Dontayvion Wicks was a prime candidate for a sophomore breakout in 2024. Instead, he veered in another direction. Wicks got stuck in a rut for much of the season, and he had the league’s worst drop rate when it ended.
Entering his third year as a former fifth-round pick, in a wide receiver room where consistent targets will be hard to come by, it’s make-or-break time for Wicks.
Green Bay’s wide receiver room is arguably the most fascinating group on the roster. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are entering contract years, and the Packers drafted wideouts in the first and third rounds this April.
The assumption that one receiver would emerge as the leader of the pack never proved true, and Wicks was considered one of the prime candidates to be that receiver. Instead, he and fellow 2023 draftee Jayden Reed left a lot of meat on the bone. Wicks followed up his 39-reception rookie year with … 39 receptions in 2024, plus more drops to boot.
With so many mouths to feed in 2025, consistent targets and attention will be hard to come by for everyone involved in the passing game. If Wicks has another lackluster season hampered by drops, his days in Green Bay might be numbered.
Wicks is under contract through the 2026 season, where he and Reed will both be in the final year of their rookie deals. It’s identical to the situation Doubs and Watson are currently dealing with, which includes plenty of uncertainty.
However, those who have been watching Wicks throughout the offseason programs, such as passing-game coordinator Jason Vrable, are more than encouraged with what they’ve seen.
I think he’s matured so much. And you saw at the end of the year when the ball was coming his way there was a real confidence toward the end to get open and make the play. And just do one play at a time. If you watched our practices, the speed that he’s playing at, coach Getsy just came back here and was like, ‘Man, this guy is so fast. And he’s practicing so hard.’ And you can see it. He’s in Year 3, and he knows the system, he’s playing with confidence and the energy’s been awesome right now.
Wicks must back it up this year.
The Packers signaled in this draft that, while they still believe in their current crop of wide receivers, they aren’t going to wait around forever just hoping somebody on their roster becomes a true WR1.
Green Bay is facing a hard truth: It’s unrealistic to extend Doubs, Watson, Reed, and Wicks within the next two years, even if they all perform well. One or more will end up playing elsewhere. If Wicks falls more into the background of the passing game in 2025, his days in time in green and gold could be numbered.
He doesn’t necessarily have to establish himself as the undisputed No. 1 receiver. For Wicks to show his true value with the Packers, it starts with being a more reliable target. Along with PFF putting Wicks at the top of the league in drop rate, he also had trouble working through traffic. Wicks caught just four of 16 contested targets, which isn’t awful, but it’s also not particularly notable.
This year will be big for plenty of Packers receivers. Doubs and Watson are the two entering contract years, but Doubs has put plenty on tape already; if his next deal doesn’t come with the Packers, he’ll find suitors elsewhere for a lucrative contract.
Watson’s injuries have made his value difficult to quantify, and that poor performance will likely carry over into 2025. His top-end speed, coupled with his frame, will have plenty of teams willing to take a chance on him, if they get one.
Wicks hasn’t shown Doubs’ consistency, nor does he possess Watson’s speed or freakish athleticism. He’s going to need to show what he does bring to the table, and he’s going to need to do it sooner rather than later.
If Wicks can limit the drops, regain his confidence, and capitalize on his opportunities, Green Bay will view him in a different light entering 2026. But if he keeps dropping balls and fails to establish a clear identity on the team, he could quickly become an afterthought.
It’s a big season for a lot of players on this roster, but few are feeling the pressure quite like Wicks.