Place Your Bets: Which Receiver Will Be Drafted First?

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers haven’t drafted a receiver in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. It’s the second-longest drought in the NFL.

That history suggests the Packers won’t draft one this year, either. But, at some point, that streak will be snapped.

Will this be the year? It could be for a few reasons.

One, the Packers have only five receivers under contract, including only three who’ve ever caught a pass in a game. So, it’s a huge need, no matter if the team truly believes Christian Watson will be good, great or a superstar.

Two, a great quarterback like Aaron Rodgers can make average receivers look good and good receivers look great. He, presumably, won’t be the quarterback this coming season.

Three, the Packers will want to give Rodgers’ successor, Jordan Love, as good a chance at success as possible.

The 2023 NFL Draft class is strong in terms of depth but lacking true star power at the top. That means the Packers could have their pick of the group to give Love a marquee weapon with the 15th selection of the draft.

In NFL Draft odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a heavy favorite to be the first receiver off the board. He is -250, an implied probability of 71.4 percent.

With his ability to slide right into the slot alongside Watson and Romeo Doubs, he seemingly would be an ideal fit.

“I just think my playmaking ability is second to none in this draft,” he said at the Scouting Combine. “I see myself as a top-five player, not just receiver. I see myself as a top-five player in this draft, just being able to make plays and given the opportunities, you know, you throw me the ball seven to nine times, I can win you the game. And I think that speaks for itself.”

Here are the rest of the first-receiver odds:

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State: -250

Zay Flowers, Boston College: +350

Jordan Addison, USC: +600

Quentin Johnston, TCU: +1200

Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee: +4000

Josh Downs, North Carolina: +10000

Of those six, Flowers and Downs likely are too short to be on Green Bay’s draft board.

Defensive line (which includes edge defenders, aka outside linebackers) is the betting favorite to be Green Bay’s No. 1 choice.

Green Bay Packers Free Agency and Draft News

With nine days until the NFL Draft, the 100 Days of Mocks continues with 10 fresh mock drafts.

Batting leadoff: A seven-round mock that includes a top tight end and three receivers. https://t.co/VKrpGiIGk9
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) April 18, 2023

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