The success of Green Bay Packers’ new quarterback, Jordan Love, will depend on the route-running abilities of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, the team’s wide receivers. As the play-caller, Matt LaFleur hopes to use their skills to keep the opposing defenses off balance.
Since the Packers have limited options in free agency, they are relying on their second and third-year players to make the biggest improvements in 2023. This is where the players typically make the largest leaps in their careers, and Watson and Doubs are no exception. Despite being limited by injuries during their rookie seasons, they are expected to grow and adjust to the NFL’s new offense.
Now that they are in their second year, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are expected to play more significant roles in the Green Bay Packers’ offense. Both players have demonstrated their ability to run various route concepts, and they are now healthier and more comfortable with the team’s playbook.
During the NFL Annual Meetings, Matt LaFleur spoke highly of the two pass-catchers, stating that Watson will be running more routes in the upcoming season. He also praised Doubs, stating that the latter possesses excellent movement skills similar to Davante Adams.
According to LaFleur, Watson is an intelligent player who can handle a lot of responsibility. He added that Watson is exceptionally detailed-oriented and that the team expects him to run more routes than he did last year. The coach believes that Watson has the potential to take on a more prominent role in the offense.
Matt LaFleur also praised Romeo Doubs, highlighting his unique skill set and Davante Adams-like movement skills. However, he acknowledged that Doubs needs to learn when and how to use them effectively. LaFleur believes that with enough practice and reps, Doubs can progress and run any route required in the offense.
The route-running abilities of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs provide Matt LaFleur with more creative options for his play designs. LaFleur aims to create the “illusion of complexity” by running similar plays from various formations and different plays that start similarly, making it harder for defenses to predict the offense’s next move.
Since Jordan Love is the new quarterback, it’s essential that the offense’s play designs built around Watson and Doubs’ diverse route trees make the passing game easier for him, at least early in the season.
To complement Watson and Doubs, the Packers could benefit from another deep threat at the receiver position. Having a downfield threat would force the opponents to respect it, creating additional room underneath for Doubs and Watson to operate.
The Packers could look to the draft to find such a player, with Jalin Hyatt, Marvin Mims, Dontayvion Wicks, Tyler Scott, Trey Palmer, and Quentin Johnston being potential candidates. Alternatively, Samori Toure, who is already on the roster, could fill the role.
Adding a wide receiver who can win in various ways and at all levels of the field would further complicate things for opposing defenses. In this regard, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cedric Tillman are two early-round prospects that the Packers could consider.
However, it’s essential that Doubs and Watson prove they can handle additional route running responsibilities consistently. Even if they do, success for the offense is not guaranteed. Still, their development should help expand the offense and create some easier opportunities for Love to connect with his receivers.
