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3 reasons the Green Bay Packers will regret passing on receivers

By Michael Johnson

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 09: (L-R) General manager Brian Gutekunst, head coach Matt LaFleur and President and CEO Mark Murphy of the Green Bay Packers speak to the media during a press conference introducing Matt LaFleur as head coach at Lambeau Field on January 09, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 09: (L-R) General manager Brian Gutekunst, head coach Matt LaFleur and President and CEO Mark Murphy of the Green Bay Packers speak to the media during a press conference introducing Matt LaFleur as head coach at Lambeau Field on January 09, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Green Bay Packers needed a wide receiver and they had the ammunition to make it happen, they dropped the ball.

One thing the Green Bay Packers were sure to take on Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft was a weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Packers nation was revved up knowing their team had two first-round picks, one of which they netted when they traded away Davante Adams.

Since the dawn of the draft season, one of the draft’s clear strengths on Day 1 was the wide receiver group. The math was simple. The Packers needed a wideout, and they had the ammunition to make it happen.

Aaron Rodgers has been very open and adamant about the Green Bay Packers doing things his way. We’ve seen Brian Gutekunst and Rodger’s relationship improve after the All-pro quarterback expressed his disappointment with not being included in franchise decisions — that’s changed.

Did Rodgers want a wide receiver in round one? We may never know. What we know is GM Brian Gutekunst wasn’t going to reach.

"“I think having weapons for him to go to is important… we’ve got nine picks the next couple days and a whole summer before we get to that first game… I don’t think we can reach and make bad decisions just because they’ve got a WR by their name.”"

In some ways, the GM is right. They should not have reached for a wideout. Brian Gutekunst ended up having a great first round in terms of value, but he may end up regretting his decision.

The Green Bay Packers didn’t have to reach

As it stands, the Green Bay Packers don’t have a guy on the roster who has the potential to replace the production of Davante Adams. It’s not to say a rookie would, but recent history suggests otherwise.

Players like Jaylen Waddle and Ja’Marr Chase changed their team’s offense. Imagine getting Rodgers a player like that. Of course, it would have taken some forward-thinking.

The same type of thinking that netted Jordan Love, a player who’s taking up cap space and a roster spot.

So why not employ the same strategy to get a player who has a better chance of playing? Gutekunst can talk all he wants about not reaching, but they could have traded for a top guy.

They have to wait until the 53rd or 59th pick on Day 2, hoping that players like; David Bell, Sky Moore, Wan’Dale Robinson, or George Pickens fall in their laps. Maybe he’ll decide to get aggressive on Day 2.

Detroit Lions traded up for Jameson Williams

With two first-round picks, the Packers could have traded up and grabbed a player like Jameson Williams. The former Alabama wideout is hurt right now, but he’s expected to make a full recovery.

He’s an elite talent wideout who can play inside and out. He’s a deep threat with elite speed, but he also does a great job separating underneath. By all accounts, he’d be ready for the latter part of the season and the playoffs. He could have been a Packer.

Instead, they let the Lions jump up and grab him. The Packers don’t have a reason to fear Detroit, but why not be aggressive and get a guy with Pro Bowl potential at a position of need?

Sure, they can get someone on Day 2, but they had a chance at taking someone with a high ceiling and great floor.

AJ Brown could have been the guy

The draft wasn’t just about adding players on the draft board. Not every team needs or wants a rookie to fill a void. Les Snead (Rams) is the prime example of that. Other teams followed the trend of trading their first-round pick and more to fill a need, especially at wide receiver.

The Philadelphia Eagles understood that. Gang Green saw an opportunity to fill a need with a proven vet. So, they traded the No. 18 pick and a Day 2 pick to the Titans for A.J. Brown.

It’s hard to believe the Packers couldn’t have packaged their two first-round picks for A.J. Brown. He’s proven he could work as a boundary wideout and dominate with the ball in his hands. He understands how to use his body and hands to give his quarterback a great window.

Brown is a powerful, tenacious player and contributor in the run game. He’s an ideal fit for Matt LaFleur’s offense that could have used him in a variety of ways — the GM disagreed.

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