The Green Bay Packers emphasized the need for a “go-to” receiver during the offseason. That started at Super Bowl week when star running back Josh Jacobs headed to radio row and told anybody who would listen that the team needed a number one wideout. During the offseason, GM Brian Gutekunst addressed that need in the draft by selecting Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third. But in Week 1, the Packers continued to do what they did in recent seasons which was receiver by committee. That seems to be working for the team, at least for now.
Last season, the Packers spread the ball around. No Packers receiver had more than 55 catches while five had 35 receptions or more. Also, no receiver or tight end had more than 76 targets. Four players, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Tucker Kraft, had 70 or more targets. Two more had 40 or more targets with Josh Jacobs (43) and Christian Watson (53) reaching that number.
Dropped passes were an issue for the Packers throughout the season. The team finished near the bottom of the NFL in drops and drop percentage. This was one of the reasons the team needed to add a more reliable option over the offseason.
In Week 1 against the Lions, however, the team stuck to the receiver by committee approach. Jordan Love threw only 22 passes. He completed 16 of them for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Love completed passes to 10 different receivers. Reed led all receivers with five targets. Doubs and Kraft had three each. Golden and Wicks had a pair of targets while five others had one each.
The decision to spread the ball around worked well against the Lions who are expected to have a good defense again this season. Love had plenty of time to throw thanks to the strong play of the offensive line, and he was able to find whoever the open target was and get the ball to him. The receivers also did a better job of holding onto the football in this game than they did a year ago.
The Lions found themselves unable to key on any one receiver during the game. At various times, different receivers were getting open, and Love did a good job of recognizing the coverages and finding the open man.
There is still a good chance this arrangement of receiver by committee changes over the course of the season. One way it could change would be the emergence of Golden. The rookie was involved in the offense early in the game but didn’t see a target in the second half.
As Golden learns the offense and adjusts to life in the NFL, his role is likely to increase. He also has an opportunity to develop more chemistry with Love who missed significant time in training camp and the preseason due to an injured thumb on his non-throwing hand.
The Packers may also give Kraft more targets this season. Against the Lions, he was asked to help block Aidan Hutchinson on many plays which reduced his opportunities to get downfield and run pass patterns. He will not have that role as often when the Packers aren’t facing elite pass rushers.
Over the first few games, we will see whether the receivers continue to be more consistent catching the ball and reduce the number of drops. Players that continue to drop too many passes will likely see their number of targets and their playing time reduced.
When Christian Watson returns to the lineup, he will also factor into the offense although how quickly he can return to a full-time role remains to be seen.
Overall, the idea that the Packers won’t have one go-to receiver like Davante Adams was, remains likely for the short-term. If one of the receivers steps up and establishes himself as “the man”, Matt LaFleur will be fine with that. If not, keeping defenses guessing with a crew of talented but not elite wideouts can also work well for this offense as long as the receivers play more consistently.
This will be an interesting development to watch throughout the season.