The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
Davante Adams, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones. The names of wide receivers that the Green Bay Packers selected on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Jayden Reed could be added to that list in a few years.
With the Packers in the market for a wide receiver, Brian Gutekunst could once again turn to Green Bay's bread and butter and target a wide receiver on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft. A potential target is Jalen Royals. The Utah State wide receiver checks in at No. 15 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A no-star recruit out of Georgia, Royals started his collegiate career at the JUCO level before transferring to Utah State in 2022. In 2023, Royals recorded 71 receptions for 1,080 yards and he set the program record for receiving touchdowns in a season (15).
This past season, Royals played in just seven games due to an ankle injury. Before suffering the season-ending injury, Royals reeled in 55 receptions for 834 yards and six touchdowns.
Could Jalen Royals be the next @seniorbowl WR to be drafted by the Packers?
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) January 10, 2025
Dynamic playmaker, YAC, former track athlete. He'd be a fun addition to Green Bay's aerial attack. https://t.co/mfg2f5uMZnpic.twitter.com/Xz1j9PhNV5
"He essentially was the offense before he went down," Patrick Mayhorn, the creator of The Aggship, said. "They reworked some things in his stead and even took some steps forward because they went away from the passing game, which was never really a strong suit, but he kept the throwing game afloat when he was on the field. He was comfortably their best option for every concept in the passing offense – vertical shots, posts, comebacks, slants and screens making up the bulk of that."
Royals is able to win off the line of scrimmage due to his suddenness. He explodes in and out of his breaks and has efficient footwork. He’s twitchy and has the short-area quickness to create separation out of the slot. Royals does a good job of finding the soft spots in coverage and making himself available to the quarterback.
A former track athlete, Royals can scoot and he's got explosive strides when he opens up his gate. He tracks the ball well and has strong hands.
"The Blaker Anderson/Kyle Cefalo offense he was in isn't exactly overflowing with concepts, but Royals never had any trouble handling those," Mayhorn said. "He understands that his bread is buttered at top speed and doesn't waste time dancing, he gets into and out of his cuts quickly."
Royals is a YAC threat. He has good contact balance and some shiftiness in his game to make the first defender miss. In just seven games this past season, Royals forced 17 missed tackles and racked up 436 yards after the catch. With his speed (4.42 40-yard dash), he has the explosiveness to turn short throws into explosive plays.
"He's really, ...
