The Packers are going to draft at least one wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Obviously I can’t guarantee that, but considering there are zero wideouts under contract after the 2021-2022 season, I feel fairly confident in that prediction.
For the most part I tried to stick with the WR-mold that fits Matt Lafleur’s offense the best, with a caveat that first-round talents (Rashod Bateman, Kadarius Toney and Rondale Moore) are off the board.
Given those stipulations, here are my top five realistic draft options for the Packers at wideout.
Dyami Brown – Second Round
Brown is 6’1 with 4.46 speed and refined rote running. He isn’t the tallest and he isn’t the faster. But he certainly isn’t the shortest or the slowest either. I think he falls just enough for the Packers to have an opportunity on him at the end of the second round. Brown was extremely productive in his final two years at UNC, finishing with over 1,000 yards both year, 20-plus touchdowns and a 20-plus average yard per catch. The 21-year-old could provide an immediate impact on Green Bay’s offense.
Elijah Moore – Second Round
Moore isn’t the typical Packers wideout. The 21-year-old is undersized at 5’10, but he is a speedstar who ran a 4.32 at his pro day. The ex-Rebel could definitely fill the motion role that Tyler Ervin and Tavon Austin have filled the last two years. He also has experience returning punt and kicks in college which has consistency been an issue for the Packers. Drafting Moore in the second round would be a little uncharacteristic of Green Bay but could pay dividends immediately.
Nico Collins – Third Round
Collins is 6’4 with 4.42 speed. He screams WR1. In 2019, with current NFL WR Donovan Peoples-Jones on the team, Collins led the team in receiving touchdowns and yards per catch (min. 3 catches) and finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards. The 22-year-old opted out of the 2020 season, which may cause him to fall to the Packers in the third round. Drafting Collins would be an absolute treat for Packers WR Coach Jason Vrable — and Aaron Rodgers (or Jordan Love). The Packers currently have zero WRs under contract past the 2021-2022 season, so Collins will a huge opportunity to step into after a developmental year.
Josh Imatorbhebhe – Fifth Round
Imatorbhebhe is 6’2 with a 47-inch vertical. The red-shirt senior has the body to translate into a red zone threat for years to come. However, it will take time to tap into his potential. With below average speed and route running, Imatorbhebhe is a development piece at best.
Trevon Grimes – Fifth Round
Grimes is similar to Imatorbhebhe. Great physical traits that give scouts and development teams a reason to take a day-three flier with big hopes for the future. I can only envision good things happening when Grimes and/or Imatorbhebhe spend a couple years behind Davante Adams in Lafleur’s offense.
I will be shocked if the Packers don’t select one of these five players. Their talent is undeniable, and their fit is apparent.
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Kirien is a big fan of the Packers, Beer, and Battlestar Galactica. You can follow him on twitter at @KirienSprecher.
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4 responses to “Five WRs the Packers could target in draft”
My ideal draft would include two Wars, each in a different mold. First would be smaller and more twitchy like that of D’Wayne Eskridge, Jaelon Darden or Dyami Brown. The 2nd would be the larger, more WR1 potential like that of Nico Collins, Jonathan Adams or Tammorion Terry (sp?)
I’d love a shot a Marshall, but I think CB is too big of a need to pass up in the first, so unless Surtain, Farley, Horn, and Newsome are all gone, I think WR is back to Day 2.
Dyami Brown has great film.. definitely a dynamic field stretcher in UNC’s offense. Moore looks great too. i had to weigh in that Brown had a terrific QB throwing to him. due to opportunity cost, i am hoping the Pack wait until later for their WR needs.. another double or triple dip later in the draft.
the last 3 guys on the list above look great.. also, late breakout/Day 3 guys like Cornell Powell, Jacob Harris (UCF) or smaller school guys like UAB’s Austin Watkins (Mr. reliable hands) and Arkansas St. receiver Jonathan Adams (another Adams!). Multiple Day 3 WRs please.
Dyami Brown has great film.. definitely a dynamic field stretcher in UNC’s offense. Moore looks great too. i had to weigh in that Brown had a terrific QB throwing to him. due to opportunity cost, i am hoping the Pack wait until later for their WR needs.. another double or triple dip later in the draft.
the last 3 guys on the list above look great.. also, late breakout/Day 3 guys like Cornell Powell, Jacob Harris (UCF) or smaller school guys like UAB’s Austin Watkins (Mr. reliable hands) and Arkansas St. receiver Jonathan Adams (another Adams!). Multiple Day 3 WRs please.