The Green Bay Packers expect to sit starters and veterans during Sunday night’s preseason clash with the Denver Broncos, giving lower-ranked players a chance to get extra reps in live action. Friday’s joint practice in Denver provided Jordan Love and the other starters with much-needed work. Now, they can watch from the sidelines as other teammates try to earn spots on the roster.
Last week in Cleveland, second-year quarterback Grant DuBose parlayed a robust start to training camp into a stellar performance in the preseason opener. Who could be DuBose this week?
Here are some players to watch on Sunday evening:
WR Bo Melton
His preseason opener in Cleveland didn’t go as planned — Melton dropped a jet sweep and dropped two or three passes in a disappointing overall performance. It’s unclear how much he’ll play in Denver, but Melton has a chance to rebound in a substantial way. The competition at wide receiver is getting tougher — DuBose is looking more and more like a sure thing — so Melton needs a rebound. Remember, he made substantial plays against starters in substantial games to end last season, and the Packers love his elite speed and tenacity as a blocker. Malik Heath could also apply a substantial play or two on Sunday night.
OL Jacob Monk
The rookie fifth-round pick is starting to get touchdowns with the first-team offense as a right guard, and the Packers believe he can play all three interior positions. Monk had 61 touchdowns in the first preseason game — 33 as a right guard, 11 as a left guard and 17 as a center. While Monk may be unlikely to start at right guard — that battle is between Jordan Morgan and Sean Rhyan — it looks increasingly like Monk will be a valuable interior contributor as a rookie. Also on the offensive line, expect Rhyan to get more touchdowns as a center, as the Packers train him at center.
RB Emanuel Wilson
The Broncos signed Wilson as a free agent after the 2023 draft but released him three days later, setting the stage for his arrival in Green Bay a week later. A year later, after leading the NFL in rushing yards in the final preseason, Wilson returned to Denver to play a preseason game while competing for a spot on the Packers’ 53-man roster. He’s substantial and rapid, and his running talent is obvious — the Packers just need to see more of the little things like blocking and catching in a live game. Playing against his former team is a great opportunity.
Quarterback Michael Pratt
The rookie was impressive in his NFL debut in Cleveland and has closed in on Sean Clifford for the role of Jordan Love’s backup. Pratt has a good arm and isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. Even if Clifford starts, the rookie quarterback could get at least half the workload Sunday night. It’s a substantial chance for Pratt — who was 5-of-7 in the preseason opener — to make another move in the quarterback competition.
FROM Arron Mosby
While Brenton Cox Jr. is likely the favorite if the Packers keep five defensive ends, Mosby has consistently made plays during training camp — including a fourth-down pass breakup in the preseason opener — and makes the competition compelling. After spending time as an off-ball linebacker in the senior 3-4 defense, Mosby sees himself as a 4-3 defensive end.
TE Joel Wilson
Wilson, an undrafted free agent in the 2023 class, caught three passes for 30 yards and was impressive as a blocker — both in the line and in motion — in the preseason opener. He can really run and was surprisingly physical. The Packers like the way he runs routes in the passing game, so don’t be surprised if he’s an busy target for Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt. There’s a good chance Wilson has shown enough this summer to stay on the practice squad. While that’s still unlikely, could he make a run for a spot on the roster down the road?
CB Robert Rochell
Rookie Kalen King is competing for a roster spot, but Rochell — who has experience at cornerback and a wealth of value on special teams — isn’t making it any easier. In Cleveland, Rochell broke up a pass on fourth down and made an impressive special teams tackle after beating a double team block. King continues to make standout plays, so Rochell will have to keep up with the rookie to keep his roster spot.
K Greg Joseph
Does anyone want to win the Packers’ kicking competition? Joseph, a veteran, still has the edge in training camp, but he’s had too many missed shots this past week. It’s worth noting that both Joseph and Anders Carlson were perfect kickers in the preseason opener and Friday’s joint practice, so they’re kicking at significant times. The Packers need one of their kickers to get off the field. Joseph has a substantial leg, which gives Matt LaFleur plenty of range if he wants to try some long, high-pitched kicks Sunday night.
