Jordan Love may have hinted at which Packers receiver will be the WR1

July 16, 2024

It’s a never-ending debate. Do the Green Bay Packers need a true WR1?

What fans mean by this is a superstar like Davante Adams or Jordy Nelson, a receiver who dominates the team’s passing and receiving yards. A player the quarterback trusts and relies on in crucial moments.

Last season, the Packers didn’t have that. With a young, talented and strong receiver corps, Green Bay distributed the ball to its up-and-coming playmakers. The team contributed across the board, with three receivers recording at least 500 receiving yards. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Christian Watson combined for 2,470 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Some felt that the Packers needed to find a “real WR1” this offseason, while others believed that player was already on the roster.

Jordan Love may have hinted at which receiver could take on the lead role this season.

The more opportunities Wicks got in his rookie season, the better he looked. In a fan Q&A for Bleacher Report, Love was asked which player will have a breakout season this year.

He chose Wicks.

“I think there are a lot of guys on our team that came on the scene last year that might have surprised some people,” Love said. “I think Dontayvion Wicks is going to have a monster year. I think he was able to do a lot of phenomenal things last year. I think the sky’s the limit for him.”

“The more reps he gets, the more comfortable he feels with the system and his fast game.”

He added that Wicks and Jayden Reed will “take the league by storm”.

If any of the Packers’ young receivers has what it takes to be a “true WR1” who dominates targets, it’s Wicks.

Love isn’t the first to publicly praise him. NFL analysts and pundits are quick to recognize how well he played last season. Wicks showed superstar potential in his first year, from his release, route running and ability to get free to his yards-after-catch and big-play skills.

Wicks’ speed coach Les Spellman said the second-year receiver is a player “nobody knows yet” who is “about to take over.” Meanwhile, Pro Football Focus called Wicks the Packers’ “secret superstar.”

Love builds an unstoppable connection with Wicks on the field, as evidenced by a 20-yard touchdown in the wildcard win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Wicks has the potential to be the “true WR1” in the Packers’ offense, and Love expects big things from his second-year receiver.