Cory's Corner: Trevor Davis could be the Packers' No. 3 WR

It’s only the first week of Packers training camp, but Trevor Davis has forced people to remember his name.

After Day 1, he was making one-handed catches in addition to using his fifth-gear speed to scoot past just about everyone. His start has been so good that Davis should be considered right now as a contender for the No. 3 wide receiver.

“Off to a good start,” said Packers offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett. “Continues to learn the playbook, obviously.”

That can be taken as a shot at Jeff Janis. Entering his third season, one would think he would have route running, the playbook and offensive communication down cold.

However, that hasn’t happened. Janis is looking more and more like a Jarrett Bush reboot — someone known just for his special teams skills.

Then there’s Davante Adams. Coming off a season in which he not only struggled physically, he couldn’t get it together mentally either with six drops. He hasn’t exactly shown that last year was a fluke.

Abbrederis is a wild card. He runs excellent routes, has great hands and has immense respect from Aaron Rodgers and the coaching staff. The problem is something that he cannot control: injuries.

Finally, is Ty Montgomery running out of time? Will he back soon from arguably the worst ankle sprain known to man? I have no idea, because the Packers have treated his injury like a UFO or Area 51.

While all of that is going on, Davis continues to make excellent toe-tapping snags with lightning-quick moves — and he’s doing it against a great secondary. Obviously, a big question mark is if he can continue making plays when the pads come on.

The kryptonite of the Packers receiving corps over the years has been press coverage. Heavy physicality takes the receivers off their routes and throws timing with Rodgers out the window.

If Davis can consistently win one-on-one battles with press coverage in practice, he’s your new No. 3 wideout.

“It’s a long way to go before we start playing regular season football, so each and every day he has to make most of those opportunities and apply,” Bennett said.

Davis’ education began two years ago when he first started catching passes from Jared Goff, who was compared to Rodgers before being drafted No. 1 overall last April. And now he’s getting more pinpoint passes as a pro.

As a fifth rounder, Davis wasn’t supposed to be this good this fast. Then again, it’s really not that surprising. He came from a passing offense in college and his quarterback rewards students of the game.

It’s only the first week, but Davis looks more at ease with the playbook and general route-running than Janis. He’s just going out and playing as opposed to thinking about it, which is killing Adams. And he’s got a leg up on Abbrederis on Montogmery, simply because he’s healthier.

Davis would be a perfect complement with Jordy Nelson because he can make defenses pay underneath, while Nelson takes the top off the secondary.

“Our scouting department once again did an outstanding job,” said Bennett.

Everyone knew that wide receiver would provide the most drama in camp. Nobody figured that most of the drama would be coming from the guy that was the 17th of 31 wide receivers drafted.

 

 

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (41)

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Bearmeat's picture

July 30, 2016 at 06:26 am

Whoa. Slow down Secretariat. Davis has had 2 good practices out of 3. LOOOOOONG way to go before we can really say that he's in the drivers seat for playing time as a rookie. By general rule, rookies don't play on offense in GB.

I still think the job is Adams to lose. He's the combination of most polished and physical outside WR we have after Jordy.

Monty could factor in, but he has to get healthy. Abby is not an outsider WR. Janis may not ever figure it out. We don't really know what we have with Davis yet.

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croatpackfan's picture

July 30, 2016 at 06:47 am

In general I agree with you Bearmeat...Every season same story... This story was same with Jeff Janis. Suddenly, Jeff is not so good as it looks like in his first few days of TC. Only one objection. Abby played all position for Badgers, slot, outside, underneath etc... And he was very good. Jared felt because there was some strange reports that he already had 6 concussions before draft which is nonsence. He had 2 concussions and last season TC was 3rd. That is official. The most severe was last season TC.
Davis is really inetersting (in the best way) prospect. I think he will see field in the offense earlier than Jeff saw it, but it is clear that at the start of the season Adams is no 3 WR for Packers - or better to say - starter... Something very ugly has to happen Adams lose his No 3 WR spot....

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Matt Weiske's picture

July 30, 2016 at 11:10 am

Jeff?! I didn't realize you and Janis were on a first name basis :-P

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marpag1's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:04 am

Ah, you know how it is Bearmeat... ya been on a bit of a dry spell, been a pretty long time since you had a top-quality wideout, hard to control your enthusiasm cuz you're really REALLY looking forward to it ........... yeah, this is pretty much the very definition of premature hype.

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Point-Packer's picture

July 30, 2016 at 12:31 pm

Adams is "polished and physical"????? Are you on drugs? Did you watch Green Bay play last year?

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Packmaniac's picture

July 30, 2016 at 04:13 pm

Point Packer with a great point.

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Allan Murphy's picture

August 03, 2016 at 06:20 am

Mind reading now are we lol.

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dobber's picture

August 03, 2016 at 08:39 am

**waves hand**

These are not the WR you are looking for...

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Packer_Pete's picture

July 30, 2016 at 06:53 am

the job will be the one who can run routes consistently well and also catch the ball. Number 1 is not the strength of Janis, and number 2 is not the strength of Dropvante. Therefore, Davis has to be in the conversation, even if there is a long way to go in TC. I am encouraged by his practices so far. Adams just doesn't have "it". Janis will be great on ST but not sure he can be anything more than a guy you send downfield as a decoy really.

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NickPerry's picture

July 30, 2016 at 07:57 am

Personally I don't care who's the Packers 3rd WR, just so someone steps up. I didn't know Adams was struggling again catching the ball, but if he is he should be treated no differently than any other WR on the roster. We all assumed Adams would be great because he was drafted in the 2nd round by TT, but that doesn't guarantee he'll be the next Nelson, Cobb, or Jennings. Matter of fact what's the saying when we assume? You make an ASS of U and ME?. If he's still dropping the damn ball at the end of TC then he deserves to be cut before say Abby or anyone else who's catching the ball and it where he should be and when.

Montgomery's injury is just bumming me out. Still a long ways to go before week one and he could come off the PUP list anytime. But the Packers offense REALLY struggled after his injury last year.

If it's Davis who turns out to have the most to offer the #3 spot then Davis it is. Just because he was drafted in the 5th doesn't mean he couldn't have a Greg Jennings or James Jones type impact his rookie year.

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marpag1's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:00 am

"Davis would be a perfect complement with Jordy Nelson because he can make defenses pay underneath, while Nelson takes the top off the secondary."

Wait... so now the guy that everybody gushed and raved about for supposedly running the 40 faster than the speed of sound is going to be our man working the underneath?

Per NFL.com: "Track speed doesn't translate underneath. Needs runway to get going and can't hit jets out of his breaks for separation. Needs to improve hard vertical push to clear space for comebacks and outs. One­-speed, rounded routes need work. Struggles to release cleanly against quality press coverage."

I think I'll wait and see how this shakes out first.

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Allan Murphy's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:10 am

Time will tell the next 4 weeks we will fined out hoo the #3 guy at WR .

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PortlandMark's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:14 am

Off topic again but I just read the last Caring Bridge update for Adam Czech. He is recovering from surgery and the prognosis is good. He had a lot of cancer inside his body and still has a long road ahead. So far our "Surviving Sunday" writer looks to be on the road to better days.

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NickPerry's picture

July 30, 2016 at 09:18 am

Thanks Mark! Give em hell Adam!!

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Matt Weiske's picture

July 30, 2016 at 11:16 am

Way to go, Adam! Keep fighting, man. Kick cancer's ass. Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way.

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Tundraboy's picture

August 01, 2016 at 07:54 am

Yay!

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Since'61's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:57 am

I would be fine if Davis earns the #3 spot. The key for now is that everyone remain healthy so that the coaches can legitimately evaluate the rookies and UDFAs. I'm hoping that once we get past the HOF game most of our PUP guys will return and get their reps in prior to week one. We have 5 offensive players on the PUP and 4 of them are starters and Montgomery is a critical piece of the offense when he is on the field. It would also be nice to see Jordy and Cook on the field before the season begins. Long way to go. Thanks, Since '61

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egbertsouse's picture

July 30, 2016 at 09:55 am

I like any article that gives me hope that Dropvante Adams will be gone.....

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Point-Packer's picture

July 30, 2016 at 12:34 pm

Can I get an amen?

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EdsLaces's picture

July 30, 2016 at 10:24 am

We will trot out Jordy Cobb and Adams game 1 (if Jordy is healthy) no way Adams gets passed up. Even though a WR that can't catch is ....pretty much worthless? ......You got this Czech!!!

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Handsback's picture

July 30, 2016 at 10:54 am

No wr will win anything before the 3rd pre-season game. It's Adam's to lose but from the camp reports he's not doing well.

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Matt Weiske's picture

July 30, 2016 at 11:22 am

It's all between the ears with Davante. If he could just get over this mental hurdle, I think he'd be fine.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 30, 2016 at 11:35 am

These tweets about Abby standing out in practices are great. Also, MM saying he's looking for 5 to 6 WRs that can play multiple positions is telling.

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Mojo's picture

July 30, 2016 at 11:51 am

"Trevor Davis could be the Packers' No. 3 WR" - you could say this about any of the 3 thru 7 receivers.

It's not going to happen unless he can beat press coverage. As marpag noted he struggled to release cleanly in college. He's a thin wiry guy who will now be going against even stronger experienced corners and safeties. That part of his game is only going to get harder. Especially since the MO on Packers receivers is to press them now.

Nice that he flashed a little in mostly non-contact TC action, but I'd expect him to fight for the 5 thru 7 spots much more than the 3.

Considering how the Pack generally bring in players slowly, I can't see him in the 3 role unless there's a confluence of injuries.

"And he’s got a leg up on Abbrederis on Montogmery, simply because he’s healthier." - poor Abby, even when he's healthy he's injured.

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LeagueObsrvr's picture

July 31, 2016 at 12:33 am

Davis has to learn the playbook before we can entertain thoughts of him penciled in as "the third starter". And Abbrederis had a great practice today too, by the way, so let's not get ahead of ourselves. McCarthy also made a remark in his presser that seems to indicate the Packers may not be keeping 7 wide receivers on the final roster. It's still very early, we haven't even had a preseason game yet.

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TarynsEyes's picture

July 30, 2016 at 04:31 pm

I'm not sure McCarthy said he's only keeping x number of receivers but would like x number to be able to play 4 positions.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 30, 2016 at 03:20 pm

"The kryptonite of the Packers receiving corps over the years has been press coverage."

Agreed, so does anyone who has been to practice know if they are getting press coverage at all? I'm not sure the Packers are a good press coverage team, but the offense needs to see press in practice if they want to be able to beat it in the game.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 30, 2016 at 03:38 pm

Good point. On the flip side, I'd hope our CBs would stop giving so much cushions to WRs and get more physical at the snap.

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lucky953's picture

July 30, 2016 at 05:27 pm

Yes Jeremy. Both Cobb and Abbredaris reported making an effort to add muscle this offseason, partly to prevent injury but I think to better fight off the press. Davis is particularly slight of frame, so he may have a problem getting jammed. AR won't like that.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:11 pm

I'm glad they are muscling up but that is not the same as practicing against press coverage. There is a considerable amount of hand and foot work that goes into it. Almost like pass rushing.

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lucky953's picture

July 30, 2016 at 05:29 pm

I think the most important thing for the Packers receiving corps this year is the addition of Luke Getsy. I really like what I've read about him so far. These guys are going to run better routes and catch more balls just because he's On It.

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chs's picture

July 30, 2016 at 05:47 pm

The Pack have a little problem on there hands.....Trevor Davis is to Valuable to risk injury, on kickoff or punt returns, now on another Note Abmaj9.. the Packers have done it again, a Star is born, does he know it, is he asking to re do his Contract.......stay tuned, meanwhile the wide receiver musical chair continues, the cream is coming up, let me add, you want to try real hard to make this team the Packer Brand is about Greatness and we going to Texas......david starts Jami Ohio Players "Sweet Sweet Sticky thing"

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holmesmd's picture

July 31, 2016 at 01:10 pm

Huh? WTH? Lol

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stockholder's picture

July 30, 2016 at 06:35 pm

I love the hype of Davis. Much rather see him on the field than the PS. If he catches just 3 passes he's their #3. Why worry about the playbook, if A-rod connects with him. The sooner we get Drop Adams out of here. The better! Forget about the comp -pick. Keep Davis, Janis, and Abbey. If Montgomery can't run a 4.5, show him the door too.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 30, 2016 at 06:53 pm

"Why worry about the playbook, if A-rod connects with him?"

But how would A-Rod conn....never mind.

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stockholder's picture

July 31, 2016 at 04:15 am

"If Davis can consistently win one-on-one battles with press coverage in practice, he’s your new No. 3 wideout." -

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DrealynWilliams's picture

July 31, 2016 at 01:53 pm

"If any WR can consistently win one-on-one battles with press coverage in PRACTICE, he's your new No. x wideout." -

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al bundy's picture

July 30, 2016 at 11:10 pm

Well know soon enough. Personally not putting faith in monty. Could be a retired phy unable to perform? Janis, got to be make or break time. Can he just be special teM guy? If not could be gone too and abby wins the day.

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EdsLaces's picture

July 31, 2016 at 10:28 am

THINKING OF ADAM TODAY! KICK CANCERS ASS BUDDY!!!

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holmesmd's picture

July 31, 2016 at 01:14 pm

Does anyone know how on god's earth Janis would have problems beating press coverage?! He's a big strong dude and probably the strongest WR on the roster. He also has speed to run by the CB if he beats the press. Janis & Nelson definitely shouldn't have much trouble beating press coverage. Man up fellas!

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Finwiz's picture

August 02, 2016 at 02:31 pm

I liked 11's fluid movement in the family night scrimmage, but he looks like he needs 10-15 pounds and strength to beat the jam he's sure to see. If he can't get off the LOS he won't be able to flash that speed. It's a stretch to suggest he's going to be the number 3 this year, even with the way 17 can't seem to catch a cold on a consistent basis.

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