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3 Wide Receivers the Packers Need to Target in Free Agency

By Will Coleman

AJ Green watches the Cincinnati Bengals from the sideline against the Miami Dolphins.
AJ Green watches the Cincinnati Bengals from the sideline against the Miami Dolphins. / Mark Brown/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers were one of the surprise teams from this past season, but what did it amount to? The Packers went 13-3 under first-year head coach Matt LaFleur, won a playoff game, and then fell horribly short of a return to the Super Bowl when they got their doors blown off (again) by the San Francisco 49ers.

Green Bay's defense was one of the league's best last season, but the team still has question marks on the opposite side of the ball. Aaron Rodgers is still among the best in the game and now the Packers have a reliable rushing attack led by Aaron Jones. If Green Bay can target these receivers in free agency this offseason, they'll be one step closer to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2011.

3. Robby Anderson

Robby Anderson celebrates with fans behind the end zone after a receiving touchdown.
Robby Anderson celebrates with fans behind the end zone after a receiving touchdown. / Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

If you're in need of an under-the-radar free agent receiver without an asking price as high as the other two guys on this list, look no further than Robby Anderson. We've seen Anderson perform well in a damaged Jets offense for the last four seasons, but it's time for him to catch passes for a playoff-contending team. At 26 years old, Anderson would be an immediate deep-ball upgrade on the outside for Green Bay alongside Davante Adams.

2. AJ Green

AJ Green takes the field during player introductions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
AJ Green takes the field during player introductions against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. / John Grieshop/Getty Images

No wideout this offseason has had a stranger path to free agency than AJ Green. The Bengals made the playoffs their first five seasons with Green and Andy Dalton but never managed to advance once. Green hasn't played since December of 2018, which made it hard for Cincinnati to deal him to a contender and get value at the trade deadline. His best football days are behind him, but maybe playing alongside Rodgers would allow Green to channel the same energy from his first few seasons in the league. With a large frame and stellar footwork, Green could easily be playing like a top-10 receiver again next season at full health.

1. Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper, left, prances into the end zone for a touchdown against the New York Giants.
Amari Cooper, left, prances into the end zone for a touchdown against the New York Giants. / Mike Stobe/Getty Images

You could mull the differences between going after either Green or Amari Cooper all day, but it really comes down to a few simple things. Cooper is almost six whole years younger than Green and is coming off a career season with the Dallas Cowboys. Cooper dealt with a knee issue throughout last season but is much less of a liability than Green on the injury front. Signing Cooper would require a lot more money, but if the Packers want to maximize their long-term success, Cooper is the ultimate free agent wideout target for them. It'll just be a matter of tinkering with the salary cap to make room.