The Green Bay Packers’ 2015 season is now in the past and we would probably be wise at this point to do as once said and “leave it right there.”
If you are a Packers fan, then you are well aware that the Packers’ receivers had a rough year. Except for James Jones, who wasn’t a Packer when the preseason started, every Packers’ receiver either got injured, underperformed or remained a mystery last season.
Obviously, if you are a member of the Packers’ organization, the last thing you want to do is end up in the same situation in 2016. That would suggest changes at the position. However, whether it is counterintuitive or insane, it remains unlikely that the Packers will make any significant changes at the position and here is why.
The Packers have around $21 million a season tied up in Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. Not only does that guarantee Nelson and Cobb are your normal starters, but it also prohibits you from spending much beyond the minimum contract for anyone else.
So, if you are one of those morons clamoring on the local radio for the Packers to coax Megatron out of retirement, shut up and get a clue.
Megatron isn’t coming off the beach for less than $5 million a season and the Packers flat out can’t afford to sink that kind of money into a third receiver.
Well, how about the draft?
Ted Thompson has already spent four draft picks in the last two seasons on receivers, including high picks on Davante Adams (2nd round, 2014) and Ty Montgomery (3rd round, 2015).
Sure, I can see Ted spending a late pick on a receiver because Ted passing up an attractive receiver in the latter rounds would be like Tiger Woods passing up an attractive waitress. That’s just what that guy does.
Another high pick isn’t going towards the receiver position though, which means no immediate help from the draft.
The fact remains that with Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Montgomery, Jared Abredderis and Jeff Janis, the Packers already have their receiving corps for 2016 and that is assuming James Jones’ bad luck continues.
Jones might be the first receiver in history to lead two different teams in receiving for a season only to be cut by one (Raiders) and not re-signed by the other (Packers).
This means either the Packers will assume that the many misfortunes of 2015 cannot repeat themselves or they will look to the tight end or running back position to add a difference maker.
A tight end or running back out of the backfield who can beat one-on-one coverage would make it very difficult for defenses to repeat the tactics they used in 2015.
May I suggest finding both?