It could provide a boost

To elaborate on the impact of rookie receivers in the Aaron Rodgers era, perhaps there hasn’t been a big rookie impact because there wasn’t the urgent need? The Packers have had the luxury of not having to rush these young receivers to the field right away. How about rookie receivers during the Favre era, how well did they do?

I agree about the lack of urgent need generally. As Wes mentioned, when Adams arrived, Nelson and Randall Cobb were running the WR show. When Cobb arrived, this team has Nelson, Jennings, Jones, Driver (and Finley at TE). When MVS arrived, Adams and Cobb were here, along with Graham. We’ll just have to see how the dynamics unfold. In the Favre era, Freeman had eight catches for 106 yards and a TD as a rookie in 1995. Brooks had 12-126-1 in ’92. Walker had 23-319-1 in ’02. Then toward the end the trend shifted when Jennings (45-632-3 in ’06) and Jones (47-676-2 in ’07) came on the scene with bigger rookie years.

Morning Spof, I think a lot of Packer angst about Davante and the wide receiver void is the unknown. When was the last time the Packers moved on from No. 1 receiver without having the replacement on the roster? It has dovetailed so well for over a decade it’s just unfamiliar territory.

You almost have to go back to Sharpe’s abrupt retirement following the ’94 season. Brooks’ numbers that year were 58-648-4 as the No. 2. The following year he put up 102-1,497-13, so we’ll see.

Stephen from Menomonee Falls, WI

Are we asking the right question? Shouldn’t we be saying who will Rodgers throw those 1,300-1,500 yards to, not who’s gonna catch 1,300-1,500 yards?

The first one is whom, but I like the way you think.

I love 17 as much as anyone, but no WR is worth an all-pro MLB, a clutch rotational CB, your QB’s favorite TE, AND extra first- and second-round picks. In terms of total value, this all seems to have played out as well as it realistically could – certainly better than anyone should have expected. But, Mike, what do you make of the noise about the Packers matching LV’s offer? In my mind, it just means Adams has more than one friend in the NFL he’d like to play with before he retires.

To be clear, the Packers re-signed Campbell before trading Adams. The plan, and preferred outcome, was to have both here. To your question, if the reports are accurate the Packers offered equivalent or similar money, it’s because no team wants to see players on a Hall of Fame trajectory leave. True difference-makers really do, ahem, make a difference. They give you an edge every time they step on the field, which impacts every aspect of an opponent’s game plan. There’s no overselling that. I do think the Packers are maximizing what they can from this development, which is what they should do and how the business works.

Dean from Leavenworth, IN

Welcome back Mike, hope the break served you well. I might be wrong but it appears the Packers’ only WR under contract for 2023 is Amari Rodgers? I’m predicting two in the first two rounds (I’m usually wrong). Considering the time it takes most WRs to make an impact could you see them adding a third or fourth in the middle to late rounds? Is the WR class as deep as they’re saying this year?

It is deep, but that seems to be the case regularly now, as the college game keeps churning out playmaking receivers. It’s not a difficult position to restock, but it’s also not as easy as throwing darts at a board. Projection, fit, intangibles, etc., all apply to finding the right ones, in whatever rounds.

Jacob from West Allis, WI

Now that Davante Adams’ time with the Packer has concluded, how does he rank among the best Packers receivers of all time? Please list your top five.

Boy, that’s tough. Hutson, Lofton and Sharpe belong in the top five for me, no arguments. Then it’s a matter of picking two from Adams, Nelson and Driver. I don’t want to leave out any of them.

Darren from Wakefield, MI

Welcome back, Mike. Hope you had a great PTO. The QB shuffle across the league this offseason reminds me of watching the Scrambler at the carnival. Which move intrigues or surprises you most?

I’ve learned not to be too surprised by anything, but what went down with Watson just floored me – the trade compensation and the contract amidst the off-field situation – I just couldn’t get my head around it. When the friend I was with first mentioned it, I thought he was making it all up.

Justin from Los Angeles, CA

When players pass or fail a physical, does each team have their own standards, or is that standardized league-wide? Is it possible for an injury to be okay for one team but not another?

Yes, one team could pass a player on a physical while another one fails him. Opinions regarding injuries frequently differ.