Aaron Rodgers has a new weapon.
That’s a scary thought for NFC North defenses.
With the departure of wide receiver James Jones to free agency in the offseason, the Green Bay Packers opted for offense early in Day 2 of the NFL draft. The Packers selected Fresno State wide receiver Davante Adams at No. 53 overall Friday night.
“He’s a complete football player, and that’s what stood out,” Packers wide receiver coach Edgar Bennett said.
The 6-0 7/8, 212-pound Adams broke 11 school records at Fresno State in two highly productive seasons. For his career, he tallied 233 catches for 3,030 yards and 38 touchdowns. As a redshirt sophomore last year, he had 24 touchdowns and 1,718 yards. In college, Adams wasn’t shy to catch a ball on any part of the field.
“You watch him on tape, he’s a competitor, he competes,” Bennett said. “Tremendous as far as his catching ability. Has good hands, makes the tough catch, goes up and attacks the football, extremely productive.”
Adams, who ran a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, was the ninth wide receiver off the board. This year’s wideout class is considered to be one of the deepest in draft history.
Adams believes he separates himself from the other wide receivers.
“I feel like I’m one of the best playmakers in the draft, being able to catch the ball deep or catching the short route and taking it the distance,” Adams said. “Obviously, I feel like I’m the best red zone player in this draft. I can definitely be utilized in that way.”
Adams, 21, led the nation as a sophomore in receptions (131), receptions per game (10.08) and was second in receiving yards per game (132.22). He was the main option in a high-octane spread offense run by Fresno State, which was anchored by fellow second-round pick, quarterback Derek Carr.
The Packers, who drafted a wide receiver for the fourth straight year, believe Adams can step in right away and play. The team’s brass spoke with Adams at the combine and were impressed with his mindset and focus.
Adams feels like he landed in the best possible situation in Green Bay with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Jarrett Boykin in place at wide receiver.
“I see myself fitting in perfectly,” Adams said. “I’m extremely excited I get to play with these guys. They’ve definitely had a lot of success and they can teach me a lot going in as a rookie.”
Adams is also excited to catch passes from Rodgers.
“I couldn’t be happier being anywhere else,” Adams said. “Aaron Rodgers has always been one of my favorite quarterbacks and he’s proved to be the best quarterback in the league.”
In its first pick of the third round, Green Bay decided to strengthen its defensive line, selecting Southern Mississippi tackle Khyri Thornton at No. 85. The 6-3, 304-pounder started 28 games for the Golden Eagles with 116 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks.
Thornton had 39 tackles in 11 games in 2013 and was a team captain. He was the team’s primary defensive tackle in 2012 as a redshirt junior.
In the final selection of the day, the Packers used their compensatory pick – given to the team for losing Greg Jennings via free agency to the Minnesota Vikings — at No. 98 to take California tight end Richard Rodgers.
The 6-foot Rodgers had 39 catches for 608 yards and a touchdown in 11 games in 2013. At Cal, he was often used in motion and also saw time in the slot.
Tight end was a position of need for the Packers. Jermichael Finley is a free agent and he is recovering from a serious spinal cord injury.
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