Jordan Love of the Packers is benefiting from the development of Green Bay’s young receivers.
Wisconsin When Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks started their rookie seasons in the NFL, their collegiate careers had been very unsuccessful. Bo Melton has labored on practice squads for most of the last two years.
While assisting the Green Bay Packers in making an improbable playoff run, the three of them have emerged as some of Jordan Love’s most dependable playmakers. The NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys (12-5) will host the Packers (9-8) on Sunday.
Love said, “They’re just trying to go out there and make the most of that—they’re taking advantage of the chance they received.” “And they’re doing well in it.”
The fact that Love is mostly starting rookies and second-year players while sidelining some of his best alternatives due to injury is one of the most amazing aspects of his first season as a starter.
For example, Christian Watson, a rookie last season, caught three touchdown passes in an overtime win against the Cowboys, but he missed Green Bay’s final five games due to a hamstring injury. Romeo Doubs did play in all 17 regular-season games for the Packers, but on Sunday, during their 17-9 win against Chicago, he was hospitalized due to a chest ailment. On Wednesday, both got in a little bit of practice.
The Packers will be depending on Reed, Wicks, and Melton to help fill in if they are unable to go. So far, they’ve performed rather well in that area.
Love was credited by these young receivers for easing the adjustment by getting to know each of them. They mentioned how, on a few Mondays this season, Love hosted dinners and team-building activities for the offensive players at his residence.
Melton said, “Jordan simply has a knack with every receiver.” “It is our responsibility as tight ends, running backs, and receivers to get open, and Jordan always places the ball exactly where it should be.”
However, the receivers have undoubtedly contributed as well.
In the previous year’s draft, Green Bay took Reed from Michigan State in the second round and Wicks from Virginia in the fifth round. At their individual schools, each of them had 1,000-yard seasons in 2021, but they didn’t do as well the next year.
However, these rookies’ new teammates saw right away that they had potential.
When their number was called, Watson said, “I believe we realized very early on that they were going to be able to create plays.”
Indeed, both have had outstanding rookie seasons.
At the end of the game, Reed led the Packers in all three categories with 64 catches for 793 yards and 10 touchdowns in all (8 receiving, 2 running). Wicks has caught 39 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns, including two in the Bears game.
“That’s my brother,” Reed remarked of Wicks. I hang out with him outside of this facility, so we have a friendship that allows us to challenge one another to improve. We give each other coaching when we’re not doing something properly.
The greatest surprise of all has been Melton.
The undrafted free agent from Rutgers was signed off the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad in December 2022. He remained on Green Bay’s practice squad for the majority of the season, but on January 1, he was ultimately promoted to the active roster after making five appearances. A score and 211 yards on 15 receptions have been his during Green Bay’s current three-game winning run.
“It couldn’t have happened better—from the practice squad to the playoffs,” Melton said. “Oh my God, definitely.”
Not everyone has been won over by Green Bay’s young receivers. Bears cornerback Jaquan Brisker wasn’t thrilled, even after Reed, Wicks, and Melton combined to catch 15 receptions for 235 yards in the win against Chicago that sealed a postseason spot.
After the game, Brisker said, “I feel like we could have tightened up on the receivers a lot more than we did today.” “We overindulged them in space. To be really honest, I don’t really respect them at all.
Perhaps they still don’t deserve Brisker’s regard. However, they undoubtedly assisted the Packers in securing a playoff berth.
They now want to support the NFL’s newest club in maintaining its success.
“The age actually isn’t a factor,” Wicks said. Every week, we go out and do our tasks. All that matters is readiness and who will do the best when it comes time to take the field.
