4/132. Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada (3, 4): This wasn’t a stellar class of wide receivers — at the top, in the middle or at the end. Partially because the Packers were desperate and the pool at the position was shrinking fast, they decided to take a fourth-round flier on him.
Doubs (6-2, 204) has the size the Packers almost demand at the position and was one of the last able big men on the board. There were some interesting slots available at the time (Calvin Austin, Khalil Shakir, Kyle Philips), but the Packers might think they have that covered with Cobb and Rodgers.
It took until almost mid-April for Doubs to run for teams, and his 40 time of 4.53 was solid for his size and being the 19th wideout selected. He was a prolific producer for the Wolf Pack, a four-year starter with 225 receptions, a 14.8 average and 26 TDs.
His offseason, however, wasn’t good, starting with an uneven week at the Senior Bowl. Then, after being weighed and measured at the combine, he experienced what one scout labeled an “anxiety meltdown” and didn’t participate after the opening day. He didn’t work at pro day, either, before finally agreeing to work out for scouts. Several teams agreed that Doubs will require extra attention from his new employer in order to navigate pro football. One personnel man said Doubs was a good kid and worth the organizational commitment. Another said Doubs’ need for learning and life-skills development combined with the delayed testing led his team to move on.
Doubs was a punt returner all four years, bringing back 37 for a 12.5 average. The Packers prioritized finding a far more dynamic return man than Rodgers. Cornerback Marcus Jones of Houston was a prime target, but that opportunity vanished when he went seven slots before Rhyan.