Speaking at the NFL owners meetings yesterday, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst suggested no splashy WR move was on the horizon for the team. “You never really replace a guy like Davante Adams,” he began “It’s gonna be more cumulative and how the whole team steps up and plays.”
Packer fans on every corner of the internet have been fantasizing about moves to bring in DK Metcalf, or Julio Jones. But comments like this do not suggest that is coming.
Looking at the current roster, the options to step up are slim. Allen Lazard is an obvious candidate right off the bat. Aaron Rodgers has spoken highly of Lazard in the past which is a sign of confidence out of 12. Last season Lazard hauled in 40 catches for 513 yards and 8 TDs. He’s a big body receiver that Packer fans should expect to take a step forward in this offense next season.
Beyond Lazard, the options get thin very quickly. Amari Rodgers was a name that sparked some buzz on draft day after his third-round selection in 2021. After the buzz came disappointment however, as the Clemson product failed to deliver in his small sample sizes. His rookie season was ultimately remembered for his drops in the second half against Detroit in the season’s final week.
A name that everyone is hoping returns to form is “Big Bob” Robert Tonyan. A breakout 2020 season with 11 TD catches had expectations high heading into last season. But a slow start and a week 8 ACL tear, resulted in a disappointing season. The 6’5” tight end signed a one year “prove it” type deal to return to the green and gold this offseason and hopes to bounce back to form. Reports have recently stated Tonyan is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery, which is exciting news for Packers fans.
There is a severe lack of depth in the pass-catching department. Yesterday suggests a seeming hesitation to make a move in the upcoming weeks. Signs here point to the Packers looking to address this in the draft next month. With two picks in each of the first two rounds and five in the first 100 picks, they have the ammunition to do so.
“I don’t think we’ve ever shied away from taking multiple players at one position in a draft,” Gutekunst said. “So certainly if the right players are there, we wouldn’t shy away from that.”
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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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