With two back-to-back games without any catches, the last reception for Marquez Valdes-Scantling was in week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs in which he had a single reception for 4-yards. MVS was drafted by the Packers in the 5th round of the 2018 NFL Draft and currently has a 4-year contract with the Green Bay Packers worth ~$2.7m — so while the Packers are not heavily invested in the guy, his future with the team is dimmer than ever as his snap count opportunities are rapidly dwindling.
Here is the breakdown of snap percentages for Packers’ wide receivers in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Chargers:
Davante Adams 83%
Allen Lazard 46%
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 69%
Geronimo Allison 65%
Jake Kumerow 24%
Here is the breakdown of snap percentages for Packers’ wide receivers in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers:
Davante Adams 79%
Geronimo Allison 62%
Allen Lazard 44%
Jake Kumerow 34%
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 16%
Despite lining up for 69% of offensive snaps against the Chargers, MVS managed a whopping 0 receptions for, you guessed it, 0 yards. He was only targeted twice that game with Davante Adams targeted 11 times and Allen Lazard targeted the second-most at 4 times.
Here is a breakdown of the top WRs and their catch percentage so far this season:
Davante Adams 68.4%
Allen Lazard 75%
Geronimo Allison 62.2%
Jake Kumerow 62.5%
Marquez Valdes-Scantling 52.4%
While there was some talk last season about his ability to create matchup problems for defenses, this just has not been the case this season. One thing is becoming more and more certain: Aaron Rodgers just doesn’t trust the guy as much as his other receivers and it is hard to blame him. Even in the absence of WR1 Davante Adams due to injury, Rodgers barely targeted MVS at all and he certainly does not now that Adams is back on the field in full form.
Things were looking up for MVS after the week 7 game against the Oakland Raiders in which he only had 2 receptions but a total of 133-yards and a TD because of a 74-yard reception in the 4th quarter. However, it is important to note that this catch came late in the game after the Packers had a very safe lead over the Raiders.
At this point, Allen Lazard has passed MVS on the Packers depth chart at WR3. Even the most hardcore Packer fan should not be holding onto this guy on their fantasy team. It also seems that having Jake Kumerow at WR2 is more of a seniority thing than being based on actual performance as Lazard is proving to be the true WR2 at the moment. Despite Lazard’s ability and entertaining catches, he really shouldn’t be this high up in the depth chart right now — the front office obviously has some work to do on this in the upcoming offseason.
Thankfully, Rodgers also has superstar RB Aaron Jones as a reliable target, but as the playoffs draw closer, the need to keep Jones healthy and not over-utilized is stronger than ever. Within the division, the Minnesota Vikings are currently burning their top RB, Dalvin Cook, at both ends and that is likely to burn them in the end.
“With two back-to-back games without any catches” 4 games without a catch? Really?
You may be failing to take into consideration the health of MVS. Look at the passing highlights of the year so far, and you will see MVS is featured on several of them.
I do not have the luxury of viewing his health exam data.
Don’t make the website owner angry!!
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JK :)
No worries, I expected some whining.
Then…maybe don’t write such a scathing article without having more facts. Even the casual Packers fan has heard of his injuries. Jeesh.
We’re all aware of his injuries but neither of us truly know the details. You’re just making excuses for him.
“You’re just making excuses for him…” I’ve actually said nothing one way or the other about him, only that he is injured, which has been stated multiple times by the team and coach. All I was saying is don’t make such damning statements like,”…his future with the team is dimmer than ever…” with such limited facts as you yourself state, “…I do not have the luxury of viewing his health exam data…” and …We’re all aware of his injuries but neither of us truly know the details…”. Yes, his numbers are down but what does that really mean. Let’s not forget that even Jordy Nelson did not really become the Jordy Nelson we all came to love until his 4th year. look at his stats http://www.nfl.com/player/jordynelson/1032/careerstats Give MVS time. Its all good man but please don’t put words in my mouth.
His catch rate sucks and that’s partly a product of most of his attempts are 15 yards plus downfield. His YPC average is 19 yards. Obviously the closer the receiver is, the higher the catch rate.
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With that said, we’ve talked about his inability to be a strong route runner as per his scouting reports. Now…tell me the Packers didn’t know that when they drafted him. Of course they knew that. We also know that if you can’t run strong routes you will not see the ball much in Green Bay, or any other team in the NFL.
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Unless…..that’s not why they drafted you. Maybe he was drafted to be a deep threat, take the top off. He’s proven he can be that guy, but you have to implement him in the offense or the defense won’t prioritize it as a threat.
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The Chargers game that J P mentions, was a dink and dunk affair. Out of 22 pass receptions that game, the longest was 17 yards, that’s under MVS’s average per catch. Jimmy G had 4 catches with an average of 4.3 YPC and a long of 7 yards. Green Bay won’t win many games with numbers like those. The pass rush was relentless and the Chargers mainly rushed only 4. MVS isn’t going to play a role with Rodgers needing to unload the ball quick so it isn’t a surprise MVS wasn’t involved..
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I hope they keep MVS, and utilize his strengths, the reasons they drafted him. That may not happen until this offense gets a handle and runs smoother. Still too much miscommunication. This should be much better than it is by now, i look at other teams offense and see quick, smooth play calling with plenty of play clock left.
BP-257
As usual from this site some of the most unfounded stuff I`ve ever read. MVS has been playing hurt. Guys with speed like him have maybe more difficulties getting open when they are hurt. They depend on their speed a bit more than route running. He is going to be fine once he`s healthier. Also. there is the new offense. His future is dim?! I totally disagree. He`s only in his second season!
Grain of salt….There have been plenty of articles against and (FOR) receivers here. Davante Adams comes to mind. Writers here were calling for Adams to be let go. There are plenty of (UGLY) articles that contain anger that Adams got to many chances, he should be cut……Personally, i remember posting that the Packers must see something in Adams that keeps him around, and since we aren’t there, we have to have some faith in their judgement. As it turns out, my guess is he got so many chances because he had ability to run precise routes.
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On the flip side…..A receiver named Jeff Janis had articles written about him where you would have thought he was the 2nd coming of Jesus. (See Julio Jones). Janis caught a hail Mary, and a few other catches to gain his fame here at totalpackers.com. He did catch 17 of 37 targets (46%) in 4 seasons. The Packers tried making him a special teams weapon, but bad decisions got him fired from returning kicks, but he did have some success as a gunner. but that isn’t enough to hold a job in the NFL. Bottom line….he couldn’t run a pass route to save his life.
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All this Jeff Janis talk reminds me…i need new tires for my truck.
That’s what makes sites like this so great. We’re just fans speaking our minds. I do not claim to be a journalist or anything like that.
If I were in a meeting with Packers front office and I used this logic to suggest the dismissal of MVS then I would deserve to be laughed out of the room.
We all know the good stuff on sites like this are almost always in the comments section anyway…
You’re welcome.
Indeed! Thank you for preserving the format that made this site great to begin with.
Happy to help. So, what are we talkin here…..T-shirt, trophy, commission, salary with per diem and expense account with Company vehicle?
I’m not expecting the generosity of Russ Ball. But maybe a notch or two above “just” compensation could be something i could live with.
Hello?
I agree that MVS needs to get better, but Aaron has also been underthrowing him all year.
People were calling for Davante Adams to get cut his second season. It takes time to develop. However, the Packers surely are aware he may not become a game changing receiver, and will look for a true number 2 receiver in the offseason.
IDK….if almost 1,400 yards and 13 TD’s isn’t a game changing receiver, maybe i do have a drinking problem after all..
I remember that here. Thankfully the Packers stuck with him. Hate to think where the Packers would be without him
Me = Mason Rudolph
These comments = Myles Garrett
Lol….well, just like Rudolph, you started it! :)
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All in good humor my man, you’re doing a nice job here, and that’s straight up.
Lol
I thought MVS was a bodybuilder, if so, when he gets his game on, he’ll likely be breaking tackles and hurting people in the secondary. He’ll be doing some great blocking too, so there’s no reason to think he’s washed up just yet. We most certainly can’t let him go, as the Vikings or some other needy team like them, will sign him the next day. I certainly don’t want to spoil such a great surprise, but when the playoffs start, the Packers will unleash the superpower of MVS, and all of this blat that you have read here, will become so very meaningless. MVS is simply a great secret weapon, that the Packers have hidden in their deadly arsenal. The best is yet to come, Go Pack !
The number of deep threats who actually become great route runners is very sparse. Look at the NFL and try to name speed merchants who really run nice routes. I am thinking Tyreke Hill speed, elusiveness and route running. Even Davante Adams has some minor holes in his complete game. Adams is fast but he is not Bob Hayes (you young guys will have to look him up)
I thought MVS was on the right track when he worked this off-season with Randy Moss. But, it now appears that MVS has returned to being a one-trick pony. In today’s game, defenses are looking for anyway they can pressure the quarterback. MVS seldom responds to that pressure. He doesn’t cut off his route when Rodgers is in trouble. On under-thrown passes he doesn’t pull up and circle back. He just runs like a chicken with his head cut off.
I think it is also important to point out that both Lazard and Kumerow are better downfield blockers than MVS. With the Packers establishing the run with a higher degree of efficiency MVS must learn to block down field and often seal the back side of pursuit. In my opinion, an opinion that may be shared by Packer’s coaches, MVS shies away from contact. He doesn’t block and many of his drops are from hearing the footsteps behind him. I think if you read between the lines of the statement made by Alvis Whitted you can hear his frustration with MVS. Whitted acknowledged that MVS was playing hurt but he also stated that MVS had to learn to play hurt to be successful. Note that Whitted said this three times regarding MVS.
Finally, it should be noted that this season mirrors MVS in 2018. He started fast, had a slow period where ESB took his position, and returned near the end of the season to play less than adequate. It is apparent that MVS has made very little progress over 2018. Now he is headed to be the fifth wide receiver behind Adams, Allison, Lazard, Kumerow. I think many of the national sports writers fell in love with the name MVS. Being invited to syndicated sports shows had to pump some hot air into his head. A fifth round draft pick with a head full of helium will need a “come to Jesus moment” before he realizes things too late.
In this case Jesus is Aaron Rodgers and lack of targets may be Aaron’s way of pricking MVS’s head to let out some of the helium. MVS has a long way to go to be a number two receiver. Jason Parker may be closer to MVS reality than many posters realize.
The Packers need to take a receiver high in next year’s draft, that much is obvious
Problem is, I personally don’t see many receivers worth being taken early.
I hear ya, the need is there and it has been there for a while. I hate to admit this but I actually checked some 2020 draft predictions (I know, I know, it is BS). One of them has 7 wide receivers going in Rd 1 and 3 are from Alabama. Yeah, okay. Sometimes who you are playing with can elevate the hype and status. Would three Bama receivers be projected 1st rounders without Tua throwing at them? Hey, just look at how playing with Rashan Gary made Chase Winovich look so good. Oh wait, that example didn’t work. Never mind.
Anyway, with 9 picks in the draft and free agency to fill some needs I too would expect at least a round 2-3 wide receiver if a high quality one presents in that range.
This is one of many reasons I like LaFleur. Every week players are required to earn the snaps they receive in the game. If you can’t produce because you are hurt, or you are not producing for other reasons, your game snap counts will be reduced, with another teammate receiving some of your snaps.
I believe MVS will see his snap counts increase if he proves he deserves them. MVS may not be producing because of injury. It doesn’t matter to LaFleur, whomever is producing and showing up in practice is going to receive more snaps game to game, and as each game progresses.
I have seen a few deep passes that MVS has stopped or slowed down when Rodgers has thrown deep. It appeared that no defender was over the top of MVS, so MVS probably should have kept going deep. QB#1’s reactions to those incompletions indicated Rodgers thought MVS should have not cut off the deep route. I think MVS besides having an injury issue that probably will be healed by the 49er game, has a problem reading the defense and making the correct choice on routes.
LaFleur this last week indicated that the coaches and play caller needed to do a better job putting MVS in position or plays that fit MVS’s strength. I’m fairly confident LaFleur with the bye week will make some good adjustments for the team, and MVS.
I think that Kumaro is better receiver with soft hands, speed height and tackling abilities. Just given the opportunity I know he’ll shine. Rogers knows that and so do the fans.