When the Green Bay Packers lost James Jones in free agency, it was a concern. While Jarrett Boykin 
had performed admirably and with Randall Cobb recently returned to put the dagger in the Chicago Bears (watch it yet again…here) the Packers had playmakers at one, two and three…but with Jermichael presumably not coming back, the loss of Jones had the potential to thin the corps of weapons for Aaron Rodgers. GPN’s own Michael Davidsen drew attention to this danger, and the opportunity it presented for young challengers, before the draft.
Flash forward to Packers training camp 2014
The surprise of this year’s draft was how heavy it was on offensive players, in particular receivers.The Packers chose three receivers and the velcro-handed tight end Richard Rodgers. Suddenly the picture has changed…
Tomorrow, when training camp begins, the Packers will have what amounts to an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver. The competition will be fierce and it is likely that Packers fans will have to see a fan fave or a really quality kid with a lot of potential fail to make the team. That disappointment, if the Packers make the right choices, will amount to a Packers wide receiver corps that is so deep and strong it can more than atone for the pain.
The Starters
Nelson, Cobb, and Boykin have solidified the starting roles one through three. It would be a serious surprise if anybody (Adams/Abbrederis) could rob Boykin of the number three…but anything can happen. The Packers seem to be set and solid one through three.
The Challengers
But from there out…the picture gets very crowded and blurry. Holdovers Chris Harper and Myles White have experience on their side. But draft picks Adams, Abbrederis, and Janis were drafted for a reason and all have particular strengths that make them interesting. Adams is a catch and yardage machine and the Packers are high on him as the kind of guy who catches everything that is thrown his way and has the physicals to get YAC. Abbrederis is a polished route runner and sure handed and…well…a former Badger (not that it has anything to do with it ;). Finally, Janis was spoken of VERY highly by Thompson as a guy that they thought has the physicals to play at the next level. Janis seems like a long shot, coming from a small school…but have any small school players made it on the Packers (Donald Driver)?
Kevin Dorsey and Alex Gillett also seem like long shots but if they take advantage of opportunities…who knows?
Conclusion
The wide receiver battle will be one of the most heated of this year’s training camp and will likely see quality player(s) that could have made a contribution being left behind. But the flipside is that the remaining Packers receiver corps will be perhaps the deepest we have seen in a long time. Enjoy the show and…
GO PACK!!!
You said it would be a surprise if anyone(Rodgers/Abby) can take the #3 from Boykin! I think you meant (Adams/Abby) since Rodgers is a TE
But now that the pads are on I believe that Abby and Janis will shine also if this illness that Janis has goes away fast so he can show his stuff anyways!
If they keep 6 WR’s this year like I think they might then Abby/Janis/Adams will be my choices besides the top 3
Thanks Jeff! I would love to see them keep six and agree with you on Adams/Abby/Janis. There is a reason they picked that guy. Thanks for the correction and for reading!
Your welcome Brady and Ty for the great reading keep em coming Go Pack!
Couldn’t do it without great fans/fact checkers (ha!) like you!!! Thank you! Can’t wait for another great season of Packers football and got a feeling this one could be special!
Abbrederis is pulling the #4 spot!! I would love to see a Badger playing for the Pack this year!!