Many Packers fans were disappointed the they didn’t get a receiver in the 1st round yesterday.
It was a pretty wise move, though. Forget how much they improved their defense, there were 6 wide receivers drafted in the first 18 picks (plus two teams that traded 1st round picks for veteran receivers).
That’s nonsense.
The position is heavily overvalued and over-drafted.
With so many teams taking wide receivers in the 1st round, the probability that the next tier of talented receivers drops to the Packers in the 2nd round goes up.
Let’s look at the teams that are slated to pick before the Packers selection at 53:
33. Buccaneers – appear set with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Scotty Miller
34. Vikings – appear set with Jefferson and Thielen (could look for a long term Thielen replacement)
35. Titans – drafted Treylon Burks yesterday
36. Giants – have young receivers in Toney, Golladay, and Stills, but may look to upgrade or replace Toney
37. Texans – have Brandin Cooks, but need a complement
38. Jets – drafted Garrett Wilson yesterday
39. Bears – probably want a receiver to help their young QB
40. Seahawks – have Metcalf and Lockett, but may be looking for another weapon
41. Seahawks – see above, they probably wouldn’t take two receivers
42. Colts – could probably use a receiver
43. Falcons – drafted Drake London yesterday
44. Browns – just signed Amari Cooper
45. Ravens – traded away Hollywood Brown yesterday (may go receiver)
46. Lions – drafted Jameson Williams yesterday
47. Commanders – drafted Jahan Dotson yesterday
48. Bears – see above, probably won’t take two receivers here
49. Saints – drafted Chris Olave yesterday
50. Chiefs – signed MVS and JuJu, but may still be looking to add a receiver
51. Eagles – traded for AJ Brown yesterday
52. Steelers – have Claypool and some young receivers, but may still be looking to add
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So, of the 20 picks before the Packers, two teams (Bears and Seahawks) have two picks, so if we assume they don’t double up, that’s two picks that won’t be receivers. Then, there are seven teams that acquired a receiver in the 1st round yesterday.
That only leaves 11 teams that would realistically (sanely) be considering a receiver here.
Of those, fewer than half really need a wide receiver. It’s a bit of a stretch to assume all of them would take a receiver. Yesterday’s action shows it might be possible, though.
Still, with a board that includes George Pickens, Christian Watson, Jalen Tolbert, John Metchie, Skyy Moore, and Alec Pierce, the Packers look primed to grab a talented receiver even if they don’t move up.
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Check out our PFTW 2022 Mock Draft Archive to see how other scenarios played out!
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