Packer Receivers in 2024

[Calebs Revenge]

No you're ok. You explained why you asked the question and that cleared it up. We all do that here because all we have are words, and words are rarely enough. And as you say you follow the Bears and that makes your question a lot easier to understand. Bottom line is that MLF drew up two great game plans for Willis. He wasn't asked to throw much, and when he did they were high-percentage plays. All good.

Thnks bubby!

 

[Heyjoe4]

Thnks bubby!

LOL. I appreciated the explanation for your question. Words can be very limiting, especially written words.

 

[OldSchool101]

I like that this was labeled “Receivers” and not “WRs”. Opens up a broad topic that I think has resurfaced as worthy at the midway point.

 

[OldSchool101]

Going a little off topic here.

Those are all good points OS. As good as the WRs are as a group (and arguably Reed is the best), they don't have a clear #1 like Adams, Nelson, Jennings.

@Heyjoe4 True that and no we don’t. Although Reed has become very similar to AJ Brown. I’d call him a lower end WR1 production wise

In other words someone who can stretch the field and must be accounted for when on the field.

@milani.
I was hoping Watson was that guy but not thus far.

What I like most about having someone on the field at WR, who can stretch the field, is that it pretty much ties up one of the safeties, and essentially a CB too.

@Voyageur.
Yeah he was supposed to be that guy imo. Hes not living up to a #33 overall selection in year 3 though

 

[OldSchool101]

I’d also add that losing Musgrave for basically the season didn’t help. He may never be Jimmy Graham, but in the Passing game he has a legit opportunity to stay over 500+ yards per season be just being on the field. I still think his ceiling is higher as a Receiving threat. He’s really a bigger “pseudo WR” at 6’6”. Good hands, above average Route runner, deceptive long strider in the open field. They are still claiming he could be back before postseason, but at what condition idk.
Luke’s size and athletic profile is intriguing. He’s too fast for most LB’s and too Big/Tall for most DB’s. By the grace of God Tucker really stepped his game up in the meantime.

Doubs doesn’t jump out at me as one that will ever be a true WR1 type. However, he’s absolutely got great high point, good understanding of routes and concepts, and sticky hands. Which apparently is hard to teach.

Watson is either overvalued or he’s a slow riser. Injuries have hampered him, but he’s still not some “force to be reckoned with” either. He does give us credibility as a vertical threat when on the field. If you ignore him all game, he’ll punish you out of thin air with a big play. He has fantastic speed both short area and long ball speed. I’d like to see him used more in medium short crossers where he can use his momentum and afterburners. He’s seemingly too often just jumping up trying to high point instead of using his best weapon. elite Speed

 

[milani]

@Heyjoe4 True that and no we don’t. Although Reed has become very similar to AJ Brown. I’d call him a lower end WR1 production wise

@milani.
I was hoping Watson was that guy but not thus far.

@Voyageur.
Yeah he was supposed to be that guy imo. Hes not living up to a #33 overall selection in year 3 though

Yes, Watson was gifted with speed but just does not take advantage of it. You wonder why Donald Driver had such a solid career in Green Bay. Not the fastest, not the tallest, not the strongest. But he worked as hard or harder than any Packer in his tenure. And even after retirement he Danced with the Stars.

 

[Voyageur]

Yes, Watson was gifted with speed but just does not take advantage of it. You wonder why Donald Driver had such a solid career in Green Bay. Not the fastest, not the tallest, not the strongest. But he worked as hard or harder than any Packer in his tenure. And even after retirement he Danced with the Stars.

Doubs is quite a bit like Donald was. He plays the game between his ears as much as physically. When you constantly work to improve your game, good results can happen. I remember early in Driver's career a lot of people thinking he was never going to be a top receiver. He just sneaked up on everyone and made it happen. Ergo... Doubs.

Watson does have some speed, but like you said, is not really that good at exploiting it. It might change, until then, they have a couple of other candidates as well, who can turn on the jets fairly well.

What I like most about our receiving corps is the diversity of skills, and ability to read defenses. It makes them unpredictable. Funny how that works out. Sometimes it's good when a receiver misses their route, because it opens the play up later.

 

[OldSchool101]

Doubs is quite a bit like Donald was. He plays the game between his ears as much as physically. When you constantly work to improve your game, good results can happen. I remember early in Driver's career a lot of people thinking he was never going to be a top receiver. He just sneaked up on everyone and made it happen. Ergo... Doubs.

Wow. I’m so glad you brought up Driver again. I went back to relook at his career numbers and what really stood out to me (and I would’ve never guessed it) is that Donald really didn’t get going until Year 4. Matter of fact, his Sophomore season (2000) ran a 42.9% catch rate. 21/49 with 1 TD. However he did a really good job at 14.8 yards per catch so he made those count. Also he didn’t let that deter him. He came back over the next two seasons (2001-02) 56/83 combined or 67.5% catch rate. Donald Driver took his 4th season… but never looked back. Driver blew it up with over 100 targets and 1,062 yards and 9 TD’s with an amazing 15.2 per catch statline. He finished with over 10,000+ yards and respectable 60.2% completion rate and a very solid 13.6 per catch.

This reminds me a lot of Wicks because it’s similar to where Dontayvion is hovering also in his Sophomore season. Wicks was eerily similar 67.2% in his Rookie season on good sample or 39/58. Stands to reason that Wicks’ current slump of 37.2% 16/43 thus far can be corrected. I’d love to see them really get Wicks more focused on catching and securing the ball. It’s very obvious he’s one of the best at separation, which is harder to teach imo.

If we were to suddenly get that type Driver production from Wicks I would imagine this Offense would explode.

 

[Voyageur]

Wow. I’m so glad you brought up Driver again. I went back to relook at his career numbers and what really stood out to me (and I would’ve never guessed it) is that Donald really didn’t get going until Year 4. Matter of fact, his Sophomore season (2000) ran a 42.9% catch rate. 21/49 with 1 TD. However he did a really good job at 14.8 yards per catch so he made those count. Also he didn’t let that deter him. He came back over the next two seasons (2001-02) 56/83 combined or 67.5% catch rate. Donald Driver took his 4th season… but never looked back. Driver blew it up with over 100 targets and 1,062 yards and 9 TD’s with an amazing 15.2 per catch statline. He finished with over 10,000+ yards and respectable 60.2% completion rate and a very solid 13.6 per catch.

This reminds me a lot of Wicks because it’s similar to where Dontayvion is hovering also in his Sophomore season. Wicks was eerily similar 67.2% in his Rookie season on good sample or 39/58. Stands to reason that Wicks’ current slump of 37.2% 16/43 thus far can be corrected. I’d love to see them really get Wicks more focused on catching and securing the ball. It’s very obvious he’s one of the best at separation, which is harder to teach imo.

I saw it in Driver from the start. He reminded me of Fred Biletnikoff. He played the game between his ears, and that's what made him great. I've always been able to see special things in players who will make it. It's just "there," and not easy to describe. It's like when I saw James Jones, coming into camp, I knew he was going to put up numbers, because while running routes, his hip rotation was perfection. He did not have even the slightest hesitation in getting back to speed. When the hips came around, he was flat gone, and you weren't going to get that step back. One thing that both Driver and Doubs do, that I wish all receivers did. Their game included/includes getting your body between the defender and the ball in a way that they can't get to it, or make the INT. It's such a subtle thing out there, but you can see some players do it, others don't. Wicks will hopefully learn to do that. Until he does, I don't like the idea of throwing to him in the middle of the field too much. Watson, on the other hand, does it some of the time, and not at other times. I think it's the mental thing about getting injured that stops him at times. Reed probably has the best reach catch on the team, for a long ball. He gets those arms out and still maintains body control, and has good hands for grabbing the ball. His only problem is that he doesn't always go flat out after passing defenders. He isn't loafing, but he also isn't getting the separation he could, because I think he questions if anyone can throw it deep enough for his speed. It will develop more as time goes on.

To be honest, I have never been this up on a group of WRs being on the roster at one time in the past. This group is solid, and I don't think adding and subtracting from it is a good idea, except down at the lowest level on the team. You want that continuity, and knowledge and experience each brings to the table.

There's so much potential on this roster that it's sick. Now, if they can find some help on both sides of the LOS in the trenches, it's going to be several years of having the potential of getting another Lombardi or two.

 

[milani]

Wow. I’m so glad you brought up Driver again. I went back to relook at his career numbers and what really stood out to me (and I would’ve never guessed it) is that Donald really didn’t get going until Year 4. Matter of fact, his Sophomore season (2000) ran a 42.9% catch rate. 21/49 with 1 TD. However he did a really good job at 14.8 yards per catch so he made those count. Also he didn’t let that deter him. He came back over the next two seasons (2001-02) 56/83 combined or 67.5% catch rate. Donald Driver took his 4th season… but never looked back. Driver blew it up with over 100 targets and 1,062 yards and 9 TD’s with an amazing 15.2 per catch statline. He finished with over 10,000+ yards and respectable 60.2% completion rate and a very solid 13.6 per catch.

This reminds me a lot of Wicks because it’s similar to where Dontayvion is hovering also in his Sophomore season. Wicks was eerily similar 67.2% in his Rookie season on good sample or 39/58. Stands to reason that Wicks’ current slump of 37.2% 16/43 thus far can be corrected. I’d love to see them really get Wicks more focused on catching and securing the ball. It’s very obvious he’s one of the best at separation, which is harder to teach imo.

If we were to suddenly get that type Driver production from Wicks I would imagine this Offense would explode.

When Driver came on the scene Antonio Freeman was the premier receiver. Favre had a lot to do with Driver's acceleration because he gave him opportunity. Driver got better because of the incentive. When signing his second contract with the Packers Driver broke into tears because he had the money to provide for his mother and grandmother who raised him. And he delivered the rest of his career.