LaFleur: Packers Need Speed and 'a Legit Guy' After Davante Adams, MVS Departures

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur doesn't deny that his team has a major need at wide receiver after key losses in the offseason.

"Certainly, if you look at our roster right now, we definitely need to get some speed in that room," LaFleur told reporters Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Florida. "We need a legit guy that can take off the top of the coverage. We lost a guy that was pretty good at doing that."

The Packers traded All-Pro wideout Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders before losing Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. 

It leaves Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb as the top returning options heading into 2022.

Lazard has had some positive stretches during his Packers career, with 14 receiving touchdowns over the last three years, but his 513 receiving yards in 2021 were a career high. Cobb last reached 1,000 yards in 2014 and finished with just 375 receiving yards last year.

Green Bay used a 2021 third-round pick on Amari Rodgers, but the Clemson product primary played on special teams and had just four catches in 16 games.

Even with reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers under center, the Packers offense could struggle without help at receiver.

The team does have two first-round draft picks—Nos. 22 and 28—which could be used to fill the void. 

The Packers haven't used a first-round pick on a receiver since Javon Walker in 2002. They have mostly had success targeting wideouts in the second round since then, however, adding Adams, Cobb, Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings.

There are also big names available in free agency, including Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Will Fuller and Julio Jones. No matter who is added, it won't be easy to replace Adams.

"To replace a guy like Davante Adams is gonna be kind of a multifaceted approach," general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday. "It won't be like a singular guy."