The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world, and their own fans especially, when they selected Matthew Golden, a wide receiver, with their first round pick (23rd overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.
It was the first time since 2002 that the Packers had used their first round pick on a wide receiver.
The following day, in the third round, Green Bay selected yet another wide receiver, Savion Williams out of TCU.
Earlier in the offseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst had stated that it was time for his team to feel a sense of urgency and to start competing for Super Bowls. At the time, many assumed that his statement meant that he would be signing some high-profile free agents. And while he did add some key pieces in free agency, they were not the big splashes that fans had expected.
But his selecting of Golden and Williams showed that the message was not for himself or the front office. Rather, it was directed at his own players.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers Need to Improve to Keep Their Jobs
Last season, the Packers pass catchers had the second-worst drop percentage in the NFL (6.9%). Only the Cleveland Browns (7.4%) were worse.
Green Bay’s 33 total drops were tied for the third worst in the league with the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants. Only the Browns (49) and New York Jets (40) had more.
Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, both second-year players in 2024, were among the top-ten in the NFL in drops, both recording nine. Romeo Doubs, who played in just 13 games, was not far behind them with seven.
Reed had the worst drop percentage on the team with 12.0%. Wicks was not far behind with 11.8%. Doubs had the third-worst drop percentage on the team with 9.7%.
Ironically, the wide receiver many fans associate with drops the most, Christian Watson, was the most sure-handed pass catcher in the room, dropping only two passes and posting a drop percentage of 3.8%. However, Watson will miss a portion of the 2025 season as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Romeo Doubs Predicted to Not Make the Green Bay Packers Roster
Of all the receivers listed above, Doubs may have the most clouded future with the team due to an incident that occurred last season. He skipped practice and was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. It was later revealed that he was not happy with his share of targets in the passing game (he had the second-most targets on the team at the time).
But, by all accounts, the early season issue was quickly resolved and both parties moved on. Still, some fans and writers believe that this incident, along with his drop issues, could spell the end of Doubs’ run in Green Bay sooner rather than later.
Chris Schad of Dairyland Express recently wrote, “Doubs could be a surprising roster cut and looking for somewhere else to play in 2025.” He argues that Doubs’ drop issues, as well as his suspension last year, might make him a possible cut candidate.
But it is hard to see that being the case in Green Bay. Head coach Matt LaFleur recently praised Doubs specifically for coaching up Golden and Williams during practices. If there were any concerns about what kind of teammate he had become, those should be erased.
Additionally, Doubs is just one of four Packers wide receivers ever with 100 receptions, 1,000 yards, and 10 touchdowns through their first two seasons. Jayden Reed became the fourth to do it in 2024. Sterling Sharpe and James Lofton, both Hall of Famers, were the first two.
And then there is the fact that, since Jordan Love became the starting quarterback, Doubs has been one of his favorite targets. He had 72 last year, which was third on the team. But remember, he played in only 13 games. Wicks (76) and Reed (75), who were ahead of him, played all 17.
To be sure, Doubs needs to have a really good season to warrant a second contract from the Packers. But to say that he is in danger of losing his job, at this point, would not be accurate.
