Unpacking Future Packers: No. 50, San Jose State WR Nick Nash

USA Today

06-03-2025

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 50, San Jose State WR Nick Nash
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
A year ago at this time the Green Bay Packers wide receiver room was stocked to the brim with budding talent. Fast forward a year and now it's a question if any of those talented, young wide receivers will earn second contracts with the Packers.
Jayden Reed is arguably the most talented of the bunch. The dynamic playmaker started off his second year in the league like gangbusters before cooling off and getting bitten by the drop bug.
Can he put together a more consistent season during his third year in the league and prove himself to be the team's top playmaker?
Dontayvion Wicks struggled with drops, an issue that's plagued him going back to his days at Virginia. It doesn't matter how much separation he creates if he doesn't start consistently finishing the process. Can he get over the drops and prove to be a more reliable threat?
Romeo Doubs suffered two concussions this past season and an isolated off-the-field incident that caused the Packers to suspend the former Day 3 pick.
Christian Watson proved this season to be the most valuable asset in the room. When he was off the field it was noticed.
The Packers will have to make do without Watson's services for much of the upcoming season after he suffered a torn ACL during the team's final regular season game.
With both Watson and Doubs entering the final deals of their rookie contracts and the bouts of inconsistency that plagued Wicks and Reed, the Packers may invest a pick or two on the wide receiver position during the 2025 NFL Draft.
A potential target on Day 3 is Nick Nash. The San Jose State wide receiver checks in at No. 50 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A California native, Nash started his career at San Jose State as a quarterback. During his first three seasons, Nash threw 10 touchdown passes and rushed for five more.
Nash made the move to wide receiver in 2022 and caught one touchdown pass during his first season at his new position. The following season he hauled in 48 receptions for 728 yards and eight touchdowns.
This past season Nash became the fourth player in FBS history to lead the country in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,382) and receiving touchdowns (16). Nash also threw a pair of touchdown passes.
Nash is a three-level threat. His trump card is his ability to climb the ladder. He has outstanding body control and does a good job of making catches in a crowd. He has a wide catch radius. According to Pro Football Focus, Nash came down with 19 contested catches this past season.
"His greatest strength on the field is his catch radius, he can come down with almost anything in his vicinity," Christian Vieyra, the executive editor for The Spear, said. "He practices like he plays, multiple players told me that this past season. His leaping ability stood out each week. It felt like it was a guaranteed touchdown with him every week in red zone situations."
With his long-striding speed to stretch the field. A former high school outfielder, Nash tracks the ball well downfield. Of his 104 receptions, 71 of them led to a first down for the Spartans. He spears the ball away from his frame and was tagged with six drops on 171 targets this past season.
Nash does a good job of changing up his route tempo to keep defensive backs off balance. He finds the open spots against zone coverage and makes himself available to the quarterback.
The San Jose State wide receiver runs hard after the catch. He's not a dynamic YAC threat, but with his long strides and effort, he can occasionally make a play with the ball in his hands. According to PFF, Nash racked up 414 yards after the catch this past season.
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need more consistency from their wide receiver group moving forward. Even if Reed, Wicks and Doubs take the next steps while Watson is on the sideline, that group will need another body or two moving forward.
Nash may not be explosive (4.57 40-yard dash time), but he has the ability to win downfield and carve up the middle of the field. He has strong hands and could quickly develop into a quarterback's best friend.
"I would draft Nick Nash because of his ability to catch balls in his radius," Vieyra said. " He showed leadership qualities at SJSU and had a higher football IQ being a former quarterback. That really helped in an offense at SJSU that heavily relied on option routes. He also is older, which I understand can be a knock, but I'd be confident in his ability to play early in his career."
Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted 10 wide receivers, with seven of those selections occurring on Day 3 of the draft. With his three-level potential, smoothness, and natural ball skills, Nash could be the next Day 3 receiver selected by Gutekunst.