At first glance, wide receiver appears to be one of the deepest positions on the Green Bay Packers roster right now. But a closer examination shows that this is a sneaky, long-term need for the Packers this offseason. We break down the present situation and what GM Brian Gutekunst can do to address it going forward.

Why This Position is a Sneaky Need for the Packers: The Projected Starters

The Packers are presently deep at wide receiver. Even if Romeo Doubs leaves via free agency as expected, the team will be at least five-deep at the position. The top five on the depth chart as of now would include Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams.

Watson will return as the presumptive top target. The issue with Watson remains staying healthy. The former North Dakota State star has yet to play every game in an NFL season over his first four years in the league. Last year, he played 10 games after missing the first six due to his recovery from a torn ACL (he also sat out the season finale). The key for him it to stay healthy and prove he can be a legitimate WR1.

Reed will likely continue to play in the slot. He missed 10 games after undergoing surgery early in the season for a Jones fracture and a broken collarbone. He led the Packers in catches in each of his first two NFL seasons. A full season from Reed would give quarterback Jordan Love a reliable short and intermediate target who could help keep the chains moving consistently.

Golden would be the favorite to be the other boundary starter. The 2025 first-round pick showed flashes of elite ability as a rookie but saw his playing time reduced after Watson and Reed returned from injury. He has very good speed and hands but has yet to fully adjust to playing at the NFL level. A step forward from Golden would give the Packers a formidable top three receivers.

Projected Depth

Wicks would be the projected top backup receiver on the depth chart. Wicks improved his hands last season, dropping just two passes after being credited with nine drops in 2024. Injuries slowed his progress last season, and he missed three full games and was limited in others.

Wicks knows how to get open but has yet to achieve consistency in the NFL. He has proven himself to be a useful depth piece who can fill in and start when called upon. He had the team’s first 100-yard receiving game last season.

The other returning depth piece will be Savion Williams. The 2025 third-round pick saw more action on special teams than on offense as a rookie. Head coach Matt LaFleur schemed up plays for him like jet sweeps and bubble screens. The Packers hope he makes a second-year jump in 2026 and can take on a bigger role in the offense.

Why This Position is a Sneaky Need for the Packers: Why This Is a Sneaky Need

The current contract situation creates a sneaky need at wide receiver. Watson will be playing on a one-year deal in 2026 unless Gutekunst signs him to a new extension. He will likely try to get that done this offseason, but if he cannot, the Packers could lose their number one receiver next offseason.

Reed and Wicks are both entering the final year of their rookie contracts in 2026. The Packers will be unlikely to give both of them a second contract (and may not want to). Even if only one of them does not return, the need for depth in 2026 increases.

We also don’t know whether Golden and Williams will take a big step forward in their second NFL seasons. If they do, the need is somewhat reduced. If they don’t improve significantly in year two, the need for receivers grows.

Gutekunst has to decide where to go from here. Don’t be surprised if he adds a receiver at some point on day three of the draft this year as a developmental depth piece who could step up and play a larger role in 2027. He may also sign one or more of the three players on expiring contracts to a new deal that would keep one or more of them in Green Bay beyond 2026.

Either way, wide receiver remains a sneaky need for the Packers this offseason.

 

 

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