2020 Wide Receivers

[run pMc]

I have news for Flower Power offense fans. The Packers pass game is still more potent AND has more potential to be improved.

There is not much room left at the top end for the running game. Top 3 or 4 last two years (DVOA).

If there was ever a chance with Rodgers that defenses would shift attention to the run game, this year will be it. But I bet it still doesn't happen.

I read somewhere that Rodgers actually attempted a lot of deep throws, he just wasn't very effective with them...so I agree the pass game has more potential to be improved. I think most would agree with that, and explains the frustration at no WRs drafted because adding talent implies (but does not itself guarantee) improving the pass game. Rodgers could rediscover his accuracy, the young WRs could improve, the TEs could emerge ... those are all ways it can improve.

Before last year I would have said Jamaal Williams might be the best receiving RB, but Jones has overtaken him. Ervin might show something, and Dillon was reportedly underused. I do think the run game will be better with the additions of Dillon and Deguara (APRH) and the subtraction of Jimmy Graham...I'm not sure if it will necessarily show significantly in the numbers.

[Zool]

I want to say Jones is best receiving back, but I can't get that image out of my head from last year where he took that deep ball to the face mask as he fell down in the end zone.

[RashanGary]

I have news for Flower Power offense fans. The Packers pass game is still more potent AND has more potential to be improved.

There is not much room left at the top end for the running game. Top 3 or 4 last two years (DVOA).

If there was ever a chance with Rodgers that defenses would shift attention to the run game, this year will be it. But I bet it still doesn't happen.

Run more often and keep that same DVOA, and teams gonna have no choice but to overcommit. You'll see a passing dvoa in the top 3 if they can run just as well, more often

[smuggler]

Not sure that running more often can result in that DVOA. Last year definitely felt like the running game taking advantage of the defense being out to stop the pass. If you run more frequently, they'll be forced into more run defense. Should help the passing attack, though.

[RashanGary]

Not sure that running more often can result in that DVOA. Last year definitely felt like the running game taking advantage of the defense being out to stop the pass. If you run more frequently, they'll be forced into more run defense. Should help the passing attack, though.

Agree. They ran well when they ran, but not quite often enough to really open things up for AR.

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon and Jamaal Williams, plus Sternberger and Deguara (skilled run blockers in place of Graham) should make it possible to run more often and be good at it.

I'm very curious to see how they piece it together this year.

[pbmax]

Agree. They ran well when they ran, but not quite often enough to really open things up for AR.

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon and Jamaal Williams, plus Sternberger and Deguara (skilled run blockers in place of Graham) should make it possible to run more often and be good at it.

I'm very curious to see how they piece it together this year.

If Jones 18 TDs and long runs don't open a defense, then defenses are not going to open up.

Team needs better production out of the WR. Rodgers could play better, but WR have the most room for improvement.

[sharpe1027]

Team needs better production out of the WR. Rodgers could play better, but WR have the most room for improvement.

I tend to agree, but having a fairly low completion percentage coupled with league low interceptions suggests a very conservative approach by Rodgers.

[pbmax]

I tend to agree, but having a fairly low completion percentage coupled with league low interceptions suggests a very conservative approach by Rodgers.

Perhaps. But I am more worried about lack of deep completions. And that I place more on the WR. Rodgers has not been at his best dp, but when receivers are good, they make the QB look better than he is.

There was a Russell Wilson highlight reel that NFL.com was running on Twitter. It was a lot of big completions that featured a LOT of tough adjustments and catches by his receivers. Except for MVS versus the Raiders, Packers simply have not had that.

[sharpe1027]

Perhaps. But I am more worried about lack of deep completions. And that I place more on the WR. Rodgers has not been at his best dp, but when receivers are good, they make the QB look better than he is.

There was a Russell Wilson highlight reel that NFL.com was running on Twitter. It was a lot of big completions that featured a LOT of tough adjustments and catches by his receivers. Except for MVS versus the Raiders, Packers simply have not had that.

Some analysis trying to tease out QB vs WR credit for deep throws puts Wilson in the top. Rodgers didn't make the top list, but he did throw a ton down field.
https://sportsinfosolutionsblog.com/...asses-in-2019/

[run pMc]

Russell Wilson is an excellent deep thrower...right now I think he's more accurate at deep throws than Rodgers.
Agree WRs and play calling have most room for improvement. I think MLF will continue to refine/revamp the calls -- there were several games where the scripted stuff worked great but the offense sputtered after that.

[pbmax]

Russell Wilson is an excellent deep thrower...right now I think he's more accurate at deep throws than Rodgers.
Agree WRs and play calling have most room for improvement. I think MLF will continue to refine/revamp the calls -- there were several games where the scripted stuff worked great but the offense sputtered after that.

Same as the last year with McCarthy. Weird because Rodgers wanted it so it just can't be coach versus QB.

[RashanGary]

PFF Packers just posted on Twitter that MVS was targeted 38 times over 20 yards down field. 1 career drop in deep throws.

One trick pony. Good trick. But one trick pony. He's a spot player in long field situations. In the mold of a KGB on defense.

I don't see him ever being a guy you want in the redzone or a guy you want on 3rd and 6 because he doesn't move the chains. He stretches the field and that's about it.

[RashanGary]

Play Funchess a little more when you just need a first down or in the redzone. Play MVS a little more when you want to stretch the field or in matchups where the defense doesn't have the speed to match

[HarveyWallbangers]

PFF Packers just posted on Twitter that MVS was targeted 38 times over 20 yards down field. 1 career drop in deep throws.

How many catches in those situations? Does it count plays where he makes terrible adustments on the ball and doesn't even get his hands on it. His ball skills are terrible. If there is a defender close to him, he rarely comes down with the ball. Perhaps contested catches aren't classified as drops. No statistic is going to make me think he does a good job on deep balls. He can catch the ball thrown to him when he's open, and he does have more than enough speed to take it to the house.

My guess is that Adams, Lazard, Funchess, and probably ESB all play more snaps than MVS this year.

[RashanGary]

How many catches in those situations? Does it count plays where he makes terrible adustments on the ball and doesn't even get his hands on it. His ball skills are terrible. If there is a defender close to him, he rarely comes down with the ball. Perhaps contested catches aren't classified as drops. No statistic is going to make me think he does a good job on deep balls. He can catch the ball thrown to him when he's open, and he does have more than enough speed to take it to the house.

My guess is that Adams, Lazard, Funchess, and probably ESB all play more snaps than MVS this year.

I agree on shorter and intermediate routes. Weirdly though, down field, for whatever reason, my observation is he's always done that well.

It's like James Jones has great ball skills except for over the shoulder stuff. Except the opposite for MVS.

I see what you're saying about traffic and contested stuff. But I'm standing on my one trick pony observation here