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Green Bay Packers: Slot receiver a big priority this offseason

By Joe Kipp

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Adam Humphries #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Wide receiver Adam Humphries #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /
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Finding a new slot receiver should be a large priority for the Green Bay Packers this offseason. Here are some possible names to watch for.

The Green Bay Packers are in the market for a reliable slot receiver. But with so many players to choose from, who should they bring in? The three options for general manager Brian Gutekunst this offseason are the following: re-sign Randall Cobb, draft a rookie or sign a veteran.

At one time the Packers had an extremely reliable presence out of the slot with Cobb, who once recorded 91 receptions for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. Since then, he’s failed to eclipse more than 829 yards in a season, along with struggling to stay on the field this past season.

Coming off the worst year of his career, it seems unlikely the Packers would elect to bring Cobb back, especially for the presumed price tag. With an abundance of talent at the position in both free agency and the NFL Draft, it seems most reasonable to assume Green Bay would address their need for a slot receiver through one of those two avenues.

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Notable free agent slot receivers

Adam Humphries, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cole Beasley, Dallas Cowboys
Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers
Golden Tate, Philadelphia Eagles
Ryan Grant, Indianapolis Colts
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles

Of the names listed above, Humphries and Crowder present the most value based on projected contract and age. According to Spotrac, Humphries is worth a market value of $42 million across four years, while Crowder is worth $33 million over four years. Both are just 25 years old. Cobb is valued at $16 million over two years, but will enter his ninth season in 2019 at 29 years old.

Humphries had his best season in 2018, hauling in 76 catches for 816 yards and five touchdowns. Over the last three seasons he has never had less than 55 catches or 622 yards. Crowder, on the other hand, finished with a career-worst 29 catches for 388 yards and two touchdowns in 2018 (only played nine games). However, his best season compares favorably to Humphries’ best, when he recorded 67 catches for 847 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016.

Then there’s this. For what it’s worth, Cole Beasley replied to a tweet from former Packers’ great Donald Driver, after Driver had prompted him about the possibility of playing in Green Bay:

https://twitter.com/Bease11/status/1087908991517233153

Notable incoming rookies

Hunter Renfrow, Clemson
Andy Isabella, UMass
Terry Godwin, Georgia
Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
Greg Dortch, Wake Forest
Alex Wesley, Northern Colorado
Mecole Hardman, Georgia
John Ursua, Hawaii

Of the names listed above, Renfrow, Isabella, and Godwin fit the traditional mold of slot receiver. All three players played four seasons at their respective college. Brown presents the biggest playmaking ability with his deep speed and explosiveness. His nickname is ‘Hollywood’ for a reason.

Renfrow has big game experience, playing in the past three College Football Playoffs. Isabella made a name for himself in 2018 by racking up 102 receptions for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns. Godwin played in a national championship game himself, and was also named the MVP in the 2019 East-West Shrine game. Hardman and Dortch bring excellent playmaking ability as kick returners, something the Packers have lacked over the past few seasons.

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If the Packers don’t elect to re-sign Cobb, sign a veteran, or draft a rookie, perhaps they look into continue molding Equanimeous St. Brown out of the slot. As a rookie in 2018, St. Brown showed excellent promise as a route runner and had an enormous catch radius. He finished the season with 21 catches for 328 yards and no scores. The only question is: do the Packers trust him to get the job don

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