Buying or Selling Packers' Top Offseason Performances
With the Green Bay Packers opening training camp on Wednesday, July 27, the offseason has officially given way to the preseason.
We still have to wait a while before we finally get to see real NFL action. The Packers' first preseason game will be August 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. However, we will start getting reports from padded practices soon enough.
For a few more days, we will have to settle for more practices in shorts and T-shirts.
Of course, we've already had some of those with OTAs and rookie minicamps. As we get ready for the real thing, here's a look back at some of the players who made an impression and whether that will precede a strong training camp and regular season.
Edge Rashan Gary
Rashan Gary broke out in 2021 with 9.5 sacks in his first season as a full-time starter.
If reports about the work he put in during the offseason are an indication, he could be in for even bigger things in 2022.
Gary was highlighted by ESPN's Rob Demovsky as one of the Packers' "surprise standouts" during OTAs this summer. He noted the pass-rusher looked "lean and muscular" while sticking around for more workouts than most of the starters on the team.
The Packers clearly have a lot of faith in Gary as he enters his fourth season. They allowed Za'Darius Smith to leave in free agency, leaving them with Preston Smith and Gary as the only experienced and proven edge rushers on the roster.
The Packers have what they need to be a top-five defense on paper. Reaching that potential will mean relying on Gary to be even better in 2022.
Given his success in 2021, it's not surprising that he's bought in even more and ready to take on a leadership role.
Verdict: Buy
WR Amari Rodgers
Few position groups have been as scrutinized as the Packers' wide receiver room this offseason. The Packers have the reigning MVP in Aaron Rodgers but lost Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, leaving a massive hole in the passing game.
The Packers didn't add any major names through free agency or trade, so who Rodgers will be throwing the ball to has been a central question for the Packers.
Clearly, the team believes the answers are already on the roster, and the competition will be fascinating in training camp.
Amari Rodgers—who the team drafted in the third round of the 2021 draft—is among the young receivers who will attempt to take advantage of the opportunity.
The Clemson product did not really play offense as a rookie, but he contributed as a returner.
The receiver caught the attention of Packers.com writer Mike Spofford this spring, making several impressive catches on passes from Jordan Love at OTAs.
However, translating those spring performances to training camp and the regular season is going to be difficult. The Packers made a fairly notable statement on Amari Rodgers when they drafted three receivers (Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Samari Toure) in the 2022 draft.
Amari Rodgers can't be completely discounted, but he has a tough road to carving out a role with Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Sammy Watkins having more experience.
Verdict: Sell
WR Romeo Doubs
The Packers openly demonstrated their admiration for Christian Watson when they traded up for him in the second round. However, he isn't the only rookie receiver with a shot at making an impact in his rookie season.
They also took Romeo Doubs out of Nevada with one of their fourth-round picks.
He's wasted no time in making his own statement this offseason. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic noted Doubs, "might be making the best impression among the new receivers this offseason."
The 6'2", 201-pound receiver doesn't bring the same elite size and athleticism that Watson does. He didn't light up the combine or post eye-popping numbers.
He was, however, a productive option for four seasons with Nevada. He's a smooth receiver with the ability to track down deep balls and attack them with good hands.
In short, he's the kind of receiver that Aaron Rodgers has connected with in the past.
It shouldn't be surprising if he parlays his strong spring with a great training camp and ends up as the team's third or fourth receiver by season's end.
Verdict: Buy