The Green Bay Packers are having basically an open competition during training camp when it comes to the pecking order for their pass catchers. Second-year wide receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are expected to lead the way, but there are only so many targets that those two will command.
Even when you add in what running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will see, there are hundreds of targets in the passing game up for grabs. With Jordan Love taking over as the starting quarterback, the Packers will likely lean on the running game a little more, especially in the early going, but they will still need to throw the ball.
Someone is going to have to step up behind Watson and Doubs and one player to keep an eye on is wide receiver Jayden Reed. A second-round pick out of Michigan State, the Packers felt strongly enough about Reed that they made a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to acquire the 50th overall pick and use it on him.
Eric Moody of ESPN believes that Reed is in line for some potential major production given the amount of vacated targets and air yards that the Packers have. In 2022, the Packers lost wide receivers Davnate Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. This year it was wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb and tight end Robert Tonyan who moved on, opening up opportunities for players to take advantage of.
While many people are overlooking what the Packers’ offense can bring to the table, they are certainly a team that will appeal to Fantasy Football managers. That is who Moody is talking to when saying Reed has a chance to explode as a rookie.
“Christian Watson scored seven receiving touchdowns last season, all coming during a five-week stretch from mid-November to early December, and accumulated 611 total receiving yards, which was fifth-best among rookies. Watson currently is the WR19 in our live drafts, but there’s another Packers wideout you should keep an eye on, as well. Green Bay was in need of a playmaker who could excel in open spaces and drafted an excellent one in Reed in the second round. The receiver room is wide open behind Watson, and Reed is projected for nearly as many targets as second-year wideout Romeo Doubs. As a slot receiver, Reed’s agility and adaptability should make him a reliable option on crucial downs for quarterback Jordan Love. Keep in mind that the Packers have had some good luck with second-round receivers, including Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams. Green Bay has a favorable schedule, and I’d rather target Reed than Doubs as a receiver to stash near the end of fantasy drafts.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Reed is expected to push Doubs for the No. 2 spot behind Watson. That goes against everything we have heard this offseason, as Doubs has been lauded as a standout performer for the Packers. But, early projections have him and Reed producing pretty similar numbers in the 2023 season.
That is something worth keeping an eye on throughout training camp whether you are a Packers fan or looking for the next breakout as a Fantasy Football manager. From the sounds of it, the only sure thing in the passing offense is that Watson will be atop the pecking order. After that, targets and reps will be up for grabs and Reed is someone capable of taking advantage.