Heading into training camps, my expectation is that Geronimo Allison will emerge as the 2nd-best pass catcher on a Green Bay roster that’s overcrowded with wide receivers. And I’m feeling even stronger about that opinion after reading an article posted at the team’s website.
Davante Adams will be their No. 1 option, and he talks as if Allison will be a big factor.
“He’s the guy who’s been working a lot in the slot, and he’s used to playing a little more outside, but this is making him a little more dynamic,” Adams said. “I think Matt has really tested him or challenged him to widen it out so he can play multiple spots. … Him being able to move around right now and be healthy, be himself and just play, being able to have all those things, it’s going to be dangerous.”
Allison got off to a strong start last year. After his first four starts, he was on pace for 76 catches, 1,156 yards and 8 TDs. But then he was sidelined by a concussion and hamstring injuries, and he spent the second half of the season on injured reserve after a surgery on his core muscle.
The Packers have other wide receivers who are contending for roles, including Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown and Jake Kumerow. There was even an article a few weeks back suggesting Trevor Davis might be ready to take on more of a role. But Allison looks like a more promising option.
The ADP data suggests Allison currently is going about 38th among wide receivers. I think that’s a round or two too slow. Definitely a guy I’ll be considering.
Among wide receivers with at least 30 targets last year, only 16 averaged over 10 yards per pass play. Allison was one of those guys. His role will be different this year (playing more often in the slot, he should catch more shorter passes) but looks like a nice player.
| WIDE RECEIVERS AVERAGING 9 YARDS PER TARGET | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Tgt | Rec | Yards | TD | Yd/Tgt |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 70 | 57 | 965 | 10 | 13.8 |
| Robert Foster, Buff. | 44 | 27 | 541 | 3 | 12.3 |
| Will Fuller, Hou. | 45 | 32 | 503 | 4 | 11.2 |
| Albert Wilson, Mia. | 35 | 26 | 391 | 4 | 11.2 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 138 | 86 | 1,524 | 8 | 11.0 |
| Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 137 | 87 | 1,479 | 12 | 10.8 |
| Rashard Higgins, Clev. | 53 | 39 | 572 | 4 | 10.8 |
| T.Y. Hilton, Ind. | 120 | 76 | 1,270 | 6 | 10.6 |
| DeSean Jackson, T.B. | 74 | 41 | 774 | 4 | 10.5 |
| Josh Gordon, Cle.-N.E. | 71 | 41 | 737 | 4 | 10.4 |
| Dante Pettis, S.F. | 45 | 27 | 467 | 5 | 10.4 |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 55 | 40 | 566 | 6 | 10.3 |
| Brandin Cooks, LAR | 117 | 80 | 1,204 | 5 | 10.3 |
| Geronimo Allison, G.B. | 30 | 20 | 303 | 2 | 10.1 |
| Mike Williams, LAC | 66 | 43 | 664 | 10 | 10.1 |
| Tyrell Williams, LAC | 65 | 41 | 653 | 5 | 10.0 |
| Julio Jones, Atl. | 170 | 113 | 1,677 | 8 | 9.9 |
| TreQuan Smith, N.O. | 44 | 28 | 427 | 5 | 9.7 |
| Chris Hogan, N.E. | 55 | 35 | 532 | 3 | 9.7 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 163 | 115 | 1,572 | 11 | 9.6 |
| DJ Moore, Car. | 82 | 55 | 788 | 2 | 9.6 |
| Michael Thomas, N.O. | 147 | 125 | 1,405 | 9 | 9.6 |
| Tyler Boyd, Cin. | 108 | 76 | 1,028 | 7 | 9.5 |
| Sammy Watkins, K.C. | 55 | 40 | 519 | 3 | 9.4 |
| Amari Cooper, Oak.-Dal. | 107 | 75 | 1,005 | 7 | 9.4 |
| Robert Woods, LAR | 130 | 86 | 1,219 | 6 | 9.4 |
| Marquise Goodwin, S.F. | 43 | 23 | 395 | 4 | 9.2 |
| Alshon Jeffery, Phil. | 92 | 65 | 843 | 6 | 9.2 |
| Equanimeous St. Brown, G.B. | 36 | 21 | 328 | 0 | 9.1 |
| A.J. Green, Cin. | 77 | 46 | 694 | 6 | 9.0 |
| Adam Thielen, Min. | 153 | 113 | 1,373 | 9 | 9.0 |
—Ian Allan