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The Green Bay Packers added two wide receivers to their stable of pass-catchers in this year's NFL Draft to go along with a talented veteran trio. The big question will be how many of these wideouts will end up on the opening day roster. The Packers kept six for week one last year, but with Donald Driver's retirement and Greg Jennings' departure, there will almost certainly be at least one new face on the roster.
Rookies
Charles Johnson, Grand Valley State
The first of the Packers' seventh-round draft picks has the best chance of making the opening day roster. Johnson's size (6'2", 215) and speed (4.38) have us fans drooling, but he will still need to show up in training camp with a good performance to make the 53.
Kevin Dorsey, Maryland
Dorsey has decent size as well (6'1", 207) but doesn't have the same top-end speed as Johnson. However, he has experience playing against BCS-level competition that Johnson does not have, which could give him a slight edge. If he can show reliable hands and good route-running skills, he has an outside shot at making the roster out of camp.
Sederrik Cunningham, Furman
Cunningham was undrafted last season and was not picked up by any team. Basically, he is the Loyce Means of the receiver group. He has experience returning kicks at Furman, but he has the longest odds of making the roster of any player mentioned here.
Veterans
Randall Cobb
Cobb set a Packers' record for most all-purpose yards last year, but he will in all likelihood be moved off the special teams units in order to focus on offense. He lined up wide, in the slot, and at running back in 2012; however, with the addition of two young backs with solid receiving skills, it seems logical that Cobb will be used primarily in the slot this season. He could easily exceed his 80 catches from last season and become the primary target for Aaron Rodgers.
Jordy Nelson
A year removed from a breakout year with over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns, Nelson had trouble staying fully healthy and played only 12 games in 2013. If he can be 100% for most of the year, he should be able to provide the deep threat that the Packers' offense seemed to lack (or that was taken away by opposing defenses) last year.
James Jones
Jones was a red-zone nightmare for opposing defenses last year, and has reduced his drops in the regular season every year since his second season in 2009 (according to Pro Football Focus). He also made a number of absurd highlight-reel catches last season and never went more than two games in a row without a score. Jones could very well cash in on a long-term contract after this season - whether or not that is with the Packers is a different issue.
Jarrett Boykin
As the sixth receiver on the team in 2012, Boykin only played 96 snaps (including playoffs) and caught five passes for 27 yards. He never really got an opportunity to show what he can do as a big, possession receiver, but he certainly showed good hands and route-running and will make a run at a roster spot once again.
Jeremy Ross
Ross made his impact on special teams, but had a crucial fumble in the divisional playoff game against the 49ers that was a major momentum swing. His best value probably still lies as a returner, as he has not showed any real hint of consistent receiving ability. He'll likely need a fairly impressive training camp performance in order to make the roster once again.
Projected Depth Chart
Outside receiver: Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jarrett Boykin, Charles Johnson, Kevin Dorsey
Slot receiver: Randall Cobb, Jeremy Ross, Sederrik Cunningham
Check out all of Acme Packing Company's draft coverage: 2013 NFL Draft Central | Green Bay Selects Datone Jones in First Round | Green Bay Drafts Eddie Lacy in Second Round | Complete List of Packers' Draft Picks| Packers Undrafted Free Agent Tracker
Keep an eye on the news about quarterback Aaron Rodgers' new contract extension
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