As Packer fans look forward to the coming season, many observers have pointed out that Green Bay does not seem to have a true number one receiver. That instead there is a large, talented group of pass catchers who excel at different facets of the position. Furthermore, some suggest the lack of a number one is actually beneficial, in that defenses can’t key on any individual. That Jordan Love will be better off just spreading the ball around equally.
I don’t buy it. Five of the top six quarterbacks in passing yardage in 2023 had true number one receivers. Tua Tagovailoa had Tyreek Hill. Jared Goff had Amon Ra St. Brown. Dak Prescott had CeeDee Lamb. Josh Allen had Stefon Diggs. And Patrick Mahomes had Travis Kelce. Only Brock Purdy, who finished fifth in total passing yards, didn’t have an obvious go-to target. And that’s only because he has a wide selection of number one-caliber targets in Deebo Samuel, Brand Aiyuk, George Kittle and Christian McCaffery.
The Packers will be better off if one player from their talented stable of pass catchers emerges as a star. Someone who demands double teaming from the defense on every play, who tilts the coverage to one side of the field. Someone defensive coordinators have to game plan to stop. Such a player would lift the entire offense, both rushing and receiving.
Green Bay has at least four receivers who could develop into this kind of threat. I nominate Romeo Doubs. He has all the tools to be a number one. In fact, there is an argument to be made that he already is. At least in clutch situations.
He led the team in overall targets with 96, two more than Jayden Reed. He tied Reed for the most touchdown receptions with eight. He was the clear leader in catches that resulted in a first down with 41, nine more than the nearest teammate. He is durable, being the only receiver to play in all seventeen regular season games in 2023.
In some of the Packers’ key victories last fall, it was Doubs who always seemed to come up with the big catch when the team absolutely had to have it. In week three against the Saints, the Packers had a third and goal at the New Orleans eight yard line with just under three minutes to play, trailing 17-11. It was Doubs who came up with the clutch catch with a toe tap in the end zone for a score that gave Green Bay an 18-17 win, completing an incredible comeback from a 17-0 deficit.
Against the Chargers the Pack was trailing 20-16 with 2:36 left to play. From the opponents’ 24 yard line, Love threw a rainbow into the end zone. The ball was slightly underthrown but Doubs made a spectacular catch, lurching backwards into the air, and snatching the ball with his fingertips away from the trailing defender for the winning touchdown.
In week sixteen, the game was unraveling on the Packers as the lowly Carolina Panthers had rallied in the fourth quarter to tie the game. With all the momentum going against them, Green Bay found themselves faced with third and four at their own 31 with 2:39 left on the clock. Desperately needing to convert, Love looped a pass down the left sideline to Doubs, who made a leaping catch for a 36 yard gain, setting up what would prove to be the winning field goal. I could go on.
I watched a 2023 season highlight reel of Doubs recently. It was obvious that, when Love needed a critical catch, the receiver he had confidence in was number 87. Doubs was “the guy.” The way Davante Adams was “the guy”. The way Jordy Nelson was once “the guy”, or Greg Jennings. Or Donald Driver.
Matt LaFleur says Doubs has attacked OTAs and minicamp with a noticeable passion. “I think Rome’s had an outstanding spring. It’s evident by the work he puts in on a daily basis. He’s in there in the morning catching balls off the jugs. He’s the last guy out of the building. He’s very deliberate about the work he puts in.” The Packers head coach went so far as to say Doubs was one of the standout players in all of spring workouts. “He’s had a lot of great moments. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of a bad day that he’s had out there. He is definitely improving.”
The former University of Nevada star is soft spoken and seldom brags about himself. Asked about becoming the number one receiver, Doubs said modestly “that’s not for me to say. It’s up to the game plan for the opponent.”
Most observers expect the Green Bay receiving game plan to be “by committee” again this year. But don’t be surprised if somebody does emerge as a true number one. Romeo Doubs has star potential. I wouldn’t bet against him.
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