Green Bay Packers: Free Agent Wide Receiver Options

With the release of Jordy Nelson, the Green Bay Packers will likely look to replace most of his production from players currently on the roster, such as Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jimmy Graham, and Geronimo Allison. The Packers will also likely draft a Wide Receiver in the early-to-mid rounds in April, but they should also look to add a player in free agency.

Here are some reasonably priced options that are unsigned as of the publishing of this article:

Tavon Austin – Austin has never lived up to his status as a top 10 draft pick, but he is electric with the ball in his hands. He’d give Green Bay a top notch punt returner and a toy for Rodgers to get the ball to in space. He would also be the rare WR for the Packers who can take the top off the defense.

John Brown – Brown also brings a ton of speed to the equation. When he’s on the field, he’s been an electric deep threat in Arizona averaging 14.5 yards per catch in his career. However, health has always been a concern with his slight frame, and he missed 6 games last year.

Terrelle Pryor – Pryor had a big year in 2016 for Cleveland that led him to sign a huge contract with Washington. He struggled through last year, but could be in for a rebound campaign playing with an elite QB.

Mike Wallace – Wallace has had over 1,700 yards receiving in the last two seasons with Baltimore. While he is reaching the age where WRs are expected to decline (he’s also 32 like Jordy), the Packers could get excellent production out of him at a significantly smaller cap number than Nelson.

Jordan Matthews – After three really good years in Philly, Matthews struggled in Buffalo in 2017. However, I believe a lot of that had to do with the very conservative offensive gameplan of the Bills. Matthews is only 26, but has plenty of NFL production and has the body size and run after the catch skills to be productive in the Packers offense.

While Jordy Nelson was an all-time great Packer and a pillar of the community, it was time to move on. No one can replace Jordy, but the Packers can go a long ways towards improving the offense overall if they can sign a veteran Wide Receiver.