Romeo Doubs is a bright man.

Deep down, he knows it’s strange to be a veteran in just his second NFL season. But the Green Bay Packers’ 23-year-old wide receiver also understands he has no other choice.

“I mean, it’s strange, but it can't be strange,” Doubs said of suddenly being a veteran on the NFL’s youngest wide receiver corps. “And I know for some it can be strange, but in this room, I have no choice but to step up. I have to lead by example and make sure my expectations, not just on the field, but off the field remain high so I can be the example for the rookies coming in. I’m excited for it.”

Doubs caught 42 passes last season, which amazingly makes him Green Bay’s leading returning wide receiver. Doubs averaged 10.1 yards per catch and scored three touchdowns.

Fellow second-year man Christian Watson caught 41 passes for 611 yards and seven TDs, and he’ll team with Doubs to lead a wide receiver unit that includes second-year man Samori Toure (five catches, 82 yards) and three rookies.

Doubs shined in training camp last season, then opened the season like gangbusters.

Doubs had eight catches in a Week 3 win at Tampa Bay. He caught five balls the following week in an overtime win over New England.

And after eight weeks, he had 30 receptions, 296 yards and all three of his touchdowns.

Doubs suffered a high ankle sprain on Nov. 6, though, and didn’t return for six weeks. By then, Watson had emerged as Green Bay’s top option, quarterback Aaron Rodgers had chemistry with Allen Lazard and Doubs managed just 11 catches for 111 yards and no TDs in the final four games.

“I was doing good, but sometimes life is adversity,” Doubs said. “You’ve just got to find a way to come back better.

“Whatever happened last year stays in last year. I made sure that I was doing good for myself, doing good for the team. And I know coming into this year there’s a lot of new faces and I’m just trying to be even better than I was.”

The Packers need — and expect — him to be just that.

Wide receiver coach Jason Vrable says the growth shown by Doubs — and Watson — in the last 12 months could lead to big seasons for both this fall.

“In the meeting room, it’s been awesome lately,” Vrable said. “Seeing their growth last year to this year. It’s night and day, and they’ve been through the ups and downs. They had to play early.

“Some buildings, you draft a guy maybe in the second round, there might be three vets, four vets in front of them. They might only get to play like 10 plays a game, maybe not at all. But they’ve been through the fire. I think they’ve learned from it. They’ve adapted. They’re competitive and they’ve bought into the tradition of the room.”

Doubs finished last season with 529 snaps, second among Green Bay wideouts. That was just 48.4% of the snap count, though, Doubs could come close to doubling both totals if he can stay healthy.

The 6-foot-2, 204-pound Doubs has ideal size, but a wiry frame. He had four productive years at Nevada, was lauded for his ball skills and competitiveness and ran the 40-yard dash in a respectable 4.53 seconds at his pro day.

Doubs slipped down many draft boards, though, as teams were concerned about his strength, his ability to beat press coverage and his run-after-the-catch ability.

Doubs answered many of those questions last year, but knows he must be dramatically better this season for Green Bay to become one of the NFL’s surprise teams.

Many believe the Packers’ young offense — led by first-year starter Jordan Love — could become special in 2024 or 2025. But Doubs believes it will happen sooner than that.

“That is absolutely realistic. It can happen,” Doubs said of Green Bay having an elite offense in 2023. “I’m confident in Jordan. I know he’s going into his first year, but he’s definitely the guy who can get it done.

“I make sure I’m around Jordan all the time. I played against Jordan in college, so I’m really familiar with what he can do and how he goes about it. But I know going into this year, I will be a big piece for him and I’m really excited.”