Devin Funchess opting out makes Packers look even worse for not drafting a wideout
By Nick Villano
The Green Bay Packers are down another threat after Devin Funchess opted out.
The Green Bay Packers were chastised this offseason when they opted to skip the wide receiver position in this year’s NFL Draft. Now, the team can’t always spend draft capital at that position, but there are two factors why this season they probably should have. One, their quarterback Aaron Rodgers was reportedly asking for more weapons, and two, this was one of the deepest wide receiver drafts we’ve seen in a long time.
The Packers spent zero draft picks on wide receivers, and instead took a chance on former Michigan Wolverines star Devin Funchess. On Tuesday, Funchess opted out of the NFL season due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
This is something the Packers likely didn’t see coming back in April, but Green Bay should have figured out depth would be as important this season as ever. Not only did they skip receiver entirely in the draft, but they instead drafted Rodgers replacement in Jordan Love in the first round.
Aaron Rodgers is down another weapon in Devin Funchess
Funchess was never going to be the team’s top wide receiver, as they still have Davante Adams holding down that role, but he provided important depth that’s just not there anymore. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard are going to need to step up to fill the absence of other receivers. They both showed flashes last season, but they finished the year with 500 yards each.
If any of those three players get hurt, opt out, or get sick, then things get extremely bleak in Green Bay. Jake Kumerow would probably be the next guy up. He has 200 yards in his career so far. Equanimeous St. Brown is another option, but he only has just over 300 career yards.
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The Packers put too much faith in Funchess to give them the depth they needed. Even taking some of the back-of-the-draft talent would put them in a much better position. Now, they will rely on Rodgers maybe more than ever in a season where they showed he’s not long for this franchise.