After showing real promise in 2023, the Green Bay Packers’ receiving corps took a step back in 2024. The group finished with the third-most drops in the league and struggled to gain separation against man coverage, especially when Christian Watson wasn’t on the field.
Romeo Doubs and Watson are entering the final year of their rookie contracts. Meanwhile, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are under contract through 2026, but both finished the 2024 season ranked in the top three for drop rate among receivers with at least 40 targets. The long-term outlook for the position was concerning entering 2025, and Green Bay approached the offseason knowing they had to inject more competition and reliability into the group.
Brian Gutekunst’s first move to address the position was signing Mecole Hardman in free agency. Hardman had spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, splitting time between offensive snaps and kick return duties. Gutekunst followed that by drafting Matthew Golden in the first round and Savion Williams in the third.
Focusing on Hardman and looking at the makeup of Green Bay’s receiving corps, it’s tough to see a clear path for him to make the final roster, unless it’s as a return specialist.
Reed, Doubs, Wicks, Golden, and Williams should all make the final roster. Watson will likely begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. However, he’ll reclaim a roster spot once he’s cleared to return.
Green Bay hasn’t kept more than six receivers on the final roster in each of the past two seasons. Five spots are likely locked in, barring injury, so the final spot could come down to Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and Mecole Hardman.
Still, it’s fair to question why the Packers would keep Hardman over younger, cheaper options like Melton and Heath. Heath’s physicality and run-blocking ability were key factors in why he earned a roster spot in 2023, and they could be valuable assets moving forward.
I still find it funny how Heath, Kraft, and Reed just stood there waiting for the call, and then it turned into a full-blown party.
I was sure the Packers had just won the game right there. pic.twitter.com/V58KBhc2j0
— Felipe Reis Aceti (@Aceti_Felipe) July 17, 2024
Hardman should face lighter competition for the kick returner role this summer. The Packers still have All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon. However, after Green Bay’s 22-10 Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, he said he no longer wants to return kicks.
“I want to be CB1,” Nixon said on locker room cleanout day. “I’m kind of over it; I don’t really want to do it no more. There’s going to be talks with the coaching staff and stuff like that, but I think it’s over with for me.”
Green Bay signed Nate Hobbs in free agency and selected Micah Robinson in the seventh round of the draft. Still, I’d argue the team wasn’t as aggressive as many expected in addressing the cornerback room, especially with Jaire Alexander’s uncertain future. One possible explanation is that the Packers might be planning to move Keisean Nixon into a full-time cornerback role.
With Nixon possibly shifting into a full-time cornerback role, Hardman could have a real shot at claiming the return job. He was named second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2019 as a returner. That year, he racked up 990 yards on 40 kickoff return attempts. Overall, he has 1,385 career return yards on 60 kickoff returns. As a punt returner, he has 909 yards on 96 attempts.
Hardman’s experience should give him an edge over Melton and Heath in the battle for the sixth spot on the receiving corps. However, his easiest path to making the final roster is through special teams, where he has proven highly effective.