The Green Bay Packers might have a wide receiver problem on their hands, but at least it’s a different problem than the one they ended the 2024 season with.
Green Bay’s regression at receiver, and the clear lack of a true No. 1 target for quarterback Jordan Love by season’s end likely played a key role in the Packers selecting Matthew Golden and his blazing speed in the first round and then rounding back by adding Savion Williams at No. 87 overall in the third round.
Golden and Williams’ arrival could make a veteran such as Romeo Doubs expendable, but there might be a big winner already emerging from this bunch.
Is Jayden Reed Already the Green Bay Packers’ Best Receiver?
Green Bay Packers
Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) reaches for a pass in front of Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
While Jayden Reed led the Packers in receiving yards last season, as injuries besieged the receiving corps as a whole, his role in the offense may be expanding, regardless of how the group takes shape when the 2025 campaign kicks off.
Pro Football Focus NFL analyst Trevor Sikkema put together a list of each team’s top quarterback-pass catcher combo, with Jordan Love and Reed making the cut for the Packers.
“While the Packers have had a tumultuous time sorting out their receiver room,” Sikkema writes for PFF. “Over the past few seasons, Reed has been a constant. Love has posted a 126.5 passer rating when targeting Reed, and across 164 passing attempts to him over the past two seasons, he has not made a single turnover-worthy play. The duo averages almost 10 yards per passing attempt with a 9.5-yard average depth of target.”
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs after the catch against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) runs after the catch against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Love is very clearly comfortable with and confident in Reed’s big play abilities, especially after the 25-year-old pulled down 55 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Even if Golden proves he can become the Packers’ top receiver, it will likely take time to build chemistry with Love, which Reed already is building on in spades with his quarterback.
The Packers’ receiving corps could be in a state of transition when Week 1 arrives, but as things stand, Reed might stand the best chance to make the biggest impact.
Green Bay Packers, Jayden Reed
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (11) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
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