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When anyone talks about the Green Bay Packers, one thing is usually brought up more than others: Aaron Rodgers – particularly, how he has had very little help in his career. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is here to help.
Everyone knows Rodgers has Davante Adams, but after that there isn't much to talk about. Marquez Valdes-Scantling probably wants to change that. While the 2018 fifth-round draft pick isn't a household name, he took steps to changing that in his rookie year.
What is there to know about the young receiver? Here are four things.
Second on the team in 25-yard receptions
Having receivers who can create big plays is a must for any team. The Green Bay Packers obviously have one in Davante Adams. However, he isn't the only wideout who could get them down the field in a hurry.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had seven plays of 25-plus yards last season. That was second on the team to Adams (11 such plays). What's more impressive: That was actually in the top 20 (17th) in the entire NFC.
When you think about it, his big-play ability shouldn't come as much of a surprise. An athletic player, Valdes-Scantling is helped even further by his giant frame (6-4, 206 pounds). That helps him to get great positioning and reach over defenders, making him the perfect player to throw the ball to on deep routes.
Second on team in most receiving categories
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was second on the Green Bay Packers in most receiving stats for a wide receiver. However, there are two reasons that first stat got its own category.
First of all, he was semi-close to the top of the league. Second, he was actually second on the team, no matter the position. For the rest of the categories, he was beaten out by (or tied with) tight end Jimmy Graham.
Valdes-Scantling had 38 receptions for 581 yards, both second among receivers for Green Bay. He also had two touchdowns, tied for second on the entire team no matter the position.
Finally, his 73 targets were second-most among receivers. That shows Aaron Rodgers trusts him and is willing to give him a chance. Although only 38 receptions on those 73 targets seems bad, Valdes-Scantling has a few good excuses. First of all, he was a rookie — give him a learning curve and time to improve. Second, it was pretty common for him to go deeper on routes, where the success rate is lower.
No matter how you slice it, it's clear Valdes-Scantling was a big part of the Packers' offense in 2018 and should continue to be.
Five Years in College
There's a reason Marquez Valdes-Scantling seems a little older than most two-year players. The 24-year-old will indeed turn 25 midway through the 2019 NFL season (October 10). That's because he was technically in college for five years.
After two seasons with North Carolina State, Valdes-Scantling transferred to his home state of Florida, going to the University of South Florida in 2015. That meant he had to sit out that season. Therefore, his college career started in 2013 (with NC State) and ended in 2017 (with USF).
To be clear, this isn't a knock on Valdes-Scantling. A lot of players transfer or have a redshirt season. I am pointing out that you're not crazy if you feel he's older than a lot of two-year players. He has a late birthday and transferred in college, giving him an extra year.
Late bloomer
This is great news for the Green Bay Packers. It's not uncommon for players to have their best seasons in college at the end of their runs. However, Valdes-Scantling took such a major step forward that it has to be noted.
The first three seasons of Valdes-Scantling's career were pretty similar. In fact, he had 22 receptions in each of his two years with North Carolina State and his first year with the University of South Florida.
The numbers went like this: freshman year, 22 receptions for 281 yards and no touchdowns; sophomore year, 22 receptions for 257 yards and one touchdown. Junior year, 22 receptions for 415 yards and five touchdowns (that “big play” ability started to come alive).
Then in his senior year, Valdes-Scantling racked up 53 receptions for 879 yards and seven touchdowns. As you can tell, those numbers were almost as good as his first three years combined.
If you're going off that track record, expect improvements from him in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers clearly believe in Marquez Valdes-Scantling – and why not? He's definitely given them reason to.
