Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prototype: Wide receiver

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers have boasted a consistently strong offense under Ted Thompson‘s 10-year stint as general manager, and much of this can be attributed to his success in drafting wide receivers. Thompson has hit with players such as Greg Jennings, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams, all without stepping foot into the first round.

Leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft, I’ve been putting Ted Thompson’s draft classes under the microscope, position by position, to find his prototype. For example, I’ve suggested that Green Bay may target a 6’3″ quarterback with a high football I.Q., a fall-forward running back or an athletic project in the late rounds at tight end. The full sets of analysis can be found here:

Wide receiver — 14 selections — Average of 1.4 selected per Ted Thompson draft

2005: Terrence Murphy, Round 2 (58) – 6’1″, 202 pounds (4.39)
2005: Craig Bragg, Round 6 (195) – 6’1″, 190 pounds (4.46)
2006: Greg Jennings, Round 2 (52) – 5’11”, 195 pounds (4.44)
2006: Cory Rodgers, Round 4 (104) – 6’0″, 190 pounds (4.58)
2007: James Jones, Round 3 (78) – 6’1″, 208 pounds (4.54)
2007: David Clowney, Round 5 (157) – 6’1″, 190 pounds (4.36)
2008: Jordy Nelson, Round 2 (36) – 6’3″, 215 pounds (4.51)
2008: Brett Swain, Round 7 (217) – 6’1″, 200 pounds (4.61)
2011: Randall Cobb, Round 2 (64) – 5’10, 191 pounds (4.46)
2013: Charles Johnson, Round 7 (216) – 6’2″, 215 pounds (4.39)
2013: Kevin Dorsey, Round 7 (224) – 6’1″, 207 pounds (4.47)
2014: Davante Adams, Round 2 (53) – 6’1″, 212 pounds (4.56)
2014: Jared Abbrederis, Round 5 (176) – 6’1″, 190 pounds (4.50)
2014: Jeff Janis, Round 7 (236) – 6’3″, 219 pounds (4.42)

Dec 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) catches a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Prototype:

Let’s digest these numbers from above. Ted Thompson has shown little hesitation to go back to the well on wide receivers, selecting multiple prospects from the position in 6 of his 10 drafts. When grouped together as a whole, these 14 receivers produce an average prospect standing 6’1″, 207 pounds that runs a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. Eight of the 14 receivers drafted by Thompson have been 6’1″.

There is not one type of receiver, however, so we must become more specific. I believe that Thompson’s ideal offense features three receiver prototypes: A true number one on the outside, a strong, sure-handed possession receiver and a quick weapon that can be moved around the formation. He now has that in place again with Nelson, Cobb and Adams.

Thompson has taken three swings at receivers 6’2″ or taller. Nelson was a clear hit, and Charles Johnson has come into his own as a member of the Minnesota Vikings. Jeff Janis has tantalizing potential heading into 2015, but if Green Bay does target another receiver, they could afford to tackle another project such as this, given the talent already in place at the position.

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

Davante Adams entered 2014 as the perfect replacement, on paper, for the departed James Jones. Their measurables from above are very similar, and like Jones during his final two seasons with the Packers, Adams profiles as a sure-handed route-runner in the top-3 on their depth chart. His ability to line up on the outside across from Nelson allows for Randall Cobb to be moved between the backfield and slot where he exploits linebacker matchups.

Speaking of Cobb, his closest contemporary in Thompson’s history would be Greg Jennings. Although marginally bigger and more impressive in his testing at the Scouting Combine, Jennings represented the moveable chess piece that made the Packers offense click in his prime. I’ll suggest that Thompson prefers receivers with applicable short-area quickness, however, not just straight-line speed. Green Bay’s offense thrives on yards after the catch, which is why Cobb has far exceeded his limited expectations out of Kentucky.

Entering the upcoming NFL Draft, I could see Green Bay going one of two ways at the position. They could choose to target another lottery ticket pick on the outside like Jeff Janis, or they could look to secure a player more in line with Randall Cobb and Greg Jennings. If Abbrederis is unable to return from injury and excel in a slot role, the Packers would benefit from having a capable slot option to compliment Cobb and his great schematic versatility.

Impact on 2015 NFL Draft:

Below, we’ll take a look at some wide receivers who either fit Thompson’s physical prototype, of which there are surprisingly few in this class, or fall under one of the three categories from above that Green Bay features at wide receiver. Keep in mind that there is little need at the position, but Thompson’s history of drafting heavily at wide receiver signals that it is never fully off his radar.

Tyler Lockett: 5’10”, 182 pounds — The twitchy Kansas State star will go a bit high for Green Bay’s taste, but Lockett has the potential to be an electric slot option in the NFL while contributing in the return game. This is an intelligent prospect that will make his coach, and quarterback, two very happy people.

Rashad Greene: 5’11”, 182 pounds — Jameis Winston’s weapon from FSU that profiles as a quality chain-mover over the middle at the next level. Another intelligent prospect here with the elusiveness and long speed to create matchup problems across the middle.

Tre McBride: 6’0″, 210 pounds — McBride more closely fits Thompson’s phsyical prototype, and his ball skills really jump out. His plus yards-after-catch potential is something that Green Bay covets, and his hands shouldn’t be an issue. McBride could be an early target for an outside project in Green Bay.

Kenny Bell: 6’1″, 197 pounds — Bell cracked the 4.40-second mark at his Pro Day, and could represent another outside deep-threat project for the Packers. He’s a competitive receiver that can high-point the football, and much like Jeff Janis, could run home run routes while Nelson, Cobb and Adams do their work.

Titus Davis: 6’1″, 197 pounds — Another prospect that approaches Thompson’s desired specimen, with a 4.51-second time in the 40-yard dash. Scouts have questioned his pure speed, but Davis plays like a veteran and has a great understanding of route-running and coverages. The ceiling is not sky-high, but Davis should be a nice complimentary piece in the right scheme.

Devante Davis: 6’3″, 220 pounds — Davis could make for a nice flier out of UNLV, and he comes with some serious deep ball skills. He stayed glued to the ball in the air and can create after the catch, but needs to improve his abilities with shorter and intermediate routes.

The true value at wide receiver in this draft, of which there is plenty, rests in rounds one, two and three. This may be early for the Green Bay Packers, leaving them with few prototypical Ted Thompson receivers in the later rounds. This is fine, given the current talent already on the roster and the possible emergence of a Janis or Abbrederis. Thompson still loves his receivers, though, so I expect a late-round throw of the dart on an athletic specimen.

Next: Packers' NFL Draft prototype: Tight end

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Green Bay Packers