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Green Bay Packers 2015 predictions: WR Davante Adams

By Keegan Matheson

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The Green Bay Packers open training camp this coming Thursday, beginning the long march back to playoff football. Their offense will be returning the same core group, and many have highlighted wide receiver Davante Adams as a breakout candidate following a strong summer.

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Prior the the Green Bay Packers putting on pads, we’ve been forecasting the production of their offensive starters in the coming season. Beginning with Aaron Rodgers, who I projected to hit the 40-touchdown pass plateau, we also examined whether Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson could repeat their monstrous 2014 numbers.

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Adams, entering his second year with the Packers, is next on the docket. The offseason buzz has set the bar too high with Adams, and I’m not expecting Green Bay to produce three receivers with 1,000 yards, as the Arizona Cardinals accomplished in 2008 with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. I do, however, see Adams growing into a dynamic third option with the trust of Aaron Rodgers.

Targets & Receptions:  86 and 60

As a rookie, Adams hauled in 38 of 66 targets for 446 yards. His foremost area of growth should come in the percentage of targets he converts, as he and Rodgers were not on the same page for the early half of 2014. I’m a believer that Adams has better hands than he’s shown us yet, and 2015 will help to draw further parallels between he and James Jones.

His usage will be extremely important to track, as Adams may be asked to take many snaps out wide with Randall Cobb moving across formations. Playing behind Cobb and Nelson will only help the talented route-runner, as well, with coverage being drawn away from him on the majority of plays. A 60-reception season would see Adams catching 3.75 balls per game, which I see as being very doable.

Receiving Yards: 785

When considering Adams’ production in the coming season, I find it valuable to look back on Jarrett Boykin‘s production in 2013. Boykin produced 681 yards that season, starting eight of the 16 games alongside Nelson and Jones with the injury to Randall Cobb. I’ll take Adams over Boykin ten days a week, and if the ball is distributed similarly in 2015, he should eclipse Boykin’s total from that season.

As he showed against the Dallas Cowboys in last year’s playoffs, Adams can make things happen after the catch. Rodgers hit Adams with seven passes that day for 117 yards and a touchdown, showing the entire league the potential that Green Bay’s number three enters the coming season with.

Touchdowns: 7

I’m a believer in Adams’ touchdown potential, and much of this comes down to the route-running abilities I mentioned earlier. With Nelson and Cobb typically occupying the opponent’s top two cornerbacks, few teams will roll out a third lockdown option. Adams may not hit the home run like his two running mates, but from 30 yards and in, he can create separation both before and after the catch.

The play of Richard Rodgers will again factor into this, as his ability to soften the heart of the field will trickle down to the rest of the receiving corps. He does not need to make a Pro Bowl, just prove to be a competent and steady option. With Cobb as a moving piece from the inside, Green Bay will allow themselves to be creative with red zone routes, and I expect Adams to shine in that area.

Next: If..and..but..for the 2015 Green Bay Packers

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