Packers Passing Game Coordinator Details Top Challenge For Rookie Receivers

Every NFL rookie must go through an adjustment period transitioning from college to the pros. Some results appear early, while others take more time before contributing regularly.

Such a transition will be no different for Green Bay Packers rookie receivers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams. They will need to work on every aspect of their game to boost competition in a room that ranked third in drops last year and struggled to create separation against man coverage when Christian Watson was out.

On Wednesday’s media availability, Packers' passing game coordinator Jason Vrable addressed the most significant adjustment rookie receivers must make transitioning from college to the NFL.

"The biggest thing I would say is the playbook," Vrable said. "The majority of college teams probably (use) maybe a third of (an NFL) playbook, maybe a fourth. They're more about going fast all the time. Some of the receivers only stay on one side of the field. So, there's an adjustment with that."

For Vrable, the next area rookie receivers must focus on is improving their technique.

"The next-biggest thing is actually the fundamentals. A lot of these guys just make up for fundamentals at times with athletic traits, which is great but at the NFL level that's usually not going to result into success over time. It might take a guy three months, six months to really feel comfortable and be elite at a stance and start and not just be slow off the rock. It's a day-by-day grind for them."

Matthew Golden will likely be Green Bay’s top deep threat option while Christian Watson recovers from a torn ACL, but the Packers will likely not limit him to that role. He is a versatile player capable of stretching the field vertically, making contested catches, and contributing in the short game to help ignite the quick passing attack.

Meanwhile, Savion Williams offers potential for the Packers to use him similarly to how the San Francisco 49ers utilized Deebo Samuel. However, Williams will need to work on his hands. Although he made many contested catches at TCU, he also dropped a number of easy passes. Improving his consistency will be key to his success at the next level.