstars who all left their mark at the collegiate level and have a desire for more at the NFL level.
Hit or Miss
With Geronimo Allison leaving to the Detroit Lions, that signals that they were already looking ahead to filling out a position they sorely need help in. Lazard can be that number two guy. Perhaps, Funchess can be that number two guy. Marquez Valdes-Scantling shows flashes at times but often struggles to haul in catches. Equanimeous St. Brown gave us a glimpse of what he can do but never played a snap in 2019 due to injury.
The question mark at this group of receivers looms large moving forward knowing that if you can’t at least stop the opposition, then hopefully, you can keep up with them in terms of points.
Looking back at both blowouts by San Francisco, you can give up 30+ points but you cannot score less than 20 in hopes of winning a game at home or on the road.
And this is a story that has become the norm in Green Bay in the postseason more times than not. Hitting the jackpot in the draft could be a major stepping point towards a second Super Bowl appearance for Rodgers before his career comes to a close.
Both sides of the ball needed to be addressed next month and it all rides with who the Packers select with the 30th overall pick in the 2020 draft.
