For the past few seasons, the Green Bay Packers have been unable to identify a true WR1. Davante Adams was always the guy for Aaron Rodgers, but Jordan Love has yet to experience that sort of connection.
Christian Watson was destined for the role, but injuries have held him back. Just when Jayden Reed gets hot, someone else comes into the picture. With the addition of Matthew Golden, anything is possible heading into the 2025 season.
Rob Demovsky Names Wide Receiver as Packers Key Position Battle to Watch
ESPN’s Packers reporter knows there’s only one position where the battle is truly up for debate. As it has been for the past three seasons, this Packers team doesn’t know who their top receiver is. Ultimately, it remains to be seen if that will work in their favor, or work against them.
Demovsky’s assessment of the team began with a blunt statement, “Maybe the Packers don’t have a true No. 1 receiver… but there’s still a pecking order to be determined.”
He immediately brought up Watson, hinting that is his No. 1 choice. Watson, when healthy, has been a difference maker for this team. He’s a true deep ball threat, finishing with an average of 21.4 yards per reception last season. His average has gone up in each of his three seasons.
“Green Bay’s 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden might have thrust himself near the top of that list right away,” Demovsky stated. Golden has been receiving tremendous reviews at training camp, so it would be no surprise to see him immediately slotted into that position.
That begs the question, is it too much pressure on the rookie? Demovsky replied, “Those who think it’s hard for a rookie receiver to make an immediate impact should watch how smoothly Golden has fit in so far in camp.”
Assessing the State of The Packers WR Room
Demovsky ended his statement with, “The likes of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and even tight end Tucker Kraft can also vie for quarterback Jordan Love’s attention.”
Reed led the team with 857 receiving yards last season. Shockingly, he came in second though when it came to touchdowns. That honor went to Tucker Kraft, who hauled in seven. Kraft finished slightly behind Reed with his 707 receiving yards.
It’s hard to picture a 6’5” 259-pound tight end leading this young, explosive Packers team in receiving yards. Regardless, it didn’t take long for the 24-year-old to become one of, if not Love’s favorite targets.
Romeo Doubs missing four games last season was a huge blow to this offense. Once he got everything sorted out, the team welcomed him with open arms. The 2022 4th round pick had a pair of touchdowns in his first game back on December 15.
Despite playing two fewer games than Watson, Doubs only had 19 less receiving yards. He averaged nine fewer yards per catch, but hauled in 17 more receptions.
One can safely say that Reed is WR1 simply because he led the team in receiving both years Love has started. While that remains true, the Packers inability to name a WR1 is what makes them so special. Love has praised every single receiver on this team, with Golden highly anticipated season debut nearing.
