The Packers are lastly poised to present Jordan Love the keys to their offense in 2023. However are they ready to present the younger quarterback sufficient assist out extensive? Coach Matt LaFleur publicly contemplated as a lot, telling reporters on the NFL’s annual homeowners conferences that it “can be good” so as to add “some veteran management” at extensive receiver.

Inexperienced Bay is not with out a few promising prospects in Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, who mixed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns as 2022 rookies. However solely three different receivers are underneath contract for 2023, and solely certainly one of them has performed greater than a single NFL sport. Veterans Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, two of Aaron Rodgers’ favorites, have since departed by way of free company, leaving the Packers in want of move catching assist but once more.

So the place, precisely, can Inexperienced Bay flip for help? Here is a take a look at a few of their high remaining choices:

Veteran commerce targets

That is essentially the most engaging of the chances, primarily as a result of the veteran free agent market (extra on that under) is right down to leftovers. A blockbuster splash for somebody just like the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, who’s coming into a contract 12 months after a 1,000-yard breakout, can be the most effective long-term wager. However let’s assume San Francisco stays resistant on that entrance. The Packers may additionally protect extra draft capital by focusing on one of many following:

• DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals): He is neither younger (30) nor low-cost (due $29.9M in 2023), and it is potential Arizona will outright lower him to save cash, however when wholesome, he is nonetheless a confirmed technician with contested-catch expertise. In different phrases, he’d make for an ideal complement to the explosive Watson, giving Love extra of a downfield security valve.
• Tyler Boyd (Bengals): As a title contender, Cincinnati will not simply budge on parting with Boyd, however with inevitable mega-deals coming for Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Packers may supply to take the veteran slot knowledgeable off their palms. He is a QB’s greatest good friend as a confirmed short- and mid-range possession goal.
• Allen Robinson (Rams): The A-Rob who as soon as threatened the NFC North because the Bears’ jump-ball specialist is seemingly lengthy gone, however Los Angeles would possibly give the Packers higher compensation to soak up his contract. As a rental, he may nonetheless have worth as a rotational red-zone piece.
• Corey Davis (Jets): Rodgers has complimented Davis’ all-around skillset, suggesting the 2 will keep collectively as soon as A-Rod formally relocates to New York. However the Jets have a number of causes to maneuver the previous Titans standout — an enormous, stable, if injury-prone No. 2 — after making over their very own WR corps. He may very well be packaged into the Rodgers deal.

Draft prospects

If the Packers cannot land a confirmed starter by way of commerce, their subsequent greatest wager can be utilizing certainly one of their high three picks (No. 15, No. 45, No. 78) on a receiver or tight finish, contemplating Robert Tonyan additionally left by way of free company. The 2023 draft class is broadly thought-about deep on the latter spot. Listed below are just a few potential targets for every spherical:

The primary-round prospects are clearly the splashiest of the bunch. It is potential Johnson and Mayer may very well be off the board by No. 15, although Kincaid, Flowers and Smith-Njigba may all make sense in the event that they stand pat or transfer again. Any of these Day One prospects can be anticipated to step in as a direct starter alongside Watson and Doubs.

Veteran free brokers

That is the almost definitely path to including expertise to the move catching room, albeit the least promising. The next unsigned free brokers may make sense as flyers, though ideally they’d be paired with a premium draft funding:

Word: We’re not together with Odell Beckham Jr. underneath the idea he’ll in the end comply with Rodgers to the Jets.

• Olamide Zaccheaus (Falcons): Simply 26, his numbers have improved in three straight seasons, and he logged a career-high 40 catches for 533 yards in 2022 regardless of shoddy QB play in Atlanta.
• Richie James (Giants): The previous 49ers prospect got here on sturdy down the stretch for the WR-challenged Giants, securing 81% of his targets to complete with 569 yards regardless of making simply 4 official begins.
• Jarvis Landry (Saints): Age and accidents are catching as much as him happening 31, however when wholesome, he is nonetheless a dependable short-yardage possession goal, ideally fitted to a No. 3/4 position nowadays.