The Tennesee Titans might have thrown a wrench in the Green Bay Packers’ first-round plans at wide receiver on Thursday.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network told “The Pat McAfee Show” that Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks was the receiver Aaron Rodgers wanted in the first round, but the Titans’ blockbuster trade sending A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles opened the door for Tennessee to take Burks at No. 18 overall.
“The word I got was that Treylon Burks was the guy that Rodgers liked, that he did the most work on, that he wanted,” Rapoport said.
The Packers, stuck four picks behind Tennessee at No. 22, had to switch gears with Burks and all the rest of their first-round receivers off the board. Instead of reaching for a different receiver, the Packers bolstered the defense with linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt.
Burks, at 6-2 and 225 pounds, could have been an intriguing fit with Rodgers and Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Many actually compared Burks to Brown, given their size, play speed and ability after the catch.
Instead of Burks beginning his NFL career with Rodgers and the Packers, he’ll go to Tennessee as a replacement for Brown in the AFC South.
Rodgers also told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday night that he thought Jameson Williams was the most NFL-ready receiver in the class. The Detroit Lions moved up 20 spots in the first round to get him at No. 12.
The Packers are likely to draft at least one receiver during Day 2 of the draft. There aren’t many receivers in the class like Burks, but Christian Watson and George Pickens could be second-round options.
