NFL analyst warns Packers’ struggling WR group could pose major problem for Jordan Love

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick believes Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love needs more help from his receiving crew if he is to lead the team to success in 2025.

A lack of depth in the Packers’ receiving corps is a cause for concern heading into the new season. Christian Watson was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list last month as he recovers from a prior ACL injury, while Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks struggled for consistency last season.

In an article for ESPN on Monday, Riddick said the receiving room was the Packers' biggest concern.

“Green Bay needs Christian Watson to return from his ACL injury and be better than ever. It also needs Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks to reduce their drops (combined for 18 in 2024) and for rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden to have an immediate impact,” said Riddick.

Reed led the team in receiving yards last season (857), with Wicks fourth (415), while Christian Watson had 620 yards through the air in 15 games, good for third on the team. Watson averaged 21.4 yards per catch last season, the highest rate of any Packers receiver.

The franchise also used its first-round selection this year to draft Matthew Golden out of the University of Texas. Golden was a second-team All-Big 12 in 2023 and had 987 receiving yards in 2025 with a career-high nine touchdowns.

Despite the inconsistency among his receivers, Jordan Love has never missed the playoffs since becoming the Packers’ full-time starter at the beginning of the 2023 campaign. He went 9-6 in 2024, throwing for 3,389 yards and completing 63.1% of his throws.

He saw limited action in their 30-10 preseason loss to the New York Jets this past weekend, going 1 of 5 for 7 yards.

Packers have one receiver spot up for grabs

Love hasn’t had a single 1,000-yard receiver since becoming the starter, but it appears most of his pass-catchers in 2025 are already set.

According to Sports Illustrated, there’s only one spot up for grabs at that position. They have Golden, Romeo Doubs, Reed, Wicks and Savion Williams as their top five, with the sixth spot still to be determined. Whoever takes that last place may only have it temporarily until Watson returns at some point in the 2025 campaign.

Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman appear to be the two battling for a place on the roster at the moment, and neither made a strong first impression this past weekend. Heath had two drops in the loss to the Jets, while Hardman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, had one drop and misjudged a punt.

The next chance both players will have to redeem themselves will be on Saturday when they travel to Lucas Oil Stadium for their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.