Isaiah Neyor: The Packers’ Hidden Gem at Wide Receiver?

Why Everyone Is Talking About This Young Player

Imagine you’re at a backyard football game. There’s that one kid who’s taller, faster, and jumps higher than everyone else—but he sometimes runs the wrong route or drops an easy catch. That’s Isaiah Neyor in a nutshell: incredible natural talent that just needs some polishing.

The Green Bay Packers noticed this too. After a strong showing in their first preseason game against Pittsburgh, Neyor has fans and analysts buzzing about his potential. Let’s break down why this 25-year-old receiver might be the team’s next big steal.

The "Wow" Factor: His College Breakout

Before injuries derailed his path, Neyor put up video-game numbers at Wyoming in 2021:

• 44 catches (17 more than the next teammate)
• 878 yards (580 more than second place!)
• 12 touchdowns (no other Cowboy had more than 2)

Important Point: He did this as a 20-year-old redshirt freshman. In football scouting, "breakout age" is a big deal—dominating early against older players usually predicts future success.

The "But…" — Why He Fell Off the Radar

If he was that good, why wasn’t he a first-round pick? Two main reasons:

1. Weak Competition (The "Covid Year" Problem)

• Wyoming didn’t face a single top-tier team in 2021
• Best opponent was probably Boise State
• Got shut down by Fresno State and New Mexico
• No games against Big Ten or SEC defenses to prove it wasn’t a fluke

2. Low-Pass Offense

• Wyoming barely threw the ball (common in western college football)
• Hard to judge "volume" stats when the offense runs 80% of the time
• Comparison: Even NFL star Nico Collins never caught 38+ passes in a season at Michigan—same issue

The Injury Nightmare: Two Lost Years

Here’s where it gets tough. Just as Neyor should’ve been building on his breakout:

He still managed 5 touchdowns at Nebraska (team-high!) as a deep threat, but the development time was gone.

The Comeback: Elite Athletic Testing

Fast forward to the NFL Combine—where prospects run, jump, and get measured—and Neyor crushed it:

• 9.90 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) — near perfect!
• 6’4", 218 lbs — big, strong frame
• Elite speed, explosion, and size metrics
• Only "weakness": merely good agility scores (not elite)

Fun Fact: His closest athletic comparisons? Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars star), Alec Pierce (Colts), and Bryce Lance. That’s Pro Bowl company.

What the Experts Say: "Raw But Fixable"

Respected scout Dane Brugler (The Beast 2025) ranked Neyor 28th among receivers with a 6th-round grade. Here’s his breakdown:

What He Loves

• Rare size/speed combo
• Huge catch radius (catches balls outside his frame)
• Great body control in the air
• Willing blocker (rare for young receivers!)

What Needs Work (But Is Teachable)

1. Route running — "Unseasoned, slow to adjust at top of routes"
2. Blocking technique — Got 2 penalties in 2024 for form
3. Press coverage — Physical corners give him trouble

Key Insight: These aren’t talent problems—they’re practice problems. And Neyor lost two full years of practice to knee surgeries. You can’t work on route running when you can’t run.

Why the Practice Squad Was Actually Perfect

Most fans see the practice squad as a demotion. For Neyor? It was a gift.

• Active roster: Game prep all week, no time for fundamentals
• Practice squad: Pure skill development, technique refinement
• Neyor got a full year to rebuild his route tree, footwork, and confidence—without the pressure of Sunday games

And it shows. In the preseason opener, he looked noticeably more polished than his college tape. The size and speed still pop, but now the routes look crisp.

The Packers’ Crowded Receiver Room — Where Does He Fit?

Green Bay’s current WR depth chart:

1. Christian Watson
2. Jayden Reed
3. Matthew Golden (rookie)
4. Bo Melton
5. Savion Williams

Gone: Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks

The opening? A "tall burner" role—someone who can stretch the field vertically and win jump balls. That’s exactly Neyor’s profile. He’s competing with J. Michael Sturdivant (another tall, toolsy receiver) and Savion Williams for likely the final spot.

Summary: Should You Be Excited?

Yes—but with patience. Here’s the elevator pitch:

• Elite traits: Size, speed, ball skills, young age (just turned 25)
• Valid excuse for poor stats: Two major knee injuries + bad luck transfers
• Teachable flaws: Route running, technique—fixable with time
• Perfect development path: Year on practice squad = focused growth
• Risk: Still unproven against NFL competition; crowded roster

If Neyor puts it together, the Packers found a Brian Thomas Jr.-level athlete for practically nothing. If not? Low-cost swing on huge upside. That’s smart football.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Q: Is Isaiah Neyor actually going to make the 53-man roster?

A: It’s an uphill battle. He’s competing with Savion Williams and J. Michael Sturdivant for probably one spot. But his preseason performance helped his case significantly.

Q: Why did he transfer twice in college?

A: First transfer (Texas) was to join a bigger program after his breakout. Second (Nebraska) was after re-injuring his knee at Texas and needing a fresh start. Both were injury-driven, not performance-driven.

Q: What is RAS and why does 9.90 matter?

A: RAS (Relative Athletic Score) combines all combine/pro day measurements (40-yard dash, vertical, broad jump, etc.) into a 0–10 scale. 9.90 is elite—top 1% of all receivers tested. It confirms his physical tools are NFL-ready.

Q: Can route running really be taught at this level?

A: Absolutely. Many great receivers (Davante Adams, Keenan Allen) weren’t polished route runners early on. It takes reps—and Neyor finally has a healthy body to get those reps.

Q: How does he compare to J. Michael Sturdivant?

A: Sturdivant is more polished now and adds special teams value. Neyor has higher ceiling due to rare size/speed combo. Think: Sturdivant = safer floor; Neyor = higher upside.

Enjoy the preseason ride—whether it’s Neyor, Sturdivant, or both, the Packers’ receiver competition is one of the most fun stories to watch this August!