The Packers Could Take A WR Earlier Than Expected

Even with Romeo Doubs' departure in free agency, the Green Bay Packers appear set at wide receiver in 2026. While that may technically be true, it’s an open question beyond 2026.

Because of that, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Packers draft a wide receiver.

Let's preface by saying it would be a gigantic surprise to see general manager Brian Gutekunst go wide receiver early on in Round 2 or Round 3. The Packers don't own their first-round pick thanks to the Micah Parsons trade last offseason, which condenses the high-end draft haul.

There are more pressing needs like cornerback and defensive lineman. Even though Gutekunst has stated many times that Green Bay doesn't draft based on positional needs, taking a wideout early on would be surprising and a bit baffling. It still doesn't feel like a wise endeavor to consider, even if there were a wide receiver projected to go far earlier than when the Packers select at No. 52 overall.

Things could open up later on in the draft, though. If that happens, don't rule out a wide receiver.

Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks all will come off the books after this season. It's widely expected that Green Bay will do everything possible to bring back Watson in the long term. To a lesser degree, it'd be surprising if they didn't also try to ink Reed to an extension. Still, there's no guarantee of any of that. And for that very reason, the potential dropoff in the wide receiver room from 2026 to 2027 could be steep.

The Packers brought in Skyy Moore more to be a returner, but he's a wide receiver by position. His deal is just for one year. Bo Melton will be back in 2026, and who knows if that will be as a cornerback, a wide receiver, or a combination of the two again. Melton will be a restricted free agent in 2027.

That leaves Matthew Golden and Savion Williams, Green Bay's two rookie receivers from last year, looking around. When given the chance, Golden has looked the part of a stud wide receiver, capable of being a WR1. Williams had even fewer opportunities and dealt with injuries at the end of his rookie campaign. Both should be on the roster beyond 2026. That isn't the question. The question is how high Golden will fly and how Matt LaFleur will get Williams more involved in the offense.

With Doubs off to the New England Patriots and three other major players lined up to hit free agency soon, drafting a wide receiver in a few weeks makes more sense than most people think. The impact likely wouldn't be felt this year. Hell, Golden was a first-round pick last April, and Green Bay refused to take the training wheels off.

What's becoming ever more clear is that it's very unlikely that all three of Watson, Reed, and Wicks get extensions to remain in Green Bay. Even if two of them do, along with the hopeful development of Golden, the Packers will still have three solid options moving forward. That remains an if on the Golden front.

Williams is also a wild card. Still, banking on him becoming a primary target given his role a year ago feels like a stretch.

The Packers could use an earlier-round pick on a WR for a redshirt season to develop, watch, and learn LaFleur's offense. Then, in 2027, if they need to use that player more, they can deploy them. If Watson and Reed are back on extensions, with Golden and Williams still on their rookie deals, that's also fine!

The Packers have always operated as an organization that tries to solve an issue before it becomes a problem. They've done it with the quarterback and the offensive line for decades.

In an ideal world, the Packers will get something worked out with Watson and one of Reed or Wicks. While that's happening, Golden will take flight and emerge as one of the better wide receivers in the league. Unfortunately, betting on ideal outcomes and living in a hypothetical world comes with serious risks; that’s not a business the Packers want to be in.

Cornerback, offensive line, and defensive line are the positions that undoubtedly dominate discussions inside and outside of Lambeau Field as the draft approaches. But once Day 3 rolls around, don't be surprised if the Packers also add a wide receiver to the mix as they prepare for 2027 and beyond.