The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Green Bay Packers wide receiver room is likely to look a lot different when the 2022 season opens. Will they opt to make Davante Adams the highest-paid wide receiver in the league? Will they bring back Allen Lazard? Will deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling get a new deal this offseason?
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future outlook of the wide receiver position at 1265 Lombardi Avenue. The only certainty is that Brian Gutekunst will likely use multiple picks on the wide position in the 2022 NFL Draft.
A player that Green Bay’s general manager could target on day three of the draft is Samori Toure. The Nebraska wide receiver checks in at No. 91 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Before arriving in Lincoln, Toure tore up Big Sky Country in Missoula. As a wide receiver for the Montana Grizzlies, Toure caught 31 passes for 553 yards and five touchdowns in 2017. In 2018, Toure recorded 37 receptions for 440 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2019, Toure recorded 87 receptions and set the program record for receiving yards in a season with 1,495. Toure also caught 13 touchdown passes.
Toure finished that season on an absolute terror. During the final six games of the season, Toure caught 48 passes for 905 yards and 10 touchdowns.
During that six-game span, Toure had four 100-yard receiving games, including a record-setting 303-yard game. Toure also had three games where he hauled in three receiving touchdowns.
This past season, Toure was the top pass-catcher for Nebraska. Toure caught 46 passes for 898 yards and five touchdowns.
“It’s impressive that he’s found continued success at both the FCS and FBS levels,” Shane Coughlin the Director of College Scouting for the Shrine Bowl said. “Samori’s always had production against all levels of competition and I expect that trend to continue as a professional.”
Toure is a balanced route runner that’s fluid in and out of his breaks, possessing a loose lower body. He enters his routes with smooth acceleration. He does a great job of setting up double moves by using subtle head movements.
The Nebraska wide receiver has some juice after the catch with his quickness and toughness. He has long strides that eat up a lot of grass. Toure has the vision of a running back and does a great job of fighting for each yard.
“The way he tempers with his speeds makes him such a nuanced route runner and creative playmaker in space,” Coughlin said. “He has great field awareness and vision to both create separation for himself and work efficiently upfield with tremendous body control.”
Toure is a very effective downfield threat with his burst and ability to stack cornerbacks. With his length (6-3) he does a great job of attacking the ball at its highest point. He has natural tracking skills.
“His ball skills are really natural and his wingspan compliments that part of his game,” Coughlin said. “There’s easy overhead tracking and his ability to work back to the ball will make him an early contributor on conversion downs at the next level.”
Matt LaFleur wants his wide receivers to be good blockers out on the perimeter. Toure is no slouch in that department. He’s able to lock up defenders on the perimeter and shows an appetite for the physical side of the game.
“His size stands out and he’s continuing to fill out his frame,” Coughlin said. “He began his collegiate career listed at 172 pounds and will enter the league close to 200. The length also comes into play when he initiates and can lock out defenders if he can punch squarely. It’s an area of his game that already has sound fundamentals and will get much better as a pro with added bulk and play strength.”
Fit with the Packers
Even if Adams gets a new deal this offseason the Packers will likely be forced to reshape the wide receiver depth chart behind him. It would not be surprising to see Gutekunst use multiple picks on the wide receiver position on day three of the draft, much like he did in 2018.
Toure checks all the boxes. He’s a big-play threat. He’s got the ideal length (6-3). He’s a polished route runner with reliable hands. He has special teams experience as a kick returner.
“His football instincts shine through his production, route landmarks, blocking technique, and ability after the catch,” Coughlin said. “He’s a long, athletic, and tough perimeter receiver with slot experience and room to add weight and power. The route pacing and controlled movements would fit a west coast offense perfectly.”