Jordan Love’s emergence as the Green Bay Packers‘ definitive franchise quarterback of the future was buoyed by his young receivers breaking out in 2023.

Rookie wide out Jayden Reed led the Packers in receiving, while Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs made major strides in their second NFL season. But, down the stretch and in the postseason it was fifth-round rookie Dontayvion Wicks who became one of Love‘s favorite targets.

“Wicks was one of the best yards-after-catch receivers in the NFL,” Thomas Valentine writes for PFF. “Showing his real ability as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He averaged 5.6 yards after the catch per reception this season, 19th-most in the NFL.”

Pro Football Focus lists lists Wicks as the Packers’ ‘secret superstar’ after the 2023 campaign.

“The Packers’ young receiving room exceeded all expectations in 2023,” Valentine writes. “Alongside Jordan Love, and Wicks’ involvement in the offense was a nice surprise. The rookie fifth-round pick hit the ground running and never looked back, catching 39 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns, earning a 77.8 PFF grade — 26th among all receivers in the NFL.”

It was easy to see Love’s confidence in Wicks throughout the season, with the first-year starting quarterback posting a 117.6 passer rating on the rookie receiver’s 57 targets.