Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings. The list of wide receivers drafted by Green Bay in the second round of the NFL draft is impressive, to say the least. For some reason or another, it appears to be the sweet spot where this franchise finds the next game-changing weapon on offense. Could George Pickens out of Georgia be the next on this impressive list?
In a recent ESPN Mock Draft, Pickens was the pick for the Pack in the second round at 59 overall. Pickens is a big body receiver with great hands and solid route running.
A five-star recruit out of high school, the Hoover, Alabama native burst onto the scene his freshman year at Georgia in 2019. In 12 games he caught 49 passes for 727 yards and eight TDs. Playing in a shortened 2020 season and an offense in search of a quarterback, he still piled up 513 yards and six TDs in only eight games.
Looking towards the 2021 season, Pickens was regarded as a top receiver in college football. That was until he tore his ACL in a March practice, nearly derailing the hype train that was continuously gaining steam. Pickens worked hard to return late in the season for the Bulldogs, playing in five games. In that time he hauled in five receptions for 107 yards, showing his explosiveness at points.
Drafting a wide receiver just about a year removed from a torn ACL is a potentially risky move for sure. Though had Pickens stayed healthy and played a full season for this dominant Georgia team, he would be drafted before the Packers’ first-round pick. The risk is discounted into his price in the second round.
The wide receiver position could be one with the most question marks for the Packers heading into 2022. All-world WR1 Davante Adams’ return is up in the air at the moment. Arguably the best receiver in the league, he is looking at a massive payday.
Allen Lazard is a restricted free agent after signing a 1 year $675,000 contract before last season.
Marquez-Valdez Scantling is an unrestricted free agent, though Aaron Rodgers has been vocal about wanting him back. While it’s certainly possible some or all these faces could be returning next season, a young, talented, contract-controlled receiver in the second round would be a welcome addition.
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Zach has been a lifelong Packers fan since his earliest memories of Brett Favre\\\'s Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XXXII. A proud shareholder of the team, he bleeds Green and Gold despite being born and raised in New Jersey. You can follow him on twitter at @RapMasterZach.
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