GREEN BAY – When Marquez Valdes-Scantling posted his farewell to the Green Bay Packers on his Instagram account Thursday, he had no shortage of highlights to share.There’s the 75-yard, bolt-from-the-blue touchdown late against Minnesota last season. The 40-yard touchdown last season against the Denver Broncos. The 74-yard touchdown on third-and-5 against the Las Vegas Raiders later in 2020, a score that included almost 70 yards after the catch.The package had a consistent theme. Speed. Over the past couple seasons, almost no NFL receiver took the top off a secondary like MVS.As Valdes-Scantling entered free agency, that speed always was likely to have a market value the cap-strapped Packers couldn’t match. They met that reality Thursday with Valdes-Scantling agreeing to sign a three-year, $30 million contract worth up to $36 million with the Kansas City Chiefs, a source confirmed. It’s a snug fit for MVS, who will replace Tyreek Hill as Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ field-stretching speedster.The Packers resurfaced as a contender to sign MVS after Adams was traded, but they still weren’t able to catch up to his market. His departure signals what has long become obvious. From now until training camp, receiver will be the most important roster need for general manager Brian Gutekunst to address. The Packers have plenty of needs to choose from, among them outside linebacker, offensive tackle and even depth at positions such as cornerback, inside linebacker and defensive line.No position is anywhere near as dire as receiver.The Packers have lost Davante Adams and Valdes-Scantling this offseason, their two most talented pass catchers from the past few years. Equanimeous St. Brown, drafted a round later than Valdes-Scantling in 2018, signed with the Chicago Bears. They placed a second-round tender on Allen Lazard, the formerly undrafted wideout who stands as their top target. Behind Lazard, the Packers have veteran Randall Cobb and 2021 third-round rookie Amari Rodgers.That’s it for their experienced depth.Gutekunst will have an extra first- and second-round pick in next month’s draft after trading Adams to the Raiders last week. Now with four of the draft’s first 59 picks, Gutekunst will have options for one of his favorite draft-day traditions, maneuvering up and down the board. Whatever he decides, receiver will almost certainly be at the forefront of his mind.More: Davante Adams asked for trade to Raiders well before Packers applied franchise tag More: Former Packers receiver Davante Adams says trade to Raiders was ‘meant to be’Valdes-Scantling battled inconsistency in his four seasons since the Packers drafted him in the fifth round, but his 4.37 speed was an unmatched asset on their offense. Nobody made more big plays than Valdes-Scantling over the past four seasons. Valdes-Scantling had a catch of at least 40 yards in 18 of his 57 games with the Packers, an astounding 31 percent.In 2020, Valdes-Scantling became the first Packers receiver since Walter Stanley in 1986 to average more than 20 yards per reception and have at least 30 catches in the same season. Valdes-Scantling simultaneously led the NFL in yards per catch.So while the Packers need receivers, they specifically need big-play speed at the position. Lazard is a big, possession target. Cobb ran 4.46 seconds at the NFL scouting combine, but that was more than a decade ago. Rodgers ran 4.44 last spring, but that track speed never flashed on the football field season.More: Packers re-signing free-agent cornerback Rasul Douglas, tight end Robert TonyanMore: Davante Adams deal leaves gaping hole, but could be good for big pictureThe additional, premium draft picks give Gutekunst flexibility to make a trade for a talented veteran. DK Metcalf will be a popular option, considering the trade rumors revolving around the Seattle Seahawks receiver. If the Seahawks require a first-round pick, the Packers could fill their need for a No. 1 receiver and still retain a first-round selection.Michael Thomas, the New Orleans Saints’ two-time All-Pro, is not expected to be traded this offseason.Short of a blockbuster, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Packers used two of their first four picks on receivers. Gutekunst used a similar strategy in his first draft with the Packers, selecting cornerback Jaire Alexander in the first round and returning to the position for Josh Jackson in the second. There’s a cautionary tale, a lesson that not every early-round draft pick provides a rewarding return, but taking that kind of aggressive approach bolsters the chance of hitting big. The Packers did that with Alexander.If the Packers double dip in the draft, they might need to bolster the position with a veteran. Any number of receivers might be an option late in free agency. The longer Jarvis Landry goes unsigned, the lower his price will fall. Julio Jones and A.J. Green remain unsigned, but both are at a late stage in their careers where the value no longer matches their name.Whatever the Packers do, the path forward is clear after Valdes-Scantling’s departure. They need receivers. More than one. It’s a trendy need position for the Packers this time of year, but never in recent offseasons has it been as dire as it is now.
