This year’s free agency period for the Green Bay Packers can be described as underwhelming. They saw running back AJ Dillon depart for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles and are still attempting to move cornerback Jaire Alexander, though interest seems tepid.
Meanwhile, they’ve yet to secure a genuine No. 1 wide receiver or bolster their defensive pass rush. They did manage to sign WR Mecole Hardman from the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, but his role is not expected to be more than supplementary. If the Packers are open to adapting their organizational strategies, the forthcoming NFL draft could offer some assistance in the wide receiver department.
In his recent mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicts they will select Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka with the 23rd overall pick. “Egbuka’s game is very polished,” noted Kiper (via ClutchPoints). “He excels in route running, possesses reliable hands, and is adept at reading defenses. Although Green Bay historically avoids selecting wide receivers in the first round (with Javon Walker being the last in 2002), this year seems opportune to change that trend.”
As Kiper highlighted, the Packers have been hesitant to draft wide receivers early on. They’ve also historically been conservative in free agency, though this may have shifted slightly of late. A year ago, there was significant hope and enthusiasm about Green Bay’s immediate prospects following their near miss at the NFC Championship Game.
But now, it’s apparent that their group of young wideouts isn’t as promising as it appeared months ago. “Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs all have injury issues,” Kiper observed. “I’m unsure if any of them are true WR1s when fit. Egbuka tallied 1,011 receiving yards last season and could have an immediate effect on this offense.” Egbuka is expected to be an effective slot receiver with smooth athleticism and reasonable size at 6-foot-1 and about 200 pounds.
He has a knack for tracking the ball in the air, and Bleacher Report’s scouting described him as a “natural route-runner.” He recorded 10 touchdown catches, and in the Buckeyes’ triumph in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, he caught six passes for 64 yards and added 13 yards on a single rushing attempt. He concluded his college career as the all-time leader in receptions at the school with 205.
