On Sunday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Playoffs’ Wild Card round. Unfortunately, they will be without wide receiver Christian Watson, who tore his ACL in the team’s Week 18 loss to the Chicago Bears. In 15 games this season, Watson had 29 receptions for 620 yards and two touchdowns.
While his numbers do not scream “number one wide receiver,” many fans undervalue Watson’s contributions to the offense. Not only does his speed extend the field and create possibilities for other pass catchers, but his downfield blocking is critical in both the run and pass game. As Packers fans are well aware, the rehabilitation period after a torn ACL is difficult to anticipate. Elgton Jenkins healed in less than a year, however David Bakhtiari never quite recovered.
The Green Bay Packers should address the wide receiver position. This offseason With Watson out for the foreseeable future, the Packers will need their current wide outs to step up if they want to make a deep run in the NFL Playoffs. Romeo Doubs had a great game (six receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown) against the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs last year and might do it again against the Eagles.
Jayden Reed had a huge game in Green Bay’s Week One loss to Philadelphia (171 all-purpose yards and two total touchdowns), but he has a 12.0% drop rate this season. Dontayvion Wicks, too, has struggled to corral the ball, with an 11.8% drop percentage. Watson, by the way, dropped only one pass all season. With their best deep threat likely absent for the start of the 2025 season and lots of salary cap room available, the Packers might consider signing any of the three upcoming free agent wide receivers on a short-term basis.
1. Davante Adams
In a recent interview with Kay Adams, former Packers All-Pro Davante Adams claimed that he would never rule out returning to Green Bay or any of the teams for whom he has previously played. While he is under contract with the New York Jets, he is anticipated to be released this summer. Adams’ market value is now estimated by Spotrac at two years and $27.16 million each year, or approximately $13.6 million per year. That is likely a price the Packers might pay, especially for a pass receiver who is familiar with their playbook and has 85 receptions for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
2. Keenan Allen
This year, the Packers got a close look at Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen. During Chicago’s poor season, he was vocally dissatisfied with his circumstances and may seek a new home in free agency. Spotrac estimates his market value at two years and just under $32 million, or $16 million each year. He caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven scores, but he will be 33 years old next season. If the Packers want a veteran to provide leadership in that position, Allen could be a solid fit; however, his age may rule him out.
3. Amari Cooper
Still, he’s a solid wide receiver who shouldn’t deserve a high salary. Allen should not be ruled out as a possible successor. Cooper, like the other two wide receivers on this list, is in his 30s and significantly older than the rest of the Packers’ pass catchers. Nonetheless, he is an effective wide receiver who might offer the team with a deep threat that they will lack without Watson. Cooper played for the Buffalo Bills in 2024, totaling 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.
Spotrac has established his market value for two years and $28.4 million, or $14.2 million per season. Of course, it is always possible that the Packers will address the issue through the NFL Draft rather than free agency at all.
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