TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston has the size and speed ratio that NFL teams covet.
This is the second in a nine-part series previewing the NFL Draft and examining the Green Bay Packers’ needs at each position.
Today: Wide receivers
Part 1: Quarterbacks
By now, virtually all of Packer Nation knows the statistic.
The Green Bay Packers have had 21 first round draft picks in the last 20 years. Not one of those selections has been a wide receiver.
In fact, the last wideout Green Bay took in the first round was Javon Walker in 2002.
That streak might finally come to an end when the draft begins on April 27.
After years of ignoring the position on the first day of the draft, the Packers might finally select a receiver in the first round.
In the last 13 months, Green Bay’s wide receiver room has been gutted. Davante Adams was traded. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Allen Lazard left in free agency. Sammy Watkins and Amari Rodgers were released. Randall Cobb is unlikely to return.
That leaves the Packers with a group consisting of 2022 rookies Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure, along with former practice squad player Jeff Cotton.
That’s not exactly a dream team for new quarterback Jordan Love to go to battle with this fall. Help is needed and figures to come early.
“We’re going to have to add to that room,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said at the recent NFL owners meetings.
The good news for Green Bay is Watson and Doubs had promising rookie seasons and they could blossom into a terrific 1-2 punch.
Due to injury and a lack of chemistry with Aaron Rodgers, Watson had just
just
Watson lit Dallas up for 107 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He had a pair of touchdown catches against Tennessee. And he torched Philadelphia for 110 receiving yards, including a 63-yard TD.
Watson was held without a TD the final four games of the season. But over the second half of the year, he showed the speed and athleticism that led to general manager Brian Gutekunst using the 34th overall pick in the 2022 draft on him.
“Once we hit that Dallas game … Christian really took off, and it was awesome to see,” LaFleur said. “Obviously you could see the explosive playmaker he is and what he’s capable of doing.
“I’m just excited to watch him grow and just his understanding of the offense. He’s a guy that can handle a lot.
“I haven’t been around too many rookie where you can move their position in-game and he wouldn’t even flinch. He’s exceptionally intelligent and bright, knows the plan inside and out. But I think there’s a level of detail that’s going to get better with him.”
As Watson battled injuries early in the year, Doubs got a chance to shine and took full advantage.
Doubs, a fourth round pick last April, had 26 catches for 234 yards (9.0) and two touchdowns in Green Bay’s first six games. Doubs missed more than a month, though, with a high ankle sprain and had just 16 catches for 191 yards (11.9) and one TD in the final 11 games.
“Rome, this guy I think I mentioned it when he first got here, his routine, how committed he is,” LaFleur said of Doubs. “I mean he’s one of the first guys in the building, one of the last to leave. I think he’s got a unique skill set.
“I want to temper this comparison here, but he’s got some Davante Adams-type movement skills in him. Now he’s got to learn when to use and how to harness that. But he’s got that twitch you’re looking for. I don’t think there’s a route he won’t be able to run. We just have to give him enough reps where he can continue his progression.”
There’s certainly hope inside the building that Watson and Doubs can form a dynamic duo the next few seasons.
Watson ran a 4.36 40-yard dash
dash
“Just thought they fit into our team really well and they worked,” Gutekunst said of Watson and Doubs. “And I think that’s the biggest thing with these young players is are they willing to take the corrections and criticism and then work and continue to work? And they did that.
“(Wide receivers) Coach (Jason) Vrable did a really nice job with the room because it was in transition, obviously, when you lose the guy (Adams) that leads that room. I think those guys did a really nice job. I’m excited to see how they grow this year.”
While the future is bright for both Watson and Doubs, the duo needs help. And considering as many as 15 wideouts could go in the first three rounds, Gutekunst should be able to find plenty of help.
If Gutekunst finally decides this is the year for Green Bay to take a first round wide receiver, TCU’s Quentin Johnston could be his man.
The 6-foot-3, 208-pound Johnston is widely regarded top rated wideout in the draft. Johnston’s size-speed (4.49) ratio are impressive, he has a 40-1/2 inch vertical jump, a terrific catch radius and averaged 18.3 yards per catch the last two seasons.
“Quentin Johnston just, I call him a pterodactyl,” ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. “He’s just tall. He’s long. He’s physical. But the thing that separates Quentin from all the other wide receivers in this class is the twitch that he has for his size.(And) after the catch, consistently, catches, make the first guy miss, and that’s what you’re looking for in a receiver.”
Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Boston College’s Zay Flowers, and USC’s Jordan Addison all have first round grades on many boards, as well.
Smith-Njigba (6-1, 196) could be a plug and play slot receiver. A hamstring injury limited him to just three games at OSU last year, but he’s remarkably tough in the middle of the field and averaged 192.0 receiving yards per game the final five contests of the 2021 season.
Flowers (5-9, 182) is another undersized player best suited for the slot. While Flowers has impressive speed (4.42) and terrific suddenness, his size makes it unlikely Green Bay would take him early.
Addison has terrific athleticism and is slippery after the catch. But at 5-foot-11, 173 pounds, many teams will worry if he can handle the weekly rigors of the NFL.
“Somewhere in that 10 to 15 range is where we’ll probably see the wide receivers start to come off the board,” McShay said. “And then later in round one, we’ll see more of the receivers come off the board.”
North Carolina slot receiver Josh Downs, Houston’s undersized Tank Dell, Tennessee slender Jalin Hyatt, SMU’s inconsistent Rashee Rice, Stanford’s talented but oft-injured Michael Wilson, Cincinnati’s speedy Tyler Scott and Michigan State’s extremely versatile Jayden Reed headline a group likely to go on Day 2 (Rounds 2 and 3).
“It looks like a pretty solid draft,” Gutekunst said. “I think the middle of it, I like the depth of the middle of the draft. But there’s going to be good players.
“Every time I would start talking to (former general manager) Ted (Thompson) about the strengths and weaknesses of the draft, he’d just look at me and say, ‘Brian, every time we pick there will be a good player there to take.’ I believe that.”
Now, it’s up to Gutekunst to find a wideout or two that can bolster his depleted wide receiver room.
WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS
1. Quentin Johnston, TCU
6-3, 208
The lowdown: Ideal combination of size, speed (4.49) and athleticism (40 ½-inch vertical). … Averaged a whopping 18.3 yards per catch the last two seasons. … Long strider who can separate quickly in the vertical game. … His catch radius and ability to rise make him a terrific downfield target. … Somewhat raw and unable to run the full route tree yet. … Occasional body catcher, which has resulted in bobbles and drops.
Johnston, on an underrated element of his game: “Being a taller receiver, my ability to get in and out of my breaks. Usually unless you’ve already been in the league, it takes taller receivers more time to get in and out of breaks. I feel like that’s something I’ve worked on a lot, playing like I’m 5-10.”
Projection: First round
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
6-1, 196
The lowdown: Had an impressive 95 catches for 1,606 yards in 2021. Averaged 192.0 receiving yards the last five games that season. … Played just three games in 2022 due to a hamstring injury. … Likely slot receiver, but lacks speed (4.48) and shake to run away from defenses. … Tough as nails across the middle and has excelled making contested catches. … Has been terrific high-pointing balls and winning 50-50 opportunities.
Smith-Njigba on his injury plagued 2022 season: “Very frustrating last year. Never really had an injury that set me out for games or even practices or stuff like that. But I feel like I’m going to come out a better person, better man, better player. So I’m definitely thankful. Just looking at it as a positive. And, I think it will be beneficial for me at the end of the day.”
Projection: First round
3. Jordan Addison, USC
5-11, 173
The lowdown: Began career at Pittsburgh, then transferred to USC to play for Lincoln Riley. … Has played inside and out, but lack of size could make him strictly a slot man at the next level. … Dynamic route runner who possesses great acceleration. … Quickness off the line of scrimmage make him a matchup nightmare for nickel corners. … Skipped the bench press at NFL Combine and strength must improve. … Lack of size makes him an ineffective option on deep balls.
Addison says: “I know I’m the best wide receiver in the draft. I can come to a new system, perform really well early. I can play any position on the field. I can run any route, intermediate, shallow or deep. And then if you take away all football stuff I’m just a great person.”
Projection: First round
4. Zay Flowers, Boston College
5-9, 182
The lowdown: Slightly built, slot receiver with the skill set to become a playmaker. … Caught 78 passes for 1,077 yards and 12 TDs (fifth-most in FBS) last year. … Has terrific suddenness, impressive speed (4.42) and ability to separate quickly. … Extremely slippery with the ball in his hands. … Lacks strength, which will be an issue on 50-50 balls. … Short arms (29 ¼) and has struggled with drops.
Flowers says: “I feel like anybody should feel like they’re the first receiver off the board. I don’t pay attention to any of it. I just try to get my work done and keep moving forward.”
Projection: First round
5. Josh Downs, North Carolina
5-9, 171
The lowdown: Remarkable production the last two seasons when he caught 195 passes for 2,400 yards and 19 receiving touchdowns. … Undersized slot man with sensational footwork and impressive route running. … Confidence is off the charts. … Ability to change direction has wowed scouts. … Will struggle with press corners if they’re able to jam him at the line. … Inconsequential as a blocker. … Has the skill set to become an elite punt returner.
Downs says: “I just tell (teams) that they’re getting the best receiver in the draft first and foremost, but they get a versatile player as well. I feel I can make plays on all levels of the field. I’m not a one trick pony. So I feel like they’re getting a very versatile receiver.”
Projection: Second round
BEST OF THE REST
6. Rashee Rice, SMU, 6-1, 204; 7. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee, 6-0, 176; 8. Tank Dell, Houston, 5-8, 165; 9. Tyler Scott, Cincinnati, 5-11, 185; 10. Michael Wilson, Stanford, 6-1, 216.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robreischel/2023/04/11/nfl-draft-could-the-green-bay-packers-finally-take-a-first-round-wide-receiver/