McGinn’s Grading the Packers...WR

Mark87

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Wide receivers (7)
Davante Adams (66.2 percent)

Led the team in receiving for a third straight season after assuming the No. 1 role from Jordy Nelson in 2017. Asked to do it all for a mediocre corps of receivers. Almost impossible to jam. Eats up press coverage with his fast feet. Dances away from tacklers on bubble screens. Has developed compatibility with Aaron Rodgers. Able to score any time and from anywhere on the field. Missed four games near midseason with turf toe. Before the injury, he hadn’t dropped a pass in 36 targets. After returning, he equaled his career-high in drops with 12 (out of 113 targets). His 8.1 percent drop rate was his highest since 2015 (12 of 96, 12.5 percent). His inconsistent hands were in direct contrast to 2018 when he dropped just three of 168 targets (1.8 percent). Played with hesitation for about a month after the injury, sometimes running out of bounds rather than selling out for the extra yard. Won’t turn 28 until late next season and shows no signs of slippage physically. Averaged 13.0 yards in 100 total receptions (4.74 after the catch). Very ordinary blocker. Grade: B

Geronimo Allison (57.4)


Second at the position in receptions with 37 but last in average yards per catch (8.3) and average yards after the catch (2.49), by far his career-low. A journeyman tough guy with length and some value on special teams. Took several blows in the first half of the season and didn’t appear as reckless down the stretch. Top-notch blocker. His 4.6 speed isn’t conducive to running vertical routes. The ease with which he plays both outside and slot positions should land him a job either as a re-signing in Green Bay or modestly-priced unrestricted free-agent elsewhere. Grade: D-plus

Ryan Grant (0.0)


Was on the street for three weeks after being cut by the Raiders on Sept. 25. Joined the Packers after the sixth game but was inactive for the final 12 games. The Colts signed Grant to a one-year, $5 million guaranteed contract in March 2018 as a second-tier free agent from Washington after his best season (45-573-12.7-4) of a six-year career. Average size (6-0 ½, 194), average athlete (35-inch vertical jump) and below-average speed (4.65). Crafty possession receiver struggles to release from bump coverage. Limited deep dimension and not much of a blocker. No role on special teams. There’s little reason to re-sign him as an unrestricted free agent. Grade: Incomplete

Jake Kumerow (31.3)


Another big, physical receiver in a receiving group that needs more speed. Led the team in average yards per catch (18.6) and average after the catch (7.39). Flashed big-play potential in limited opportunities. Dropped one of 23 targets after not dropping any of 10 targets a year ago. Hard-nosed style of play proved to be well-suited blocking for the run and covering kicks. Special-teams value will make him a hard guy to run off here or elsewhere. Grade: D-plus

Allen Lazard (46.2)


Possibly the most pleasant surprise on the roster. One week before the opener, the six-member group of wideouts on the 53-man roster included Darrius Shepherd and Trevor Davis but not Lazard, who was released Aug. 31. To the practice squad he went the next day, and on Sept. 4 to the roster. He played a total of six snaps in the first three games, and no more than 17 in any of the first six games. Given a chance because of injuries to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adams, Lazard gradually rose to overcome Geronimo Allison as the No. 2 by Game 14. Lazard (6-4 ½, 227) isn’t as big as Jermichael Finley but in some ways he provided what the Packers haven’t had since their tight end played his final game in October 2013. That is a big target that can get down the middle of the field. Lazard’s speed (4.57) isn’t bad at all for his size. He’s smart (25 on the Wonderlic intelligence test), athletic (38-inch vertical jump) and strong. Aaron Rodgers became a fan after seeing that Lazard would go anywhere to catch a ball. Lazard didn’t offer much after the catch (3.89), lacks wiggle and precision on his routes and was penalized too much (four). He also got after people as a blocker and on special teams. Whether Lazard’s future is at wide receiver or tight end, he has found a home. Grade: C-plus

Equanimeous St. Brown (0.0)


Suffered a high-ankle sprain Aug. 22 in the third exhibition game and spent the entire season on injured reserve. Thus, his second season consisted of 45 exhibition snaps and about 20 practices in training camp. When it comes to size (6-4 ½, 214), speed (4.47) and smarts (Wonderlic of 27), St. Brown has it all. He didn’t drop any of his 36 targets as a rookie and averaged a hefty 5.38 yards after the catch (21 receptions). He also showed a surprising willingness to block. He’s worthy of a long look in 2020. Grade: Incomplete

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (45.5)


The coaches became so frustrated with MVS’ imprecise route running and feel for reading coverage that by the playoffs they gave him a mere six snaps in the two games. After a dud of a second season, his career is at the crossroads. He’s more of a build-up speed guy than an instant accelerator. He struggles to get off press coverage, too. When given a free release, he will run by the vast majority of cornerbacks on straight-line, vertical routes into the middle of the field. Standing 6-4 and with a long stride, he’s choppy on the top of routes and isn’t fluid in and out of his cuts. His hands (two drops in 55 targets) are fine. Under Mike McCarthy, his unenthusiastic blocking wouldn’t have been that big of a problem. Under Matt LaFleur, it seems to be. The fact remains that MVS produced five receptions of 40 yards or more compared to Davante Adams’ four. Grade: D-plus
 
as usual, mcginn seems just a tad hypercritical with his grades. but i can't say he is wrong in his descriptive narrative. tis a sad state of affairs.
 
So outside of Adams and Lazard clean house per this report

no. he says it makes sense to keep kumerow ("Hard-nosed style of play proved to be well-suited blocking for the run and covering kicks. Special-teams value will make him a hard guy to run off here or elsewhere.") and esb also ("When it comes to size (6-4 ½, 214), speed (4.47) and smarts (Wonderlic of 27), St. Brown has it all. He didn’t drop any of his 36 targets as a rookie and averaged a hefty 5.38 yards after the catch (21 receptions). He also showed a surprising willingness to block. He’s worthy of a long look in 2020.").

and he also said this of mvs: "The fact remains that MVS produced five receptions of 40 yards or more compared to Davante Adams’ four."

this is why i say his "grades" don't necessarily match up with his narratives. imho, we should let gmo and grant go now. keep the others for next year's training camp and then decide who else goes.
 
Thing is Kumerow is not going to be much at WR. Is it better to find someone who might be worth as putting at the 5th WR and trying to develop then keeping Kumerow who will mainly be a ST player.
 
I long for days of old where there was a Jennings, Nelson, Driver and a Jones
Those are the days when Ted invested a high round pick at WR outside of DD
 
Plus a Cobb and a Finley.

You get what you put in. You stop investing day one-two picks in the offense, you stop getting dynamic play out of the offense.

I can't believe I forgot them. What a plethora of WR riches this team once had. It's kinda of shocking, imo, to look at the current state of that group. I'm not trying to be a negative nelly but that group needs upgrading, badly.
 
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