Last week, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Green Bay Packers were showing some interest in free agent wide receiver Wes Welker. It came as a surprise given how quiet the market has been for the soon-to-be 34-year-old. The report was even more intriguing given Green Bay's typical method of addressing depth through the draft, but Rapoport added the Packers were seeking a veteran receiver.
While it's not unreasonable to imagine the Packers are looking for a veteran wide receiver, given Jared Abbrederis is returning from a torn ACL and Jeff Janis played 15 snaps as a rookie, they would only be seeking a temporary fourth wide receiver. Green Bay certainly loves to throw the football led by Aaron Rodgers, but a majority of their sets are 11 personnel.
Welker has had an outstanding career, but he certainly comes with more concerns than just his declining ability. Numerous concussions at a time when head trauma is under the microscope is bad news for Welker, especially given how conservative and careful the Packers' doctors have been over the years. We've seen players like Nick Collins and Jermichael Finley, two prominent starters, never be cleared to play again as the result of spine injuries. While multiple concussions may not appear on that level, they can have even harsher affects on players long-term.
Even if Welker was cleared and there were no concerns over concussions, he isn't even the top veteran wide receiver on the market. Greg Jennings and Michael Crabtree are still waiting for contracts offers, though neither are expected to come from the Packers. While many focus on Jennings' comments about Green Bay after he left two years ago, that issue is in the past and wouldn't prevent Green Bay from pursuing him. What's keeping the Packers out of the free agent wide receiver market is just the simple fact they aren't a great fit for free agent receivers.
Any receiver who steps in will serve as their fourth receiver on a team where Mike McCarthy has high expectations for Janis in 2015 and even if Abbrederis is slow to return from a knee injury, the Packers can always draft a wide receiver in a 2015 class that is loaded at the position throughout days one through three.
There is just insufficient reasoning to the idea that Welker could be a real addition made by the Packers. Given his medical history, Green Bay's depth at wide receiver and the available options both in the draft and free agency, this rumor can safely be tossed aside. Besides, Green Bay's front office is largely a vault of secrets. While most teams have draft prospects they have worked out and visited leaked to the public, all remains quiet on the Lambeau front.