For years, the strength of the Packers’ offense was their depth at wide receiver.
In 2011, the Packers had an embarrassment of riches. Jordy Nelson and James Jones were backups. Jermichael Finley was their tight end. Randall Cobb was a little-known rookie with explosive nature.
Their starters were Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. Driver was the franchise’s all time leader in receiving yards.
Jennings had taken over the mantle of the team’s top receiver.
Since that time, age and neglect has left the Packers with less depth than they’ve ever had.
Last season the Packers were showing signs of age and decline at the position. Jordy Nelson had been the team’s best receiver since Jennings left for the Minnesota Vikings. He was released shortly after the announcement that Jimmy Graham had been signed.
Randall Cobb and Davante Adams are both still in town, but there is little behind them in terms of proven depth.
Geronimo Allison has made some plays, but he’s far from proven.
Trevor Davis has done little as a receiver despite his elite speed. Michael Clark is a prospect everyone loves, but he is incredibly raw.
That’s one reason the Packers were potentially looking to add receiver Jordan Matthews last week.
Matthews was in to visit, but left without a contract. He’s the type of receiver the Packers typically like. He has good size and ran an impressive 40-time at the NFL combine.
He’s capable of playing outside, but his best work has been in the slot. That fact has had some fans confused.
The Packers have a good slot receiver in Cobb. He’s been underutilized recently, but he’s still a good player.
Jimmy Graham and Davante Adams are both players that will be used in the slot as well even though Cobb is primarily the player that will play there.
Ty Montgomery is another option that could get some snaps in the slot as well.
What has happened in recent years is the Packers have gone almost strictly to “11” personnel. 3 wide receivers, one tight end, one running back.
The Packers used to be one of the best teams in the league in terms of diversifying their formations and personnel groups.
The exit of Joe Philbin, along with some neglect of the offense has led to the Packers going to essentially one personnel group.
Joe Philbin is back. The return of Philbin has led them to potentially return to different personnel groupings. One of Philbin’s favorites was the 2×2 formation with four wide receivers.
That would require another receiver to play the slot. Matthews would fit well as the second slot receiver along with being an upgrade to Allison.
Signing Matthews would also give them the option of drafting a wide receiver and not expecting him to contribute immediately.
The smart money is on the Packers picking at least one pass catcher in the first three rounds.
I remain convinced part of Ted Thompson’s new role is scouting receivers for draft day. When the Packers are on the clock in the second round Brian Gutekunst will turn and look at Thompson and simply say, “ok, which one?”
Thompson will give his answer, and Gutekunst will select that player. Thompson had his faults, but picking receivers was not one of them.
Asking a receiver to jump in and immediately contribute has been difficult, unless it’s a special talent like Odell Beckham Jr.
The only receiver to contribute significantly in his first two seasons in recent memory was Randall Cobb.
Nelson, Jones, Jennings were all brought along relatively slowly. Davante Adams took until his third year to truly blossom. Some of that was due to the fact he went through his growing pains in the national spotlight instead of on the practice field.
The Packers have clearly looked to add another pass catcher. They had an offer out to Allen Robinson. They’ve had Jordan Matthews in for a visit.
It’s likely the Packers will add at least one veteran pass catcher before April’s draft.
Not only is it likely, but it’s absolutely something they should do.
The more pass catching options, the better the offense can be.