With the preseason mercifully over, training camp winding down, and the opener only 14 days away, it’s time to reflect on the happenings of the past five weeks. The following is a look at the summer’s six biggest surprises and disappointments:
SURPRISES
1) ROMEO DOUBS
Even with too many drops, the fourth-round pick was easily the second-best wide receiver throughout training camp. Five-year veteran Allen Lazard made more plays, but very few of them left onlookers awestruck. Doubs did that at least once a day. With Davante Adams in Vegas, Marques Valdez-Scantling in Kansas City, and top pick Christian Watson on PUP for most of the summer, the Packers desperately needed somebody to step up at wide receiver. Doubs was that somebody.
2) SPEEDY RECOVERIES
Perhaps because of how long it’s taken All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari to return from his knee injury, most people just assumed Pro Bowl guard Elgton Jenkins and starting tight end Robert Tonyan would begin the season on the PUP list. Instead, both players returned to practice in the middle of training camp and could be available for the season opener. And even if they’re not ready for Week 1, it seems very likely they’ll be back on the field before the end of September.
3) JAKE HANSON
Even with stars David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp, Hanson was still an afterthought to fans and the media in late July. That quickly changed when the third-year pro from Oregon took the field with starters on day one. He’s been there ever since. Hanson’s improvement has been a godsend since third-round pick Sean Rhyan, who was expected to mount a serious challenge for the job at right guard, never did.
4) ISAIAH MCDUFFIE
In almost any other year, the former Boston College star would’ve done enough in camp to be a starter at inside linebacker, but he’ll likely be fourth on the depth chart to start the season. That’s a tribute to the talent at the position. De’Vondre Campbell is coming off an All-Pro season, Quay Walker was the team’s top pick in April’s draft, and Krys Barnes played 1,000 snaps the past two seasons. Thus, for now, McDuffie will likely see most of his action on special teams.
5) ZACH TOM
The former Wake Forest star was my favorite pick in April’s draft, so I wasn’t surprised that he looked good from day one. However, I was surprised that he held his own at four positions on the offensive line. That’s a difficult task for any player, let alone a rookie. The downside to Tom’s rare versatility was an inability to get comfortable at any one spot. Had he been left alone at either right guard or right tackle, he would likely’ve been able to beat out Hanson or Royce Newman.
6) CALEB JONES
The former Indiana star was almost unrecognizable this summer. Not only did he drop about 30 pounds since the end of last season, but he held his own against quality edge rushers – something he rarely did in college. A svelter physique allowed Jones to get out of his stance quicker and move his feet better. That, along with his natural strength and long arms, gives him a chance to be more than a novelty at this level. In fact, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him on the final roster.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
1) SEAN RHYAN
Watching Josh Sitton, T.J. Lang, and Jon Runyan transition easily from college left tackle to NFL guard as rookies probably made expectations a little unrealistic for Rhyan. Still, nobody expected the former UCLA star to look so overwhelmed. He got beat consistently in 1-on-1s in practice, and he wasn’t much better against third and fourth-stringers in the preseason. The right guard job was Rhyan’s for the taking, but he never came close to challenging Hanson.
2) SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s hard to believe a coordinator as accomplished as Rich Bisaccia won’t eventually turn things around, but special teams were horrible this summer. From not having enough players on the field to missing tackles to blocking air on returns, it was like reliving the nightmare of 2021 and Maurice Drayton all over again. If Bisaccia can’t fix a problem plaguing the organization for more than twenty years, maybe the problem lies not on the field but in the personnel department.
3) DEVONTE WYATT
Even with the improved depth and talent on the defensive line, the expectation was for Wyatt to play a substantial role as a pass rusher in the nickel package. That’s unlikely to happen – at least early in the season. The team’s second No. 1 pick from April occasionally flashed in 1-on-1s, but he made very little impact in 11-on-11 drills or the preseason. Wyatt hasn’t looked as explosive as advertised. Perhaps he’s overthinking. Whatever the reason, he’s staring at a lot of bench time.
4) TYLER DAVIS
The coaching staff and general manager Brian Gutekunst said many positive things about the second-year tight end throughout the spring, and of course, the local beat reporters overreacted. Maybe Davis only looked like the real deal because he was being compared to Josiah Deguara and Marcedes Lewis. In reality, the former high school quarterback and college wide receiver was never going to be more than a decent No. 3 tight end. Still, he hasn’t even been that this summer.
5) BACKUP OLBs
Fifth-round pick Kingsley Enagbare was better than expected, but none of the top returnees behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith really stepped up in training camp. Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, and La’Darius Hamilton looked pretty much the same as they did at the end of last season. That’s why unheralded street free agent Kobe Jones will at least give Gutekunst something to think about come Tuesday morning. The first-year player from Mississippi State had a nice summer.
6) SAMMY WATKINS
Like many veterans, perhaps the 29-year-old is simply saving himself for the season. Still, it would’ve been nice to see Watkins show more in training camp. Big plays in practice were few and far between, especially against the top three corners. The former Clemson star figures to see a decent number of snaps in September and October, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see his time on the field begin to dwindle as Doubs and Watson get more comfortable in the offense.
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Another surprise would have to be the play of Tyler Goodson – the free agent RB from Iowa. He has exceeded expectations with his running and receiving skills and has a 50% chance to make the 53 player roster – either Goodson or Patrick Taylor. His only question is the ability to block and pick up blitzes. But a real nice free agent pick up for the Packers.
I wasn’t surprised by Goodson at all. He was exactly the impressive player I saw on tape at Iowa. Honestly, the real surprise was him not being drafted.
https://packersnotes.com/2022/05/16/monday-musings-tyler-goodson/