The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2020 campaign having just made a trip to the NFC Championship Game after notably winning the always competitive NFC North division as well. However, despite finding immense success under first-year NFL head coach Matt LaFleur last season, Green Bay has since encountered quite the odd offseason while failing to address some key areas of need with the month of July now almost upon us.
Everyone and their mother were expecting the Packers to select a wide receiver in at least one of the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft. Especially considering how stellar this year's crop of collegiate talent was. Green Bay not only passed on such an opportunity, but also went in perhaps the strangest direction possible.
With future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers still in place with the tandem of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams at the running back position, the Packers ultimately elected to choose a quarterback — former Utah State standout Jordan Love — and a running back — former Boston College standout A.J. Dillon — with the team's first and second-round selections, respectively.
Rodgers is none too pleased with the team's decision to look toward the future rather than finding some immediate assistance for a squad that was just on the cusp of representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. The Packers still have time to add to its roster before it's too late. Of course, the Packers still employ perennial Pro Bowler Davante Adams, who remains the team's top pass catcher, though there isn't much behind the prolific pass catcher on the Green Bay depth chart.
The Packers replaced current Detroit Lions wide out Geronimo Allison with former Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis wide out Devin Funchess, who is fresh off a significant injury that cost him the majority of last season. The Packers will also be forced to lean on Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the position.
As Adams continues to gear up for what will surely be yet another impressive season, the Packers are really taking a gamble upon relying on Funchess, Lazard and Valdes-Scantling. Although each player in this trio has shown glimpses of productivity during their respective NFL careers, no one featured in this group has established themselves as a proven wide receiver atop the highest level — something that the 36-year-old Rodgers can't be too happy about as he tries to chase Super Bowl ring No. 2.
Because the offseason is already in full swing, the Packers are not left with too many options at the wide receiver position at the moment. As it stands today, the best available unrestricted free agent wide outs include Paul Richardson, Taylor Gabriel, Demaryius Thomas and potentially Josh Gordon — who will once again attempt to be reinstated by the NFL following a league-mandated suspension.
Even though the majority of these players — outside of Gordon who obviously comes with the most baggage — are not at the level of a true No. 2 wide receiver, Richardson, Gabriel and Thomas have all had success as professional pass catchers.
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