Green Bay Packers: 5 Free agents to sign before training camp
By Joe Kipp
5. Taylor Gabriel, WR
The Packers’ depth at wide receiver is thin after Davante Adams. Devin Funchess was signed by Green Bay earlier during free agency, but he has since opted out of playing this coming season due to concerns over the coronavirus.
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Behind Funchess on the depth chart is Allen Lazard, who is a capable player but could be expected to take on a much larger role this coming season. Whether Lazard is up to that task remains to be seen. Behind Lazard are third-year receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown, both of whom haven’t had much of an impact during their short NFL careers. After them are former undrafted free agents.
Because of the lack of experience and impact, the Packers should consider signing former Chicago Bears receiver Taylor Gabriel. There’s some familiarity between Gabriel and Packers coach Matt LaFleur. The two spent time together in Atlanta during the 2016 season when LaFleur was quarterbacks coach for the Falcons.
Gabriel would bring speed to a Packers offense lacking explosiveness. Gabriel is a twitchy receiver who could fill a number of roles and would allow LaFleur to get more creative in play designs. He makes sense as a short-term signing to help Green Bay’s slow churning offense.