Who are the best wide receiver targets for the Packers?
The Green Bay Packers have a very mysterious outlook at quarterback and wide receiver this offseason. When the 2022 NFL draft kicks off, they may not have Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams (or both). I have a feeling that if Tae is gone, Rodgers won’t be very thrilled to finish his career in Wisconsin, unless they have a serious plan to add weaponry and replace Adams in free agency.
If the Packers don’t have Tae (or Rodgers), I still expect LaFleur to sign a quality WR in free agency. He may not attract a WR like Allen Robinson or JuJu Smith-Schuster, but he will make sure that he has some explosion available for A-Rod or a potentially new signal-caller. So, who could they sign in 2022? Well, here are a few free agent WR options for the reigning NFC North champions.
- Jamison Crowder
The New York Jets have Denzel Mims, Corey Davis, and Elijah Moore. It’s safe to say they will let the veteran Jamison Crowder, who was a hot trade candidate in 2021, exit in free agency. According to Heavy., the Jets are projected to let him leave, as well.
I’d love to see the underrated slot WR Crowder sign with the Packers. He’s ousted a 699+ yard and 6+ touchdown season in two of the past three seasons. He can be a productive mismatch and safety net for Rodgers or a new QB especially. The Packers should be aggressive to sign a WR to please Rodgers and he would be a nice second-tier WR that the Packers could reel in early in free agency.
- Tre’Quan Smith
Tre’Quan Smith is one of the most underrated free-agent wideouts in my opinion. When Smith wasn’t being underthrown for wide-open touchdowns from Taysom Hill or playing with the 32nd ranked passing offense at any point in 2021, he was playing like a modest WR in his career. The 26-year-old hauled in 448 yards and 4 touchdowns in 14 games in 2020, but his numbers could skyrocket with Rodgers or just a starting role in Green Bay in 2022.
Smith would be a nice WR to pick up after Crowder or potentially Tae. I expect Smith to look for a one-year prove it deal in a great offense and Green Bay would be a slam dunk destination for him.
- Cordarralle Patterson
I have a feeling that A-Rod would find the acquisition of Cordarralle Patterson really cool. Drew Brees was given Darren Sproles late in his career and now Rodgers could get Patterson.
It would be only fitting if Patterson went to his third NFC North team in his career. Let’s face it — the Packers have to get creative to please Rodgers. Patterson, who’s made the All-Pro team as a return specialist, can be effective at RB/WR/KR. Patterson is the top RB on the market, but I trust LaFleur to make the pennies toward signing him count by getting him involved with screens, deep passes, tosses, and special teams. If the Packers retained Tae, Rodgers, and brought in Patterson, Rodgers should be pleased and the Pack would look like Super Bowl favorites.
