Packers Potential 2022 Early Round Wide Receivers -

Packers Potential 2022 Early Round Wide Receivers

With little over a month to go before the NFL Draft, the brass at 1265 Lombardi Ave. is busy trying to find talent to bolster this roster. One area of immediate concern is the wide receiver position. After their decision to trade away Davante Adams, the Green Bay Packers will take a hard look at wide receiver prospects early and often in this draft.

Unlike recent drafts, the top wide receivers aren’t instant game-changers like Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson. The top prospects this season are a solid but muddled group and that is a situation geared towards a GM’s flavor. This year’s class brings nice complementary talents to a roster whether you like the big imposing athlete or the quick-twitch ankle breaker. Fortunately for the Packers, they have a legitimate shot at most, if not all of these players given the close rankings and varied skillsets. Let’s dive into some early wide receiver prospects.

The Big Fellas

Drake London – USC (6’4″ 219 pounds)

A nasty ankle injury ended Drake London‘s 2021 season early and widens his draft status. He has been ranked anywhere from top 15 to the 30s. One thing is for sure, London was having a monster season and might have the best ball skills in the draft. He wins 50/50 balls consistently and in an impressive manner. As a two sport athlete, London shows off his basketball skills in the red zone. The biggest question mark is speed and ability to separate but in the close quarters of the red zone, Aaron Rodgers would feed this power forward.

Read: Drake London’s Prospect Profile

Treylon Burks – Arkansas (6’2″ 225 pounds)

Talking heads are down on Treylon Burks because he didn’t blow up the combine like expected. It’s not that he was bad, he just failed to post elite numbers. The smart general managers however will go back to his tape and see an absolute playmaker that torched SEC defenses. Arkansas manufactured touches as well as pushed the ball downfield with this weapon. If you like wide receivers like A.J. Brown or a young Anquan Boldin, Burks is in that style. Add all of that to the fact he is a stud blocker and killed his interviews at the combine and you have a rock-solid prospect. He wasn’t asked to run a complete route tree but finding ways to get the ball to Burks will pay dividends.

Read: Treylon Burks’ Prospect Profile

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Christian Watson – North Dakota State (6’4″ 208 pounds)

Christian Watson is the small-school dark horse that could sneak into the 1st round. This guy is known as a hard worker and he showed off his athletic ability this off season. With his size, his 4.36 speed, and his elite jumping ability, Watson turned heads at the combine. He definitely belongs in the early rounds of the draft, despite not going to a Power 5 school. Watson comes from football bloodlines as his father, Tim Watson, played safety in the NFL. A steal if he’s available in the 2nd round for Green Bay.

Alec Pierce – Cincinnati (6’3″ 211 pounds)

I might be higher on Alec Pierce than most, but this guy is going to be drafted on day two. The first word that comes to mind on this Bearcat is tough. He’s not going to juke himself out of trouble but he will force defensive backs to have to make business decisions tackling him. Then Pierce went to the combine and jumped out of the gym. He posted a 40.5 vertical with a 4.41 40-yard dash. This All-Academic athlete is an instant special teams player with future offensive contributions.

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Read: Alec Pierce’s Prospect Profile

The Twitched up Dudes

Garrett Wilson – Ohio State (6’0″, 183 pounds)

I’ll start by saying that I don’t see Garrett Wilson as a top pick for the Packers. He is raw and a little light for Green Bay’s history of wide receivers. Saying that however, this is an after-the-catch beast with the best movement skills in the class. Wilson can contort his body at top speeds and will be a weapon from the jump for somebody. However, he needs work in his routes, footwork, and ability to attack the football. The Packers might view him as a slot-only player which is fine but might not be what the Green and Gold want at the end of the 1st round.

Read: Garrett Wilson’s Prospect Profile

Jahan Dotson – Penn State (5’11” 178 pounds)

For everything I knocked on Wilson, I somehow give a pass to Jahan Dotson. He is smaller and less explosive but plays with an edge and is always open. Dotson has nice hands, catches the ball away from his body, and has a high football IQ. His route running is NFL ready and he separates in his breaks. His frame worries me as a 1st-round pick but when I watch him, he plays bigger and is a plus special teams guy. Again maybe not a 1st rounder for Green Bay but if he’s there day two, sign me up.

Read: Jahan Dotson’s Prospect Profile

Big Play Speed Demon

Jameson Williams – Alabama (6’1″ 180 pounds)

If a team is looking to stretch the field and push the ball, Jameson Williams is your guy. When healthy, he is the best deep threat in this draft. He may not be the fastest track athlete, but on the gridiron he has special speed. Williams made a living tracking deep balls and running away from opponents at Alabama. Unfortunately, he was injured in the National Title game and is a question mark for his rookie season. Still, this is a talent that will have a long NFL career.

Read: Jameson Williams’ Prospect Profile

The Well Rounded Bunch

Chris Olave – Ohio State (6’0″ 187 pounds)

Chris Olave checks all the boxes with speed and production. He’s not as explosive as his teammate Wilson, but he’s the most NFL-ready wide receiver in this class. Olave can run a full route tree with ease and can be trusted to produce from day one. His size and strength might keep him from WR1 status but as a WR2 he’s going to be as good as they come. Olave is so smooth and doesn’t look like a rookie.

Read: Chris Olave’s Prospect Profile

Jalen Tolbert – South Alabama (6’1″ 194 pounds)

Jalen Tolbert won’t go in the 1st round but that doesn’t mean this cat can’t play. The Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, Tolbert was 6th in the FBS with almost 1,500 receiving yards. Another gazelle that glides through defenses, I love how he attacks the football in the air. Tolbert will make any wide receiver room better.

Read: Jalen Tolbert’s Prospect Profile

Latest Packers News

George Pickens – Georgia (6’3″ 200 pounds)

Injuries make George Pickens a bit of a mystery but the 5-star recruit has all the tools teams will be looking for. He is fast, explosive, and has nice size. Pickens has shown he can separate against top college talent and is a good hands catcher. Injuries could be a concern but his upside is intriguing.

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– Jesse Hall is a writer for Full Press Coverage Packers. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @hall_jhall1212 Follow @FPCoverage and Facebook.

– Kyle Senra is the managing editor for Full Press Coverage Packers. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @SenraSays Follow @FPC_Packers and Facebook.