The Green Bay Packers are looking to build on last week’s preseason win over the Cleveland Browns and will visit the Denver Broncos for a joint practice on Friday and a preseason game on Sunday evening.
The result on the field is not nearly as important as the process that led to the results.
Jordan Love’s 65-yard touchdown to Dontayvion Wicks is an encouraging sight. The short-yardage running game failing to gain a yard on three consecutive plays is something that needs to be worked on.
This week is an important one for those fighting for a roster spot or starting position. A competitive practice in Denver and a strong preseason performance should provide a significant boost to those hoping to land a roster spot.
Here are four Packers who need a big weekend against the Broncos.
Kickers
OK, this is cheating because this list features two players but there is only one roster spot up for grabs.
Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph have struggled with inconsistency throughout training camp, and instead of one kicker outperforming the competition, both players performed poorly on Wednesday.
Joseph has only made 81.7 percent of his field goal attempts, while Carlson has made 79.7 percent. For comparison, among the 31 kickers with at least 20 field goal attempts last season, Carlson was 23rd with a success rate of 81.8 percent. This does not include extra points, where Carlson missed another five kicks.
After Carlson’s rocky rookie season, the Packers signed four kickers. Two of those players are staying. Joseph, who kicked for the Vikings the last three seasons, has made some headway, but he hit just 3 of 7 on Wednesday. Rookie Alex Hale hit just 4 of 8 on Tuesday after a solid first day.
There’s little reason to believe this competition is anywhere near the finish line, but someone has to step up.
EN Brenton Cox
Brenton Cox had a productive week of practice last week, but that didn’t translate to the game. He had a chance to make a spectacular play against the Browns, but missed a potential sack
Cox missed 40 percent of his tackle attempts last week. Yes, that’s a small sample size, but those are the plays someone on the roster needs to make.
The Packers have a competitive second half of their roster, and Cox was able to crack that last year in part because of his disruptive nature and talent, which the team was willing to bet on.
“I just knew (defensive coordinator Jeff) Hafley wanted to cause trouble in the backfield, and I know I can do that,” Cox said earlier in camp.
“I just had to get back there, put my hands up, put pressure on the quarterback and cause TFLs. I knew that was going to be something I wanted to be a part of.”
The Packers typically like to keep more players in the trenches, but with the ability to keep three quarterbacks, that means one less spot on the roster than usual. The limited value on special teams is why Cox only played in four games as a rookie. He needs to show he can play a role in that phase as well.
CB Eric Stokes
In a 12-snap cameo against the Browns last week, Stokes looked quick and physical.
This week presents a different challenge. Courtland Sutton is someone he will likely see a lot at Friday’s practice.
The Broncos’ situation at quarterback is unclear, but they have some talented receivers. Competition at cornerback has been hampered by Carrington Valentine’s hamstring injury, which kept him out of action for most of the last two weeks.
Stokes putting together another solid week should give him plenty of confidence as he prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles’ dynamic duo of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith in Week 1.
RB AJ Dillon
AJ Dillon didn’t have much of a chance last week.
After contact he had 7 yards, but only 2 total yards on four attempts.
The 0.5-yard average drew ire from fans who wished the team would go in a different direction after Dillon struggled for nearly two years.
What happened Saturday wasn’t his fault. Dillon couldn’t have escaped some of those backfields even if he was Barry Sanders.
Nevertheless, Emanuel Wilson is having another good training camp. MarShawn Lloyd is a top 100 pick.
When you add all of these things up, Dillon needs to have a few good days on the field.
At the very least, it will boost Dillon’s confidence if he plays well in August.
The Packers will likely rely on Dillon in passing situations to start the season. He is their best running back in pass defense and a capable receiver out of the backfield.
Some of these skills must be used on the field, otherwise he risks losing to Lloyd or Wilson.
More news from the Green Bay Packers training camp
It was another busy day in the #Packer Training camp with some field goal follies, some crazy 2-minute drills and Jaire Alexander at his best.
Here’s what you need to know from the 15th practice of the camp. ⬇️https://t.co/I8xf8aze0B
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) 15 August 2024
Latest news and analysis: The Packers’ new linebacker, Chris Russell | New Packers running back Nate McCrary | Quarterback battle | Packers sign running back | Packers sign linebacker | 53-man squad projection (Westendorf) | Waiting game: Love vs. Williams | Injury Updates | No. 1 Recipient and vomit | 53-man projection (Huber) | Gold, silver and bronze after week 3 of the camp
Highlights of the training camp:Exercise 15 | Exercise 14 | Exercise 13 | Exercise 12 | Exercise 11 | Family night | Exercise 9 | Exercise 8 | Exercise 7 | Exercise 6 | Exercise 5 | Exercise 4 | Exercise 3 | Exercise 2 | Exercise 1
