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) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Rd | No | Yards | TD | PPR | Rk |
| 2003 | Anquan Boldin, Ariz. | 2 | 101 | 1,377 | 8 | 290.7 | 3 |
| 2016 | Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 5 | 61 | 593 | 12 | 219.0 | 18 |
| 2009 | Johnny Knox, Chi. | 5 | 45 | 527 | 6 | 133.7 | 51 |
| 2012 | Chris Givens, St.L. | 4 | 42 | 698 | 3 | 133.0 | 57 |
| 2014 | Allen Robinson, Jac. | 2 | 48 | 548 | 2 | 116.8 | 65 |
| 2009 | Mohamed Massaquoi, Cle. | 2 | 34 | 624 | 3 | 114.1 | 66 |
| 2009 | Louis Murphy, Oak. | 4 | 34 | 521 | 4 | 113.2 | 67 |
| 2018 | M. Valdes-Scantling, G.B. | 5 | 38 | 581 | 2 | 111.0 | 66 |
| 2009 | Brian Hartline, Mia. | 4 | 31 | 506 | 4 | 108.5 | 69 |
| 2009 | Mike Thomas, Jac. | 4 | 48 | 453 | 1 | 107.9 | 70 |
| 2010 | David Gettis, Car. | 6 | 37 | 508 | 3 | 106.0 | 69 |
| 2004 | Clarence Moore, Balt. | 6 | 24 | 293 | 4 | 79.3 | 78 |
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) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Rd | No | Yards | TD | PPR | Rk |
| 2014 | Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 6 | 129 | 1,698 | 14 | 391.1 | 1 |
| 2018 | Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 5 | 87 | 1,479 | 14 | 334.0 | 2 |
| 2003 | Anquan Boldin, Ariz. | 2 | 101 | 1,377 | 8 | 290.7 | 3 |
| 2015 | Allen Robinson, Jac. | 2 | 80 | 1,400 | 14 | 304.0 | 6 |
| 2007 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cin. | 7 | 112 | 1,143 | 12 | 299.7 | 6 |
| 2012 | Eric Decker, Den. | 3 | 85 | 1,064 | 13 | 269.4 | 9 |
| 2017 | Marvin Jones, Det. | 5 | 61 | 1,101 | 9 | 225.1 | 12 |
| 2016 | Rishard Matthews, Ten. | 7 | 65 | 945 | 9 | 213.5 | 21 |
| 2007 | Shaun McDonald, Det. | 4 | 79 | 943 | 6 | 209.5 | 21 |
| 2008 | Kevin Walter, Hou. | 7 | 60 | 899 | 8 | 200.2 | 23 |
| 2013 | Brian Hartline, Mia. | 4 | 76 | 1,016 | 4 | 201.6 | 24 |
| 2010 | Mike Thomas, Jac. | 4 | 66 | 820 | 5 | 189.4 | 26 |
| 2017 | Marquise Goodwin, S.F. | 3 | 56 | 962 | 2 | 168.6 | 31 |
| 2010 | Johnny Knox, Chi. | 5 | 51 | 960 | 5 | 177.2 | 32 |
| 2004 | David Givens, N.E. | 7 | 56 | 874 | 3 | 161.4 | 36 |
| 2020 | Russell Gage, Atl. | 6 | 72 | 786 | 4 | 181.5 | 37 |
| 2006 | Arnaz Battle, S.F. | 6 | 59 | 686 | 3 | 148.1 | 40 |
| 2005 | Ernest Wilford, Jac. | 4 | 41 | 681 | 7 | 151.1 | 40 |
| 2021 | K.J. Osborn, Min. | 5 | 50 | 655 | 7 | 158.5 | 40 |
| 2021 | Cedrick Wilson, Dall. | 6 | 45 | 602 | 6 | 148.7 | 45 |
| 2008 | Justin Gage, Ten. | 5 | 34 | 651 | 6 | 135.1 | 45 |
| 2016 | Quincy Enunwa, NYJ | 6 | 58 | 857 | 4 | 168.9 | 45 |
| 2007 | Roydell Williams, Ten. | 4 | 55 | 719 | 4 | 149.2 | 45 |
| 2012 | Brandon Gibson, St.L. | 6 | 51 | 691 | 5 | 150.1 | 47 |
—Ian Allan