With mandatory minicamp in full swing, we finally get insight into some of the most hotly anticipated storylines in Green Bay.
FollowingDavante Adams‘ departure, the wide receiver battles will be the summer blockbuster for the Packers. With three rookie receivers and free-agent acquisitionSammy Watkinsin the mix along with the returningRandall Cobb,Amari Cooper, andAllen Lazard(we think),其实每一个人都在猜测谁会玩major roles in Matt LaFleur’s offense.Aaron Rodgersis always good at elevating receivers, and it’ll be exciting to see who emerges as his favorite targets.
However, some fringe wideouts from last season have gotten lost in the mix, includingJuwann Winfree．A summer standout before last season, Winfree had a career-high 143 snaps on offense. Can he convert his strong off-seasons and make an impact on the active roster in 2022?
Winfree was one of the stars of last season’s off-season program and built up a nice rapport withJordan Love．他把名单的机会很小seemingly stacked wide receiver group, but Winfree turned heads by making the most of every opportunity the Packers offered him. There wasn’t a day in training camp where Winfree wasn’t making plays.
Unfortunately, a shoulder injury shattered Winfree’s hopes of proving himself in the preseason. The Packers released Winfree following final cuts but signed him to the practice squad.
Winfree spent most of 2021 ping-ponging between the practice squad and active roster thanks to the NFL’s new practice squad rules. The Packers elevated Winfree against the Chicago Bears in Week 6, but Rodgers did not target him. He saw his first major action in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, where he caught four of his six targets for 30 yards. Winfree would bounce back and forth from the practice squad again until claiming a place on the roster before Week 15, where he would remain the rest of the season.
Winfree did not catch a touchdown pass, and he didn’t emerge as a go-to option for Rodgers. However, Winfree earned offensive snaps, and Rodgers occasionally targeted him. He had more targets, catches, and yards thanMalik Taylorand rookieAmari Rodgers．As far as fringe roster players went, Winfree had a successful year. He was able to gain valuable NFL experience, put out some tape, and stay with the Packers.
The off-season program is just getting started, but already Winfree is turning heads again in June. He had the play of the day on the first day of mandatory minicamp. Winfree had a spectacular leaping 31-yard touchdown catch (overJaire Alexanderno less!) in the two-minute drill. His connection with Love appears strong, and his lightning-quick release was on display yet again.
The reporters who attended practice have praised Winfree’s work ethic, confidence, and body language thus far. Winfree was the first in line for every wide receiver drill and caught everything thrown his way. His confidence is on full display with every success, and the coaches love his potential.
“For the most part, the coaches want to see me master the system,”Winfree told reportersTuesday, “see me being as confident as I can and be consistent throughout the whole year. That’s really it for me. They believe in me; they know I can ball. They see what attributes I bring to the table. For me, it’s just making that next step of showing I can play every position, and [that] I can be counted on every single time.”
It’ll be hard to keep Winfree off the roster if he stays healthy and consistent. But while the Packers’ wide receiver room is unproven, it’s also crowded.
Lazard presumably enters the season as WR1, with Cobb andAmari Rodgersright behind him. Christian Watson andRomeo Doubsare locks. It’s hard to seeSammy Watkinsnot making the final roster the way the Packers have talked about him thus far. That’s six spots right there, which is usually Green Bay’s sweet spot.
If they keep seven receivers, Winfree will need to compete with special teams aceMalik Taylor, seventh-round rookieSamori图雷, and a host of other UDFAs. It’s also not out of the question that the Packers could sign another veteran sometime this summer or further down the road.Odell BeckhamJr.,Julio Jones, andWill Fullerare all still out there. Should the rookies’ development not be up to par or a player get hurt, the Packers could call any of these veterans.
If Winfree doesn’t make the roster, it’s a safe bet that Green Bay will try to sneak him onto the practice squad again. He’s developing into a go-to option forJordan Love, and that connection is worth fostering, even if Love isn’t QB1.
For his part, Winfree needs to keep doing what he’s doing — making the most of every chance he’s given. Finding a role on special team won’t hurt, either. It’ll be a steep climb for Winfree to make the roster. But if he keeps up his progress, he’ll force the Packers to consider it.
