Green Bay Packers: Devin Funchess an unspectacular but smart signing
By Joe Kipp
The Green Bay Packers needed to add a veteran presence at receiver this offseason. Signing Devin Funchess was a smart, but boring move.
The Green Bay Packers continued to be bargain shoppers in free agency on Monday, reportedly signing free-agent receiver Devin Funchess, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Funchess adds a big-bodied target (6-4, 225 pounds) on the perimeter and will likely assume Geronimo Allison‘s former role. It’s safe to assume Allison’s time in Green Bay is probably over.
The Packers entered the offseason with huge question marks surrounding the receiver position, save Davante Adams, so the addition of Funchess makes sense from a functional standpoint.
Though the signing may seem unspectacular on paper, Funchess will step in immediately as the second-most accomplished receiver on the Packers roster.
The #Packers are expected to sign WR Devin Funchess, per sources. A big body on the perimeter for Aaron Rodgers.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 24, 2020
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The former second-round draft choice had his best season in 2017, recording 63 receptions for 840 yards and eight touchdowns. No other receiver other than Adams has recorded over 500 receiving yards in a single season on the Packers roster.
Sure, Funchess isn’t going to strike fear into opposing defensive backs, but that doesn’t mean he won’t make an impact on the Packers offense. Adams will still be the team’s No. 1 option, freeing up coverage for Funchess on the other side of the field. Funchess operates best in the red zone, where he’ll give Aaron Rodgers a big target on back-shoulder throws.
While we’re still waiting for his contract numbers to be revealed, it’s probably safe to assume the Packers signed Funchess to an incentive-laden prove-it deal. After spending his first four seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Funchess signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts last offseason. He suffered a broken collarbone in Week 1 and missed the rest of the 2019 season.
Funchess has excellent size for the position, but the Packers already have big, physical wideouts on the roster. That said, Green Bay had to add a veteran presence at the receiver position, which is exactly why they brought in Funchess. The signing may be unspectacular, but it was a necessary addition.
Next. 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Post-free agency 3-round mock. dark
The Packers now head into the 2020 NFL Draft with Adams, Funchess and Allen Lazard as the team’s top three wideouts. The team lacks a consistent deep threat capable of stretching the field, so it’s safe to assume they’ll use a high draft pick on a speedy receiver.