The Green Bay Packers have a few different training camp battles ensuing this year. The ones people are most interested in are the backup quarterback spot and how the depth charts at tight end and safety shake out.
But, there is another battle brewing that could lead to the Packers adjusting how they fill out their 53-man roster come the regular season. Most projections have Green Bay keeping five wide receivers and the group is pretty much set.
Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samori Toure are 2022 draft picks locked into roster spots. The same can likely be said about Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, who were picked in the 2023 NFL Draft.
But, the Packers could have their hands forced and keep a sixth wide receiver based on the performance of Malik Heath and Bo Melton. Both undrafted rookies are doing their best to make life difficult for the coaching staff when it decides to keep five or six wide receivers.
Heath was a standout during the team’s Family Night over the weekend, hauling in pass after pass and scoring two touchdowns. The Ole Miss product has stood out all offseason, even going back to OTAs and minicamp in the spring.
Melton, a speedster out of Rutgers, has been showcasing an impressive ability to succeed out of the slot. He has made highlights on quick-hitting routes, showcasing his speed and agility while also creating space downfield.
It is performances like that that have garnered the attention of Packers head coach, Matt LaFleur. “I’ve seen a lot of good things from both those guys,” said LaFleur on Monday. “They are different receivers. Malik is kind of your big goonish-type of guy that you know we love around here. He’s very physical. And Bo is a scrapper. He’s a scrappy guy that can really run.”
Goon is a term of endearment around the Packers, as LaFleur used to refer to Allen Lazard as such as he was a favorite of the coaching staff. But, this battle is far from over and another participant is joining the fray.
Seventh-round pick Grant DuBose was recently activated off the non-football injury list. While he does have some catching up to do, being a draft pick does give him a slight edge over the other players at the position as the Packers don’t want to feel as if they wasted a pick.
