The Green Bay Packers have an obvious need at wide receiver. They especially need a reliable go-to pass catcher which they lacked in 2024. With the new league year starting next week and franchise tags being handed out, we now know which free agent wide receivers will be available on the open market. Here is a look at five free agent wide receivers that could help the Packers this offseason.
The Packers already know they will be without Christian Watson for at least the first half of the 2025 season as he rehabs from knee surgery. That leaves the team without a clear number one receiver entering next season unless they trade for someone, sign a free agent, or add a wideout early in the draft.
The top three receivers on the current depth chart include Jayden Reed in the slot and Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks on the perimeter. Bo Melton and Malik Heath add depth. Watson and Doubs have expiring contracts after the 2025 season.
The players on this list are not in any particular order.
Free Agent Wide Receivers That Could Help the Packers Number One: Davante Adams
Bringing Davante Adams back home to Green Bay would be great for the Packers on several levels. The Packers need a reliable go-to pass catcher for Jordan Love and Adams would still fit the bill. He has played for Matt LaFleur and knows the offense and is also familiar with Love.
Adams has great hands and runs precise routes. He never relied primarily on speed to get open so even if he loses half a step at age 32, he should still be able to get open by using his other skills. He would also set a great example for the younger receivers on the roster.
Last season, despite lacking an elite quarterback with both the Raiders and Jets, Adams still finished with 85 catches for 1,063 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Packers need not wait to sign him either as Adams has been let go by the Jets and can be signed at any time as long as the Packers can work out a new contract for his services.
Number Two: Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs has already played for 10 years in the NFL with Minnesota, Buffalo and Houston. He appeared in only eight games last season with the Texans but still caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three scores which puts him on pace for close to 100 catches and 1,000 yards over a 17-game schedule.
He is coming off a torn ACL which certainly would have to be checked out if the Packers were to sign the 31-year-old Maryland alum. They also need to know when he’ll be ready to return to action.
Diggs remains a reliable possession receiver who has hurt the Packers in the past as an opponent. He has good hands and experience, and he could help the Packers if he’s healthy enough to play up to his prior level in 2025.
Free Agent Cornerbacks That Could Help the Packers Number Three: Chris Godwin
Like Diggs, Chris Godwin also saw his season end prematurely in 2024 due to an injury. The long-time Bucs star suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 7. Despite missing 10 games, he still made 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns.
If he’s healthy and ready to go, the 29-year-old Penn State product has great hands. His catch percentage last season was in impressive 80.6 and his career average is 71.0. His career drop average is 2.9 per season, much lower than most Packers receivers in 2024.
Godwin has four career 1,000-plus seasons and went to the Pro Bowl after the 2019 campaign. He should have some good football left in him and would give the Packers a reliable veteran presence if the injury is no longer an issue.
Number Four: Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen will turn 33 next month but the former Cal star remains productive when he’s on the field, even if he isn’t as much of a deep threat as he was in his prime.
In 15 games with the Bears, Allen caught 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns. Those are good numbers for a team with a rookie quarterback, three offensive coordinators, and a bad offensive line.
He has good size at 6’2” and 211 pounds and he’s been selected to six Pro Bowls with the most recent coming after the 2023 season.
The Packers could probably sign Allen to a one or two-year deal and have the young receivers learn from him. He could give Love a steady and reliable target even if he’s no longer an elite player at this stage of his career.
Free Agent Wide Receivers That Could Help the Packers Number Five: DeAndre Hopkins
The Packers had expressed interest in DeAndre Hopkins in the past but never acquired the former Clemson star.
He will turn 33 before training camp starts this year, so again, the Packers would look to sign him to a short-term deal. Hopkins topped 1,000 yards receiving seven times in his career and as recently as 2023.
Hopkins spit time between the Titans and Chiefs last year and finished with 56 catches for 610 yards and five scores. His catch percentage was a healthy 70.0 so even if he can’t get deep frequently these days, he’s still capable of contributing to the offense.
The Packers should be able to get Hopkins as a more reasonable price, but his impact would not be as great as Adams, for example. He can still be a useful player if the Pack signs him in 2025.
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