Green Bay Packers Top 10 offseason storylines

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) gets away from Dallas Cowboys free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) to score a touchdown in the third quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

10.  The development of Davante Adams

Rookie WR Davante Adams had a season much like you’d expect from a second round pick.  There were flashes of great talent, but also times where he disappeared for entire chunks of games after losing the trust of Aaron Rodgers.

With uncertainty in the contract status of Randall Cobb, the likelihood that Jarrett Boykin may leave through free agency and the lack of impact from tight end, it is absolutely imperative that Adams takes a significant jump in 2015.  In his first season with the Packers, beginning as the #4 WR and eventually moving to #4, Adams caught 38 passes for 446 yards and 3 TD.

These aren’t fantastic numbers, but I find encouragement in putting them up against the rookie years of Nelson and Cobb.  While both joined the Packers at a time when the WR depth chart saw them receive fewer looks, their statistics were quite similar to Adams’ in year one.  Nelson caught 33 balls for 366 yards, while Cobb managed just 25 for 375.

Adams had his coming out party in the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys, with 7 catches on 11 targets for 117 yards and a highlight-reel TD.  Catching the football, he should remind many of ex-Packer James Jones, now with the Raiders.  Adams is much stronger than his frame suggests, and excels running after the catch.  His development will be key for the sustainability of this Packers offense in 2015.

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