Packer Wide Receivers

Without doubt, on of the Packer strengths has been at the wide receiver position!  The names with be changing next year!  Let's look at this years stats:

Player                       Rec           Yds            Yds/Rec            Long             TD's
Randall Cobb           80             954              11.9                   39                  8
James Jones              64            784               12.3                   49                 14
Jermichael Finley     61            667               10.9                   40                  2
Jordy Nelson            49            745               15.2                   73                 7
Greg Jennings          36            366               10.2                   45                 4

All other receivers has less than 10 receptions - Crabtree - 8, Driver - 8, Williams - 7.

Driver is retiring and although he really had no chance to play this year, his career was amazing!  He seems to be an even better person that he is a football player!  THANK YOU Donald for all the great memories!!!!

OK, looks like we will have - Nelson, Cobb, & Jones.  That is a good start!  Finley, Crabtree, Williams,  Taylor, Bostock, & Quarless back from injury!  A lot of people, but is it enough talent?  Let's look at Free Agents.

Free Agents - Top Receivers

Greg Jennings (GB) - In the final year of the 4-year, $27 million deal he signed in 2009, Jennings will look to nearly double that on his next contract after seeing Vincent Jackson go 5 for $55 million. With consistency and humility, Jennings would be on a great asset for a rhythm- based offense that emphasizes precise route- running where Jennings has flourished as a top 5 receiver over the past few seasons. With other key extensions on the horizon and the emergence of Randall Cobb and James Jones in Green Bay, rumors suggest that Jennings will not be in green and gold next year.

Mike Wallace (PIT) - After a noisy offseason of threats and 9-digit contract talks, Mike Wallace backed down and returned to the field just in time for the regular season. Though his pathetic display of drops and inconsistency has dropped his value this offseason, he should have the opportunity to test the market. Fighting the cap and Antonio Brown's contract, the Steelers aren't likely to bring the franchise tag into play making the premier deep threat one of the big prizes in free agency.

Dwayne Bowe (KC) - Prior coaching and front office changes in Kansas City, it was almost a lock that Bowe had played his last down as a Chief. Now with a sliver of hope, the new regime can make him a pitch on why the next five years may be better than his last five. In the end though, Bowe's production as a number one receiver despite a quarterbacking crew that will looked to be replaced this offseason, will land him a lucrative deal this offseason. His biggest obstacles to receiving that payday will be the free agent interest drawn by his peers.

Wes Welker (NE) - A free agent a year ago, the Patriots refused to budge from their stance and Welker ended up playing on the franchise tag. Now 32 headed into free agency, Welker will have even less leverage and the Patriots less likely to give him a long term deal. In the end, though his loss would force the Patriots to make slight offensive changes, it's not a loss they can't overcome with Brady and Josh McDaniels. Expect Wes Welker to play in a different uniform in 2013.

Danny Amendola (STL) - With quickness and sure hands, Amendola is as good as any working the slots and the chains. Though playing only 11 games, Amendola reeled in 63 passes for 666 yards and providing Bradford his only reliable target. The Rams don't have much cap space to use the franchise tag, but they should make re- signing Amendola to a long- term deal a high priority this offseason if they wish to see Sam Bradford finally take another step forward.

Brian Hartline (MIA) - With his first 1000 yard season coming with Ryan Tannehill at the helm of the offense, Brian Hartline insists upon his return to Miami. The Dolphins need to be spending this offseason looking for another receiver or two, but losing Hartline as the eventual #2 in this offense would be a big step backwards for the organization and their developing young quarterback, especially if they can't land another starting caliber receiver this offseason.

Of course, the top pick for me is Greg Jennings!  Still think he has a lot in the tank!  But he may be toooo expensive.  Just like other NFL teams, the salary cap creates issues & Greg Jennings may be out of the question!  So may I be the first to say - Good Bye Greg, good luck and please sign in the AFC!  

How about the college crop - let's look at the receivers this year.  Here is one list I found.

1 - Keenan Allen, California               6'2"  215 lbs.  40 time - 4.49
2 - Terance Williams, Baylor              6'3"  205 lbs.  40 time - 4.50
3 - Tavon Austin, West Virginia         5'9"  176 lbs.  40 time - 4.39
4 - DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson          6'1"  200 lbs.  40 time - 4.40
5 - Justin Hunter, Tennessee               6'4"  200 lbs.  40 time - 4.48
6 - Cardarrelle Patterson, Tennessee    6'3"  200 lbs.  40 time - 4.40
7 - Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech  6'3"  208 lbs.  40 time - 4.48
8 - Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas               6'3"  209 lbs.  40 time - 4.58

Here is what the Packer web site is saying: Packers Receiving Corp in the Midst of Change

OK, this how I see it.  Wide Receiver is not a "panic" move!  We can spend our money in other positions first!  I would avoid the NFL free agents!  Still think Jennings has a few more good years, but he is too expensive for the Pack right now.  I would go draft if the right player falls in our lap, but I would put the draft choice behind Defensive Line, Offensive Line, Running Back, & Linebackers!  Right now my gut goes with the Baylor kid, Terance Williams, nice size & speed combo!