Aaron Rodgers is back in Green Bay for the 2022 season, but the Packers' NFL MVP quarterback will now need to operate with his long-time go-to wide receiver, Davante Adams.
In a shocking move, Adams is heading to Las Vegas and getting his lucrative long-term deal from the Raiders after being franchise tag. While Adams becomes the new No. 1 for his former college QB, Derek Carr, Rodgers needs his receiving corps replenished.
The Packers did get first- and second-round draft picks in exchange for Adams. That means they have four selections in the top 60 — Nos. 22, 28, 53 and 59 overall. That's a good place to start hunting for help.
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Packers' best options to replace Davante Adams
1. Trade up to draft Garrett Wilson or Chris Olave
The wide receiver class likely won't have a top 10 pick, but these former Ohio State stars should go around the middle of the first round. Between the Commanders at No. 11 and the second of two Eagles picks No. 16, there's a good chance either Wilson or Olave are selected. Then there are the Saints at No. 18, the Eagles again at No. 19 and the Patriots No. 21, right before the Packers pick.
If the Packers have a preference between Wilson and Olave and want to make sure they get their man, they can use their higher second-round pick at No. 53 and package it with No. 22 to slide up into the early teens.
2. Trade up to draft Jameson Williams
The former Alabama star, once at Ohio State with Wilson and Olave, is expected to be at worst the third wideout off the board, even when coming off a torn ACL he suffered in the January national championship game vs. Georgia. Once Wilson and Olave are gone, Williams is the last top-tier option. The Packers, in this scenario, can give up their No. 28 and No. 59 picks and keep the higher selections in the first two rounds. Wilson, Olave and Williams all offer varied skill sets, but they also all profile as No. 1s who have the speed and quickness to maintain their big playmaking in the NFL.
3. Draft Treylon Burks or Drake London
The Packers should be able to land Burks, the big versatile body from Arkansas, with at least No. 22 overall without moving up. They can also fall back on the classic size-speed outside upside of USC's London at No. 28. Burks is more of a Deebo Samuel type while London has some Mike Evans qualities. There's some concern in the dropoff in explosiveness from Wilson, Olave and Williams, but there were similar knocks on Adams until the Packers took him at No. 53 overall (where they pick again) in 2014.
4. Draft two wide receivers early
Whether the Packers trade up to stay put to draft their wide receiver in the first round, they should consider taking another in the first or second round. After the above five mention prospects, deep threats Jahan Doston of Penn State and John Metchie of Alabama would be good ways to double up on the position, independent of bringing free agent Marquez Valdes-Scantling back. Going a little deeper, Georgia's George Pickens and South Alabama's Jalen Tolbert also need to be on the radar.
5. Draft a wide receiver and TE Trey McBride early
The Packers can also take a top wideout in the draft and go after the best all-around tight end in the draft. Not only is Adams gone, but one of Rodgers' other favorite targets, expected to be re-signed free-agent tight end Robert Tonyan, is coming off a torn ACL. McBride is a complete tight end and can stretch the seam as a receiver giving Matt LaFleur the potential to pivot to more 12 personnel looks to boost Rodgers. The bottom line, it won't take just one person to replace Adams and also upgrade the receiving corps. Getting two impact pass-catchers, period, needs to be at the front of the table.
6. Draft a wide receiver and try to trade for DK Metcalf
Now that we have established the Packers should come out of the first round with a new wideout, they need to do some work before April 28. They should at least put in a call to the Seahawks, fresh off their own blockbuster trade of Russell Wilson, to see if their physically dominant No. 1 is available at the right price. Metcalf, in the final year of his rookie contract, is set up for a massive long-term salary soon and Seattle might be wary of paying that should it be in rebuilding mode without Wilson.
The Packers should be willing to lucratively lock up a receiver such as Metcalf. who is who is only 24, five years younger than Adams. Metcalf paired with a top rookie would do more than mitigate the loss of Adams — it would also be an overall upgrade for Rodgers.
7. Draft a wide receiver and sign Jarvis Landry
Landry, the former Brown and Dolphin, seems like the ideal Packer, an upgrade over Rodgers favorite Randall Cobb, with his slot strength, great hands and route/alignment versatility. Landry and a No. 1-type rookie would also be a pleasing combination.
8. Draft a wide receiver and sign Julio Jones
Jones is a fading former Falcon future Hall of Famer because of his age (33) and history of soft tissue injuries. He didn't work out with the Titans due to those durability issues opposite young stud A.J. Brown. But like A.J. Green with the Cardinals and Odell Beckham Jr. with the Rams last season, he can be a helpful No. 2 at times. He also can be revived as a big-play receiver playing with Rodgers' arm.
9. Draft a wide receiver and sign Odell Beckham Jr.
Speaking of OBJ and Green, both are also unsigned for 2022. With Allen Robinson, who would have been an excellent addition for the Packers, going to the Rams, there's uncertainty over Beckham's potential return to Los Angeles. Green Bay could add Beckham (or even Green) as a complement for cheap. Robinson as a Ram could also put Robert Woods into play as a trade target, but he's coming off a torn ACL, too, carries a big contract, and will turn 30 in April. The Super Bowl-winning Rams also shouldn't want to make a deal that helps Rodgers and another NFC contender.
For the Packers to remain those contenders without Adams, they must move up wide receiver to the highest priority in their remaining offseason plan.
