NFL Combine showcases why Packers won't rule out drafting WR

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman (WO04) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wide receiver is far from a positional need that the Green Bay Packers have to prioritize adding to this offseason. In fact, it’s at the bottom of the list–or close to it.

However, in a sit-down conversation with Larry McCarren at the NFL Combine, GM Brian Gutekunst said he wouldn’t rule out selecting a wide receiver in this year’s draft. We then saw why that was the case at the NFL Combine.

“No, not at all,” Gutekunst told Larry McCarren of Packers.com when asked if the receiver depth would preclude him from drafting more receivers. “And it goes back to the competition in every room. All those players did a really nice job in 2023 of competing and taking advantage of their opportunities, but 2024 is a new year, and they’ll need to do the same thing again and again.”

We then saw why that was the case for Gutekunst as the NFL Combine unfolded and confirmed what was already expected–this year’s wide receiver class is loaded.

From a pure athletic testing standpoint, 21 different receivers registered at least 8.0 on the Relative Athletic Score scale, which is important to note because, during Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager, 74 percent of his overall draft picks have hit that mark.

Of those 21 prospects, 18 were above 9.0. Nine different wideouts would run a sub-4.4 second 40-yard dash, with Texas’s Xavier Worthy running a record-setting 4.21 second 40 time.

In regards to film evaluation, PFF has 15 receivers ranked in their top 75 overall prospects. ESPN’s Matt Miller believes up to eight receivers could be selected in the first round this year–a record-setting number. While Packers Wire’s own Brennen Rupp could see as many as 20 receivers going within the first two days.

“We’re going to bring in players to compete with them,” added Gutekunst about the receiver position. “It is a strong room as we sit here today, which is exciting. But what they do from now until the middle of next season will determine that, so if we find the right players who we think can compete and add to our team, we’ll certainly do it.”

Coming out of the 2023 season, the Packers are obviously positioned quite well at receiver. On just about any given play, Jordan Love could get the ball to six or even seven different receivers, which ended up being one of the strengths of the offense.

Rather than defenses being able to key in on one or two pass catchers, they had to defend the entire field, resulting in better spacing and one-on-one opportunities.

The skill sets within this Packers’ receiver room are also quite diverse, with each player filling a specific role, allowing Matt LaFleur to get creative as a play designer and play caller. And with so much young talent on the roster, there is still more room for growth, not to mention that the only free agent on the roster after the 2024 season is Bo Melton.

However, even with all of that being true, competition last season played a crucial role in the overall development of this position group, and Gutekunst doesn’t want to lose that.

“I think the one thing that really came out of this season, that was evident,” said Gutekunst, “was that the competition within the rooms allowed us to grow and grow at maybe an accelerated pace. I think that’s the biggest thing.

“As we get into the very beginning stages of building this team and this team working together is having enough competition in all phases so that growth can be accelerated.”

Of course, there are more pressing needs than wide receiver for the Packers, but with five picks in the top 100, Gutekunst does have quite a bit of flexibility.

If there is an unexpected receiver available while the Packers are on the clock or if the best available player on their board is a receiver, Gutekunst can make that selection and still have four picks – plus whatever happens in free agency – to address more pressing needs. The key will be adding someone with a skill set not already accounted for.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: NFL Combine showcases why Packers won’t rule out drafting WR