Packers' future at wide receiver far from certain

Cheesehead

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2019
2,854
0
ejmjovcneerpe6pmcjzn


Valdes-Scantling battled some drops in 2020 but still set career highs with 690 yards and six TDs, becoming a major big-play threat with a league-best 20.9 yards per catch. His 50-yard TD in the NFC title game was his fifth score on the year from at least 45 yards out. He's entering the final season of his rookie contract.


Lazard appeared headed for a big year when he caught six passes for 146 yards and a TD in Week 3 at New Orleans, only to miss the next six games with a core muscle injury. The best blocker amongst the team's receivers, Lazard was still a relatively steady producer post-injury and then contributed more in the two playoff games (seven catches, 158 yards, including a 58-yard TD). He will be a restricted free agent after 2021.


Meanwhile, Funchess has just a one-year offer as he makes a push to get back into the game after taking the season off, and St. Brown, who had seven catches for 117 yards and a TD last year, is a 2018 draft pick like Valdes-Scantling heading into the final season of his rookie deal.


This isn't to say everyone but Adams is as good as gone after 2021, but it's extremely unlikely all will be back given salary-cap realities and the usual roster turnover.


Analysts say this year's draft class at receiver is just as deep as last year's, when the Packers passed on adding any, and it's even more impressive specifically amongst the smaller, shiftier slot receivers.


A significant draft investment as a future partner to Adams on the outside, as well as the addition of a slot type who could give Head Coach Matt LaFleur more options with motions and jet sweeps, could both be in the Packers' plans.


Tight end does not loom as high on the priority list for this draft, with the position as well-stocked as it's been for some time.


The ageless wonder Marcedes Lewis is back for a 16th NFL season, coming off a Packers-best for him three TD catches last year. The offense will continue to benefit from his blocking skills and the whole team from his leadership abilities. He can't play forever, but the Packers are glad to have him as long as he's able.
 
Top