The Green Bay Packers added some talented young players, including wide receiver Julian Hicks, after a successful rookie minicamp.
SI.com’s Bill Huber stated that the Packers signed Hicks on Saturday, May 4. Huber highlighted Hicks’ size and speed – 6’2″ and 202 pounds.
Hicks was among 18 players who tried out for the Packers during their rookie minicamp. However, only three players, including wide receiver Dimitri Stanley, the son of a former Packers receiver, and second-year guard Lecitus Smith, secured a training camp contract.
Now, Hicks and the others will aim to make enough plays in the preseason to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Who Is Julian Hicks?
He may not be widely known, but Hicks had some successful college seasons.
Hicks began at Central Michigan, but transferred to Akron after one season. He then spent two seasons with the Zips before transferring again after the COVID-shortened season.
After transferring to Albany, Hicks experienced a season-ending ankle injury in his first game. He finally got the chance to shine in 2022 and became a crucial part of the offense in his final two seasons. He ended with 74 receptions for 1,169 yards and 17 touchdowns over those two seasons.
Although he wasn’t drafted, Hicks’ pre-draft testing was impressive. Listed just under 6’2″ and 201 pounds, Hicks achieved a 9.18 Relative Athletic Score. His score was boosted by an outstanding three-cone time of 6.77 seconds and a 10’6″ broad jump.
Matt LaFleur is known for preferring wide receivers taller than 6’0″ and 200 pounds. Hicks meets those criteria, so he’ll have a real opportunity during training camp to demonstrate his abilities.
The Packers Have a Packed Wide Receiver Room
Hicks and Stanley are going to training camp. However, the Packers did not address the position with any of their picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
There’s a reason for that. The Packers simply have too many young receivers who showed promise in 2023 to warrant adding more players at the position.
Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are the most experienced wide receivers, but are both only entering their third NFL seasons. Bo Melton will also be entering his third NFL season, but joined the Packers roster late in 2022..
Doubs and Watson have secured spots in the rotation when healthy. Even Melton showed promise when called upon, especially late in the season against the Minnesota Vikings.
Even the rookies stood out in 2023. Jayden Reed finished the year with 10 total touchdowns, serving as a versatile weapon in Green Bay’s offense. Late-round pick Dontayvion Wicks continued to impress on film throughout the year and made significant progress in the second half of the season and playoffs.
The Packers even have another UDFA in Malik Heath who stepped up in key moments last season. There’s so much depth and youth at the position that incoming players like Hicks will have a hard time cracking the 53-man roster unless they can really stand out in the coming months.
