This is the next in a series of articles providing an in-depth analysis of each position group on the Green Bay Packers for 2024. Today we will analyze the wide receivers. The grades will be for each unit as a whole, but we will give an analysis of each player, their strengths and weaknesses and where they stand heading into the offseason. Here are the grades for the Packers wide receivers in 2024. The marks are based on a combination of expectations and performance.
You can see our final grade for the quarterbacks here and for the defensive line here. The running backs are here, the linebackers here, tight ends here, defensive ends here, the offensive line here and the secondary here.
The Packers did not have a clear cut WR1 this season. Quarterback Jordan Love had to find whoever was open, rather than focusing exclusively on one favorite target. No receiver had 100 catches or 1,000 yards this year. There is talent here, but injuries and the lack of a go-to receiver seemed to hurt this team at times.
Final Grades for the 2024 Packers Wide Receivers: The Starters
The Packers hoped Christian Watson would stay healthy this year after they sent him to a hamstring specialist in Madison during last offseason. Watson managed to play 15 games, but he was limited due to injuries in several of them.
Watson caught only 29 passes this season, but he averaged 21.4-yards per catch. He also caught two touchdowns. He suffered a serious knee injury in the regular season finale against the Bears and will miss at least half of the 2025 season while he rehabs from surgery. The 2025 campaign will be the final year of his rookie contract.
Watson possesses a rare combination of size and speed. Defenses have to respect Watson, and his mere presence creates space for teammates even when he doesn’t get the ball. The issue has been his struggle to stay on the field and to produce consistently.
Romeo Doubs had a disappointing season in many ways. He played 13 games and started 12. He missed three games due to injury and was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Apparently, Doubs was disappointed with his role in the offense. Most sources indicate that this issue hasn’t been fully resolved despite Doubs’ return to the lineup.
The former Nevada star caught 46 passes for 601 yards and four touchdowns. He has always enjoyed good chemistry with Love. The quarterback often looks for Doubs when he needs a critical first down. Doubs plays most effectively against zone defenses and over the middle of the field. If he can be happy with his role, he can see more targets in 2025 with Watson sidelined early.
Jayden Reed led the team with 55 catches for 857 yards. He also caught six touchdowns. Reed predominantly lines up in the slot.
Reed enjoyed a strong start to the season but slumped during the second half. He has the ability to get deep, but as the season went on, the Packers tended to utilize him on short passes with many coming behind the line of scrimmage.
The Packers also liked utilizing Reed on jet sweeps and end arounds. He gained 163 yards on 20 rushing attempts and scored a touchdown. That was a healthy 8.2-yard average per carry.
If Reed can consistently produce the way he did in the first half of the season, he can become a dangerous player. Finding consistency will be the key to his development.
Primary Backup Wide Receivers
Dontavion Wicks struggled with drops especially early in the season. He was among the league leaders with nine drops in 76 targets. He did catch 39 passes for 415 yards and five touchdowns. His average yards per catch went down from 14.9-yards per catch in 2023 to 10.6 this season.
Wicks has good speed, but the former Virginia star needs to have better hands. The talent is there but unless he can perform consistently, he will not take on a bigger role.
Malik Heath played 13 games and started one. He caught just 10 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing on special teams. Heath provides solid depth but has yet to show he can be a starter in the NFL.
Bo Melton played in all 17 games but didn’t start any. He caught eight passes for 91 yards and ran eight times for 54 yards on jet sweeps and end arounds. He is also a good blocker.
Melton provides the Packers with solid depth at wide receiver and contributes on special teams as well. He played 23 percent of the team’s offensive snaps.
Final Grades for the Packers 2024 Wide Receivers
Players’ progress in the NFL is not linear. The Packers wide receivers failed to take a significant step forward in 2024 and their lack of progress was disappointing. The team also struggled with drops throughout the season.
That being said, the Packers possess a talented young crew of wide receivers who have yet to fully realize their potential. The lack of a number one wideout did hurt the team at times this season.
GM Brian Gutekunst will need to upgrade this unit during the offseason especially with Watson set to miss a significant part of the 2025 season. He could look to add a veteran via trade or free agency. The Packers could also use a high draft pick to add a receiver, although they haven’t selected a wide out in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
This group still has potential, but they need to live up to it starting next season.
FINAL GRADE: C+
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