A No. 1 receiver is something that every team covets.

The Steelers have Antonio Brown, the Falcons have Julio Jones and the Giants have Odell Beckham.

Two years ago, the Packers realized how much they missed their No. 1 wide receiver when Jordy Nelson was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the preseason. Randall Cobb tried to fill in as that guy since he was next in line, but it became apparent that he’s just a complementary piece.

With Nelson being 32 years old, the Packers have to start thinking about who that next No. 1 might be. And if age isn’t enough of a factor, Nelson is a free agent in 2019. It will be hard to imagine the Packers expecting Nelson to remain the team’s top wideout at the age of 34.

Davante Adams has been ripping up training up. As he enters his fourth year, which happens to be a contract year, he is on the doorstep of blossoming. Last year, Adams had 20 percent of the Packers’ targets, which put him second to Nelson’s 25. Adams was 10th among wide receivers in yards after the catch with 389 — one yard more than the Jones that I mentioned above.

Adams has speed, has worked on his route running but his hands need polishing as he had five drops last year. He isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to make the catch and has shown an ability to get off the line of scrimmage.

With Nelson transitioning to more of a slot role, which will make Cobb’s job useless, Adams could fill Nelson’s old role of getting down field and stretching defenses.

Adams could be the Packers’ No. 1 wideout. It seems odd because two years ago he looked confused and Green Bay was wondering what they had from their Fresno State product that set career records for receptions and touchdowns in only two seasons.

In the next two years, Green Bay’s receiving corps will look much different. Will upstart Michael Clark have a significant role? Will the Packers land a gem in the next two drafts?

This is Adams’ year to prove two things. First of all, he needs to prove that he deserves a contract. And after what he has shown so far in camp, I think it’s safe to say that he deserves a contract. Secondly he has to prove his role. This is the season that Adams can show that he is in fact a top threat.

And with coach Mike McCarthy opting to use plenty of dual tight end sets, Adams will have plenty of space to operate.

Adams has all the physical tools. Now it’s up to how he prepares and processes.

Because it’s what’s above the neck that separates the No. 1’s.


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CheeseheadTV wrote:

Let's face it, Davante needs to prove it this year. He rebounded well from the previous year, showed what he could do. But now he has to be THE MAN. That's not Jordy anymore

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

NO! Jordy had a rough first 6 games back from ACL injury and then he shown he's still the man!
I don't know what you got against Jordy, but it's not his skills on the field last year, that's for sure!
And we've already been over this in greater detail...


Nelson is a lock period.

Nelson was coming back from ACL injury, had limited to no preseason games and had a slow start to the season. BUT in Nelson's last 10 regular seasons games, he averaged 7 catches, 93.6 yards and 0.9 touchdowns per game.

Over 16 games that average would be 112 catches, 1497.6 yards and 14.4 touchdown... which comes pretty dang close to Nelson's career best of 98 catches (2014), 1,519 yards (2014) and 15 touchdowns (2011).

And remember how lots of people were asking what's wrong with Rodgers last year and what's wrong with Rodgers at the start of the season? ... just happens to be the same period of time that Nelson wasn't playing at 100%.

Originally Posted by: beast