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Romeo Doubs

Rookie receiver impresses Aaron Rodgers

The Packers selected Christian Watson early in the second round, but Aaron Rodgers thus far has been more excited about a receiver they selected two rounds later. Romeo Doubs has caught his eye.

“Romeo Doubs has had a really nice start to the camp,” Rodgers said in an interview on NFL Network. “He’s been getting a lot of attention based on some of the plays he’s made. I like the approach. Very understated kid, very humble kid.”

Doubs averaged 6.9 catches for 106 yards his final two years at Nevada, with 20 TDs in 20 games. He’s 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, with large (10-inch) hands. He didn’t run at the combine, but media reports indicate he ran 4.5 at his pro day. He lasted until late in the fourth round.

“It’s surprising how many teams passed on him,” Rodgers said. “Whatever reason it was, we all feel really good about Romeo and the start he’s gotten off to.”

For fantasy purposes, I’m still ranking Allen Lazard and Watson (who’s a physical freak) higher. But some sense in using a later-round pick on Doubs. Some chance he’s a viable player. The Packers also have veterans Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb, but I think I’ve seen enough of them – I don’t think either has a decent season left in the tank.

If Doubs ends up being a credible pro, he’ll join a small set of receivers who’ve been good despite not even being the first wide receiver selected by the team that drafted them. In the 32-team era, only two such wide receivers have finished with top-50 PPR numbers as rookies (Anquan Boldin and Tyreek Hill – and it’s wildly optimistic to hope for Doubs to be anything close to either of those guys).

Since 2002, only 12 receivers who were the second wide receivers picked by their teams have finished with top-80 numbers in their first season.

RECEIVERS PICKED SECOND BY OWN TEAM (rookie yr)
YearPlayerRdNoYardsTDPPRRk
2003Anquan Boldin, Ariz.21011,3778290.73
2016Tyreek Hill, K.C.56159312219.018
2009Johnny Knox, Chi.5455276133.751
2012Chris Givens, St.L.4426983133.057
2014Allen Robinson, Jac.2485482116.865
2009Mohamed Massaquoi, Cle.2346243114.166
2009Louis Murphy, Oak.4345214113.267
2018M. Valdes-Scantling, G.B.5385812111.066
2009Brian Hartline, Mia.4315064108.569
2009Mike Thomas, Jac.4484531107.970
2010David Gettis, Car.6375083106.069
2004Clarence Moore, Balt.624293479.378

In the 32-team era, only 24 such receivers (picked after another receiver) have had a top-50 season during their career. That includes six who had at least one top-10 season. In the chart below, you’re seeing only the best statistical season by each player (a limit of one season per player).

RECEIVERS PICKED SECOND BY OWN TEAM (best yr)
YearPlayerRdNoYardsTDPPRRk
2014Antonio Brown, Pitt.61291,69814391.11
2018Tyreek Hill, K.C.5871,47914334.02
2003Anquan Boldin, Ariz.21011,3778290.73
2015Allen Robinson, Jac.2801,40014304.06
2007T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cin.71121,14312299.76
2012Eric Decker, Den.3851,06413269.49
2017Marvin Jones, Det.5611,1019225.112
2016Rishard Matthews, Ten.7659459213.521
2007Shaun McDonald, Det.4799436209.521
2008Kevin Walter, Hou.7608998200.223
2013Brian Hartline, Mia.4761,0164201.624
2010Mike Thomas, Jac.4668205189.426
2017Marquise Goodwin, S.F.3569622168.631
2010Johnny Knox, Chi.5519605177.232
2004David Givens, N.E.7568743161.436
2020Russell Gage, Atl.6727864181.537
2006Arnaz Battle, S.F.6596863148.140
2005Ernest Wilford, Jac.4416817151.140
2021K.J. Osborn, Min.5506557158.540
2021Cedrick Wilson, Dall.6456026148.745
2008Justin Gage, Ten.5346516135.145
2016Quincy Enunwa, NYJ6588574168.945
2007Roydell Williams, Ten.4557194149.245
2012Brandon Gibson, St.L.6516915150.147

—Ian Allan

Fantasy Index