Green Bay Packers: 5 Breakout players set to shine in 2019

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 15: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 15: Robert Tonyan #85 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a second quarter touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 15, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling #83 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling #83 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrate after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR

The Packers haven’t had a true deep threat at wide receiver since Jordy Nelson was in his prime — a prime which abruptly ended due to a torn ACL in the 2015 preseason — but Marquez Valdes-Scantling appears to be next in line to take on that role. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers had no problem talking up Valdes-Scantling earlier in the offseason, noting his clear rise in confidence and ability to stretch the field.

Valdes-Scantling put together a nice rookie campaign in 2018, racking up 38 receptions for 581 yards and two touchdowns. His whopping average of 15.3 yards per reception ranked 16th-best in the NFL in 2018. Overall, Valdes-Scantling produced 10 catches of at least 15 yards, including two games with over 100 yards.

It’s unclear at this point who the Packers’ No. 2 receiver will be entering 2019. Veteran Geronimo Allison is a likely candidate due to his experience and rapport with Rodgers, but Valdes-Scantling has the higher upside. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Allison and Vales-Scantling be 2A and 2B as options at receiving threats; of course, Davante Adams is No. 1.

Valdes-Scantling may not have a ton of receptions in 2019, but his receiving yardage and yards per reception should be extremely healthy. He may not top 1,000 yards, but his presence as a field stretcher will be a valuable asset for Rodgers and the Packers offense.