The Green Bay Packers have parted ways with two of their top five receivers from a year ago. GM Brian Gutekunst allowed Romeo Doubs to depart in free agency and then traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles last week for a couple of late round draft picks. This means that the Packers are now counting on a pair of second-year receivers to step up and play bigger roles in the offense in 2026. Their performance will not have a critical impact on the Green Bay offense in 2026.

Packers Counting on Second Year Receivers: The Top Pick

The obvious player the team hopes will step up in 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden. The former Texas star will have the first opportunity to replace Doubs as a starter next season. Golden had a strong showing in training camp and the preseason but proved a bit inconsistent in his rookie campaign.

Golden played 14 games for the Packers as a rookie and caught 29 passes for 361 yards. He showed good hands but needs to develop more consistency with his route running. Golden scored his first pro touchdown in the Packers playoff game in Chicago last January when he caught four passes for 84 yards.

The Packers project Golden as a full-time starter on the boundary opposite Christian Watson. If that duo stays healthy and plays well, it will give Jordan Love two speedy and dangerous targets at the wide receiver position. Jayden Reed will return as the team’s top option in the slot.

Obviously, the Packers view Golden as a long-term solution at wide receiver or they wouldn’t have made him the team’s first receiver selected in round one of the NFL Draft in more than two decades.

The Third Rounder

While all eyes were on Golden, the Packers also selected another wide receiver in the third round of last year’s draft. Savion Williams saw the field less frequently than Golden did in his rookie season but still showed flashes of ability that intrigued the coaching staff.

At 6’4” and 222 pounds, the TCU alum provides his quarterback with a bigger target than Golden. Williams played 12 games for the Packers as a rookie and caught 10 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Matt LaFleur also utilized Williams on gadget plays like end arounds, jet sweeps and bubble screens. He ran the ball 11 times for 37 yards last season and also contributed on special teams as a kick returner.

LaFleur was determined to get the ball in Williams’ hands in space so he could create yards after the catch. The Packers are hoping Williams will improve his knowledge of the playbook and the consistency of his routes.

Barring injuries, Williams will receive strong consideration to take over the fourth receiver spot vacated by Wicks’ departure in 2026.

Packers Counting on Second Year Receivers: The Outlook

The should enter the 2026 campaign with talent at wide receiver. The depth has been thinned out, however due to the departures of Doubs and Wicks.

Gutekunst will likely look to add another receiving option in the draft. The need to fortify the receiver position becomes more important when you consider that both Watson and Reed are entering the final year of their contracts in 2026 and won’t be back in Green Bay unless they are signed to new contracts.

The Packers are taking a gamble here at receiver. They are relying on talented but unproven players to step in and play expanded roles on the team this season. If injuries strike or if Golden or Williams fail to progress this season, the team could have turned a strength into a relative weakness.

While the team is likely to add a draft pick or two, rookie wide receivers rarely make a big impact right away, especially those selected on day two or day three of the draft.

Ultimately, the Packers will count on Golden and Williams to improve their receiving room this season. They both need to take a step forward to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

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