The Green Bay Packers are going to be without veteran pass-catcher Christian Watson for a large portion of the 2025 season as he continues to battle back from his ACL tear that he suffered late last season.
This means that head coach Matt LaFleur is going to need one of his other young wide receivers to step up.
Dontayvion Wicks Could Emerge
While the likes of Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and first-round rookie Matthew Golden could gain plenty of attention, third-year wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks could be the x-factor in that position group.
A former fifth-round pick out of Virginia, Wicks has made big plays and big catches for this team when called upon.
As a rookie, he caught 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns, along with a key touchdown in the Packers’ Wildcard Round upset win over the Dallas Cowboys on the road in 2023.
Last season, he played in all 17 games, matched his receptions total from the previous season, and increased his touchdowns total.
While his career numbers might not look as spectacular, keep in mind that he is playing in one of the deepest position groups in all of football.
Dontayvion Wicks adjusts to make the catch downfield 🙌
📺: #GBvsPHI on FOX
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— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
With Watson out for what could be at least half of the season, Wicks has to emerge as a key option for quarterback Jordan Love.
Keep in mind, too, that Wicks could be more motivated after there was some potential trade talk surrounding him this offseason.
Who Else Can Jordan Love Count On?
While Wicks will be a key member of this passing attack in 2025, Love should look to get others involved, as well.
Veteran Romeo Doubs has been a reliable player on offense over the last couple of seasons, as has all-purpose man Jayden Reed.
Those two players will surely be big pieces of the puzzle, as will starting tight ends Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave.
Keep in mind that the Packers also drafted Golden out of Texas and TCU gadget wide receiver Savion Williams in the third round of the NFL Draft.
These young wide receivers, along with veteran Mecole Hardman, should look to step up with Watson out.