Will the Packers Select a Wide Receiver in the First Round of the Draft?

The Green Bay Packers are looking to return to the Super Bowl for the first time since they won the Lombardi Trophy in 2011. The franchise looked primed to get to the big game last year, as they won 13 games in the regular season and earned a playoff bye. They were led to that record by legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who secured a win for the league MVP honors for the fourth time.

However, the Packers fell short after they suffered a loss in the divisional round against the San Francisco 49ers. The defeat resulted in widespread speculation regarding Rodgers’ future as well as several other players on the roster. It was not long until Rodgers returned on a market-setting extension alongside an All-Pro teammate De’Vondre Campbell. But that wasn’t the biggest news of the Packers’ offseason. Not long after Rodgers committed his future to Green Bay, star wide receiver Devante Adams was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Not everything is as cut and dry as it seems for the Packers as the draft approaches. Green Bay has many holes left to fill before they compete in the NFC this season.

Are The Packers Selecting a Wide Receiver in First Round of the Draft?

Since the Adams trade, rumors have been circulating about what the Packers might do in the first round of the draft. It has been two decades since Green Bay selected a wide receiver in the first round, Javon Walker.

Davante Adams is a star and it will be extremely difficult to replace him. The situation looks dubious for the Packers, especially after they lost Marquez Valdes- Scantling in free agency to Kansas City. This leaves a huge void in their receiving corps, and Rodgers will want at least one new target for the 2022 season.

Adams was a second-round pick by the team, No. 53, during the NFL Draft in 2014. He has played 116 games with 109 starts in 8 from 2014 to 2021 with the Packers. Last year, he made a single-season team record of 123 receptions and 1,553 receiving yards, which made him the first player in Packers history with 100 catch seasons. He is the only player in league history to have more than 115 catches with over 1,350 receiving yards along with 11-plus receiving TDs in consecutive seasons lasting 2020-21.

Davante Adams will earn a whopping $141.25 million contract for over five years, for an average of $28.25 million. The trade will make Adams one of the highest-paid receivers in the league.

What’s Next for The Packers?

The good news is, the 2022 Draft is seen as one with a lot of talent at the wide receiver position. Green Bay will hope one of the top talents falls to them in the first round. As part of the Adams trade, they received an additional first round pick No. 22. They could also trade up in the first round if they really like the look of one wide receiver. Jameson Williams, Garret Wilson, Drake London, Chris Olave and Treylon Burks are seen as the top talents at the WR position in the upcoming draft.

Aside from a wide receiver, the Packers will need a right tackle this offseason since they released Billy Turner. Dennis Kelly is an unrestricted free agent when called upon, which makes this a tight position for the Packers to address through free agency, however, drafting procedures are important, nonetheless.

Additionally, the team saw another cap casualty this offseason in Za’Darius Smith. Although Smith was out for the most part last season due to a back injury, the Packers will need to replace him on roster.

Draft Bets:

NFL draft bets require a different approach than traditional in-season as the odds are quite volatile. One will need to analyze the team’s needs, draft the history, and the accuracy of media members instead of advanced metrics. Bettors will mostly find offers like a $1000 risk-free bet on who gets drafted or provide predictions as well. Be sure to stay up to date with sportsbooks and media to know where the Packers are leaning in the first round.