Green Bay Packers rookie wide receivers reveal what they've learned in minicamp
The Green Bay Packers are going to be counting heavily on their rookie receivers in 2022. Following the departure of Pro Bowl wideout Davante Adams this offseason, the Packers are still figuring out how to replace his production.
They added three receivers — Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure — through the 2022 NFL Draft in attempt to do so. However, the transition from college to NFL action is not an easy one to make. The trio of Packers rookie receivers still has a long way to go to become productive players at the next level but are slowly making progress in offseason minicamps.
“I definitely think I’ve been stacking days and getting better each and every day,” Watson told Packers reporter Wes Hodklewlcz. “Obviously, there’s ups and downs but I definitely feel like I’ve come a long way. Obviously, I still feel like I have a ways to go, but I feel like that’ll come with a couple weeks that we have off before training camp and I think I’ll be good.”
A North Dakota State product, Watson was the first receiver take off the board for the Packers in the second round. He was a part of four FCS championship teams during his time a NDSU in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. He finished this past season with 43 catches for 801 yards and seven touchdowns to earn second team All-American honors according to the AP.
The Packers have high expectations for Watson going forward, but he certainly has a long way to go to reach the caliber of a player like Adams. Cornerback Jaire Alexander is one player who has been doing his best to pass on his NFL knowledge to Watson, offering tips after facing the rookie in practice.
“It only makes me better,” Watson said. “He’ll tell me straight up exactly why he broke on my route, exactly which indicator I gave on the route, and I know if I get open then I know it was a great route for me. It’s definitely a great experience to get to go up against him and him obviously coaching me up, even though I’m on the other side of the ball.”
As for Doubs and Toure, they have mainly been working with the second team offense. Hodklewlcz cited Doubs as standing out among the two for the number of passes he caught in practice sessions open to the media. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound receiver is coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at Nevada and hopes to carry that production over to the next level.
“I felt really comfortable in this system,” Doubs said. “I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to get wherever there is I need to be, whether it’s the best in the game or intermediate, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to make sure I’m doing my part for everyone in this room and those who I’d love to inspire outside this room.”
As the Packers continue to try to develop their rookie receivers, they can rest assured the passing game is still in good hands with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay is set to open the 2022 season on Sept. 11 against the Minnesota Vikings.