The Green Bay Packers have one of the most complex fantasy football wide receiver rooms as any team in the league. Their 2024 salaries combined are just $11.5 million, but the Packers had surprising production with a group approach that included rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks and second-year players Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. At one point or another, each player was the go-to receiver for Jordan Love, but none of them sustained it over the course of the season, making all of them have slowly descending value with none of them viewed as a dominant fantasy starter.
Jayden Reed
A second-round pick last year, Reed led the Packers in receptions (64), yards (793) and total touchdowns (10 – eight receiving, two rushing). He was consistent but had only one game with more than four receptions until mid-December.
In his final four games, he caught 24 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns but virtually disappeared in the playoffs, catching four passes for 35 yards in two games. Primarily a slot receiver when the ball came his way, he also was used in the running game on jet sweeps near the goal line.
In 16 games, Reed was targeted six or more times in eight games – the most on the team – and his role should be better defined in his second season.
Christian Watson
If there was any guarantee that he could stay healthy, Watson would be the clear-cut No. 1 guy in Green Bay. He has averaged 15 yards per catch and has scored 12 touchdowns on just 69 receptions.
However, the 69 catches in that equation is part of the problem. Injuries have limited him to 23 games, and he has averaged just three receptions a game in the ones he’s played and has been forced to the fantasy bench for the 11 games he’s missed with three different hamstring injuries.
This offseason, Watson saw a specialist and learned about a muscle imbalance from one leg to the other, so there’s hope the medical staff can get it sorted out.
If he can ever stay injury-free, Watson has the potential to be a breakout star, but he drops too many passes and needs more polish to his game. In a crowded receiver room that’s never good.
Romeo Doubs
Doubs tied for the team lead with eight touchdowns and was the only Packers receiver to play in all 17 games. For anyone on a fantasy roster, being an option for a weekly lineup every game is a valued asset.
He was at his best in the red zone – six of his eight touchdowns came inside the 20-yard line. Doubs doesn’t post dynamic numbers – he had more than five receptions just one and had just one game with more than 80 receiving yards.
With Watson out the first three games, Doubs garnered the first opportunity to be Love’s top receiver. In the first four games, he was targeted 33 times, caught 20 passes for 224 yards, and scored three touchdowns. In the final 13 games, he caught just 39 passes for 450 yards and five TDs. But with their season on the line, Doubs caught 10 passes for 234 yards – more catches than the other top three wideouts combined and had three times as many yards. He’s the steadiest player of the group but may be the least dynamic.
Dontayvion Wicks
Wicks came on strong late. In his final three games as the Packers were fighting for a playoff berth, he caught 14 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
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He had his moments but will need injuries to others to increase his role in the offense. That’s never a recipe for success. Wicks’ roster spot is secure, but his role in the offense is far less certain.
Fantasy football outlook
From a team perspective, being able to spread the ball around to multiple players (we didn’t even mention Bo Melton, who came up big late in the season) is a positive. In the fantasy realm, it’s the equivalent to a running back-by-committee – nobody wins.
In terms of pure talent, Watson is the best receiver Love has, but Reed is likely going to be the first Packers wideout taken in fantasy drafts – most likely a WR3 in 12-team leagues.
Watson will likely be a WR4 based on injury concerns, but if someone is going to roll the dice on upside from this group, he is the pick for those willing to take a risk.
Doubs is a steady player who typically will fall in the No. 4 bucket or even WR5 range and likely rarely see himself in lineups, but an injury to Reed or Watson will make him a value pick. Many people targeting Doubs late are likely banking on Watson’s hammy flaring up again.
Wicks has an ADP of WR59 at the moment, and Melton goes undrafted.
Someone is going to be a steal from this group. The problem is nobody is sure which one it will be. Watson, as mentioned, is the smartest risk-reward bet based on his WR45 placement.
