Dontayvion Wicks: Is Packers WR primed for ‘a monster year’?

With the coachspeak and player-driven hype already intensifying before the 2024 NFL season, Brad Evans examines some of the bolder claims to guide fantasy managers and sports bettors to profitability.

The Claim: In a candid AMA with Bleacher Report, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love said second-year wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is in line “to have a monster year.”

The B.S. barometer: 2.5 (1 = buyable, 5 = a heaping pile).

The Spin: The Packers don’t have a definitive go-to No. 1 wide receiver on the roster. Week-to-week variance on which wideout sets the pace — Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs or Wicks — should be anticipated. “Spread the Love” may be an approach the Green Bay passer may most often follow. However, the second-year WR from Virginia is entirely capable of serving hungry backers occasional cheese curds. (It’s fried cheese, my East/West coast folks.)

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As discussed previously in our Green Bay season lookahead, Wicks stood out in critical advanced analytics categories as a rookie. Last season, he was WR15 or higher in QB rating per target (115.7), route win rate (54.4%) and yards per target (10.0). His attention-grabbing 2.06 fantasy points per target also cracked the position’s top 20. Additionally, he finished in the upper echelon in win rate against man coverage (50.5%, WR4).

When one considers the Packers own the 10th-easiest strength of schedule for fantasy WRs, Wicks’ breakout potential in Year 2 is believable. After all, Love is the one twirling passes in his direction. At a Natty Light cheap 163.37 ADP (WR63) in drafts conducted over the last month, he’s a prime target after Round 10. Strike a match.

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