Five Under the Radar Packers Who Made a Positive Impression at OTAs and Minicamp
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers have ended OTAs, and mandatory minicamp. The team will not be back on the field until training camp opens in late July.
While most people focused on the progress of starting quarterback Jordan Love and first round pick Lukas Van Ness, many lesser-known players were making a good first impression on Matt LaFleur and the rest of the coaching staff.
Here are five unheralded players who made a good first impression at OTAs and mandatory minicamp:
Edge Brenton Cox
Cox is an interesting story. He has the talent to be an early round draft pick but had off the field issues that got him kicked off two college teams including Georgia and Florida.
He has speed off the edge to get to the quarterback and would almost be a 14th draft pick for the Packers this year if he can stay out of trouble and dedicate himself to the game.
Cox showed his talent at times at OTAs and minicamp but needs to show he can consistently be a good teammate as well as a good football player. If he does, he has a chance to make the roster as an undrafted free agent.
RB Tyler Goodson
Goodson made the practice squad last season after leading the team in rushing yards in the preseason. He is battling with incumbent Patrick Taylor and rookie seventh round pick Lew Nichols for the third running back spot.
Goodson is a dynamic runner and is effective with the ball in his hand. But can he do the other things the Packers coaching staff is looking for from their third running back including blitz pickup, catching the ball out of the backfield and perhaps most importantly, contributing on special teams?
If Goodson shows progress in those areas at training camp, he has a good chance to make the team.
CB Carrington Valentine
Valentine was the first of four picks by the Packers in the seventh round of this year’s draft. The Kentucky alum has exceeded expectations at OTAs and in minicamp.
Head coach Matt LaFleur has praised Valentine’s work saying, “I thought ‘CV’ has done an unbelievable job. You can really see the body movement skills that he possesses, and he’s been working hard. I think there’s been some great lessons along the way, but he’s a guy that certainly has the talent. It’s going to be on him to put it all together and go out there and do it in the preseason.”
Valentine may not see a lot of action on defense once the regular season starts but if he continues to play well in training camp and the preseason, he could earn a roster spot and contribute extensively on special teams as a rookie.
WR Malik Heath
The undrafted free agent out of Ole’ Miss has gotten off to a good start at OTAs and minicamp. At 6’3” and 215 pounds, he has the size the Packers prefer in their receivers.
Heath saw action with the first and second-string teams during OTAs and made the most of his chances.
All Heath has done is make plays at practice nearly every day. That’s essential for a player who is a longshot to make the roster.
The wide receiver room is crowded but Heath is making a case for the final roster spot (if the Packers keep six wideouts) or at least a practice squad berth.
QB Sean Clifford
The Packers drafted Clifford in the fifth round of this year’s draft. He’s currently battling Danny Etling for the backup quarterback spot.
Scouts have questioned Clifford’s arm strength but love his football IQ, leadership, and toughness.
At OTAs, Clifford shined in front of reporters during two-minute drills. He knew where to go with the football and got it there.
It’s possible GM Brian Gutekunst will bring in an experienced veteran to compete for the backup quarterback job before training camp starts, but Clifford made a solid first impression during offseason practices.
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Comments (51)
PhantomII
June 17, 2023 at 01:00 pm
I would like to see ANY RB used more in a rotation, especially since we should be running it more often this season. Likely either AJ or Dillon will not be here next season...so there is that also. Maybe if we get Gary a fresh contract, we can pry B. Baker from AZ and let Savage walk next season for a pick or even swap the Safeties outright. I'm overall happy with the S competition and hope someone shows out, maybe Savage finally plays to his draft #. I'm all for the 5-6 top WR's making the 53...no matter drafted or not, someone will get hurt and lose some time. Heath is tall...seems to run smooth, but runs the 40 in 4.6+. He looked faster on the field and did get open a bunch, which is what really matters as well as having good hands. I hope someone on the OL depth pushes for a spot especially in the run game. Same on the DL @stopping the run game. GPG
greengold
June 17, 2023 at 01:48 pm
Great stuff, PhantomII.
Gil, I really, really like every player you mentioned here to make this roster. You inspired me to dig in!
We've all had ideas about this player or that player making the 53, but it really is hard to visualize until you take a swipe at it. This is some of my favorite stuff, being a personnel junkie. I love this side of the game so much, and always build out "way too earlies" just for this very purpose.
Who can make it? Who should make it? Who are the locks? Who are the surprise cuts? Who are the not so surprising cuts? Who can be protected to return later in the season? Who needs a year of development under IR protection? Who might we stash on the PUP for a while early?
Here's my first crack at the Way Too Early 2023 53...
OFFENSE (25)
QB (2) Love, Clifford
RB (3) Jones, Dillon, Goodson
WR (7) Watson, Doubs, Toure, Melton, Reed, Wicks, Heath
TE (4) Deguara, Musgrave, Kraft, Davis
OL (9) Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Tom, Nijman, Walker, Jones, Filiaga, Telfort
DEFENSE (26)
DL (6) Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Ford, Wooden, Brooks
OLB (6) Smith, Van Ness, Enagbare, Hollins, Cox Jr., Odumegwu (Exempt)
ILB (4) Campbell, Walker, McDuffie, Carpenter
CB (5) Alexander, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine, Balentine
S (5) Ford, Moore, Johnson Jr., Gaines, Leavitt
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Carlson
P O’Donnell
LS Orzech
PUP Gary, DuBose
IR Stokes, Nichols III
A couple big changes for us in this. Runyan possibly needs to be upgraded to improve our run blocking. Rhyan was tried at C, and OG early in OTAs, but something tells me that pick might have been a WHIFF by Gutekunst, and that he found better in FA and UDFA. Both need to battle what looks like good competition.
Huge Darnell Savage fan that I am, I've sadly realized his performance grades have tanked abysmally, and I think he loses out this season with the Packers. He gave us one good year, and the importance of quality Safety play is too valuable in improving our D. What we had with Savage wasn't working, and if this doesn't work, Safety becomes a bigger priority next draft, in a richer, deeper S class. Savage has a ton of VOID years added to his deal and I have ZERO CLUE how that works if he's cut or traded.
This is meaningless, being an exercise way, way, way too early, but it does give a sense of what we might have, and what we maybe don't have. We have an extra player added at OLB in Odumegwu since he has a roster exemption via the International Player Program.
Simply took some flyers with PUP/IR. Again, just an exercise to get a better feel for what we are talking about with all the new players, who stays/goes? Guesswork, and more so this early.
Looks like we have got quite a lot of young, promising talents ready to compete for these positions.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 17, 2023 at 04:33 pm
You certainly came out swinging! Runyan would be traded for a day three if he can't crack the 53. Rhyan would be cut of a 3rd rounder after one year. I'll just say that's interesting. I literally never heard of Telfort or Filigia.
TE Davis is a guy who gets cut and re-signed if the Packers need to keep someone on the 53 long enough and then they want to put that player on IR.
I liked Goodson last year. Did he go to school? GB preferred Patrick Taylor, even to the point of releasing him and then re-signing him to get additional PS squad elevations out of him. As a runner, they have different styles with Taylor being more rugged.
DL is interesting. I suspect the sixth DL is not currently on the team. Ditto for safety. Ditton for cornerback. At least, I hope so.
greengold
June 17, 2023 at 04:50 pm
Lol, TGR.
I dunno… Seriously struggle personally talking about players making this team without taking into consideration the battles elsewhere on roster. Last year we kept 2 RBs, allowing 7 WRs. Some years the OL figure has been 8 players.
I really like those 6 DL, but was thinking same if we add a FA anywhere prior to draft, that it would be DL.
WR looks quite good on paper. Savage has underperformed to levels even myself, a Savage fan, has lost faith in him.
I like adding Goodson because of the smaller profile, and the raves he’s been getting recently.
Trying to read tea leaves. You know how the Packers sometimes play a player a lot in starting spots? At times we might consider it a promotion, while the team instead uses it more like a last look before release. Getting those vibes with Rhyan.
Good call on Runyan. I love the guy, but run blocking…
Coldworld
June 18, 2023 at 07:56 am
To be fair, Lewis is a type who will never show up in shorts. Conversely, Goodson is the agile, quick pass catching type who can. Goodson, however, has to show that he can protect before he gets on the field. That we won’t know till camp either, but last year he was deemed not ready. Lewis is supposedly a plus in protection. However, he’s struggled with his hands thus far and didn’t do much with them in college. He’s going to have to be better as at least a basic passing outlet to make the roster. So each has a key challenge unanswerable till the pads are on and contact is real.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 12:16 am
No Rashan Gary?
How many are we allowed on PUP and IR?
greengold
June 18, 2023 at 06:48 pm
I had him on to Reserve PUP, where he would have to miss 4 games, which I think would be fitting in his timetable. Maybe not.
Up to 8 players can go on IR now with designations to return. Maybe that is better for both Gary & Stokes. Just guessing.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 19, 2023 at 04:54 am
:)
Thanks
GregC
June 17, 2023 at 03:16 pm
The drop-off in talent from Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to whoever is the #3 back is quite large. I think it's already somewhat of a problem that carries are being split up between those two, as it prevents either one of them from getting into a groove. So I would not want to see a 3rd RB introduced into the rotation.
PhantomII
June 17, 2023 at 04:36 pm
The problem with that logic is: EVERY POST SEASON RUN....We had an injury at the RB position and ML completely shut down the run game at that point. The problem was ML was not comfortable running out ANY RB to supplement the starter who was lost for the game at that point....SO....That's where I'm coming from with this. Either we need to upgrade the #3 position "MASSIVELY"....or ML needs to know: WHO HE IS...at this point in HIS NFL Coaching career and...CHANGE...for the betterment of the GBP post season strength and part of that is knowing where he has come up short by his decision making and adjust/upgrade the RB position #3 and use them enough for him to be comfortable using the #3 RB. If ANY RB has a hole to run thru....they don't have to be AJ to get us thru a game or get a first down when it's there to be had. On the flip side our WR group was mediocre after D. Adams and no #2 WR at all. This has now been rectified in the last 2 draft cycles...This year and the next we will indeed be deep at WR. I project the WR unit to have 2-potential #1 WR's and 2 #2 WR's and also at least 1-TE who could be #2 in target %. A.Jones could even be target at the #2 target rate in the passing game. Good problems to have. Goodson has twitchy run game like AJ, so time will tell who rises up the depth chart. GPG
GregC
June 17, 2023 at 04:58 pm
That makes sense. There have been some teams that have had a running back by committee approach, with three or even four RBs being used quite often. I'm not sure if this has been intentional in most cases or if it has happened due to injuries during the regular season. On the other hand, I think most successful teams have relied on one or two RBs during the season and through the playoffs. The last Packer team that won the Super Bowl had to lean heavily on James Starks, who was a late season replacement. And the Packer team that won in 1996 basically rode Edgar Bennett and Dorsey Levens, with William Henderson getting some carries as a fullback--but of course, there really aren't any fullbacks anymore. So I still lean toward the two-RB approach, but your idea is not a bad one.
PhantomII
June 17, 2023 at 05:16 pm
Thanks, GregC
The main issue is ML being who he is and overcoming that. In previous post season runs I feel we were inadequate in the WR department after DA when the run game got shut down. Now I don't feel like we will have that issue. It may be a little inconsistent because of youth but next season I really believe we will have great depth there at WR and we will be able to go toe to toe with anyone in the pass game. How we become truly dangerous is when we have the run/pass game to bring against anyone and can win either way or make the other team pay thru the air or on the ground. Most good teams try and stop 1 or the other....I think we will be able to do both well enough to win a bunch of games and more than likely some post season action, partially because we have, I think a better Defense also.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 19, 2023 at 05:05 am
Greg, a lot of this depends on if they want to keep #33. If not, run him to death. If so, it makes sense to play him where only his special talents get the job done, and enough to keep him loose but fresh and injury free for the rest of his career. Then bring in a #3 or even a fourth to see what we have as much as to spread the load. While I'd expect Quadzilla to not only hold up better but also improve more with lots of play time, everybody has a limit.
Can always swap out roster spots later in the season to go down to only 2 RBs to make more room for other positions. Same with TE. I can see the sense in using this approach with both RB and TE, at the expense of both lines and WR; add in more depth on both lines later, and WR too.
Will be interesting to see what they do, as well as if we can tell if it's purely a MLF decision or what he tells us about input from the rest of the coaching staff.
greengold
June 17, 2023 at 05:35 pm
I disagree a bit, Greg, even though we both want better use of our RBs.
In 2021 RB Lew Nichols III had 341 att, 1848 yds, 5.4 ypc 16TDs. Nichols III also added 40 rec for 338 yds, 8.1 ypc and 2 TDs. He’s a high quality, high production RB.
Goodson is too.
I’d love it if they kept all 4, and used them liberally. RUN THE ROCK!
GregC
June 17, 2023 at 09:55 pm
Those are college stats at Central Michigan University--not a big time program. And Nichols was a seventh round draft pick, which means he very well may end up on the practice squad. We really don't know anything yet about what kind of pro he will be. I think it will be an uphill climb for him to beat out Tyler Goodson and/or Patrick Taylor for a roster spot. I would love to see him do it though!
Hematite
June 18, 2023 at 07:47 am
As a Chips fan I would love to see Lew Nichols make it.
I know that the chances are slim but I'm excited to see him give it his best shot.
jannesbjornson
June 18, 2023 at 10:37 am
He should be the # 3.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 19, 2023 at 05:08 am
Patrick Taylor?
GregC
June 19, 2023 at 09:25 pm
Patrick Taylor was the #3 running back last season.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 20, 2023 at 02:15 am
Right, and stout. I'm surprised he's getting skipped over here.
greengold
June 20, 2023 at 06:27 am
From the powerhouse of Memphis… 🙄
LOL. It’s all good, Greg.
Hey, I like Nichols III to take the #3 RB as much or more than Goodson. Not so much Taylor because he doesn’t offer as much being an upright running style, taller RB who seems to lack power/speed/dynamic qualities. That’s what I’ve seen of Taylor since 2020.
Goodson offers a different body type, which I think maybe LaFleur prefers here for 2023.
What I like most is the competition added with Nichols III. May the best man win.
GregC
June 20, 2023 at 07:14 am
Yeah, there's nothing about Taylor that wows you or makes you think he's going to get a lot better. He just seems to be solid and to do everything well. I think pass blocking is one of the biggest factors for determining who will be the #3 RB. When you're down to your #3 RB, you are probably throwing the ball more than usual. I would like a #3 who could be fully trusted to run all the same plays as the top two RBs, though.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 12:19 am
RB is a position we need depth. However they do it, PS or what. I like Lewis but honest competition should determine it.
PackEyedOptimist
June 17, 2023 at 01:26 pm
It's worth noting that Malik Heath was a two-way player in high school and a very good safety who had a number of interceptions. That adds to his likely special teams value. As a receiver, he reminds me of James Jones; he's a burly contested-catch machine.
I'm excited to see Sean Clifford play. Danny Etling looked good last preseason, so it could be a fun battle to watch, especially with all of the young receiver talent. I'm thinking each QB will develop his own favorites; they usually do.
greengold
June 17, 2023 at 01:54 pm
RIGHT ON, PEO!!! I didn't know that about Malik Heath. That could prove to be valuable some day.
mrtundra
June 17, 2023 at 05:12 pm
When the UDFAs for the Packers were announced, Malik Heath was listed as a Safety. I did not realize he was also a WR until OTAs rolled around.. Does this mean he will be a WR more than a Safety? If he's as good as the coaches say, I hope so.
Coldworld
June 18, 2023 at 07:58 am
He’s been a WR through college. He’s been one through the subsequent off season. Typo not insight I think.
stockholder
June 17, 2023 at 01:40 pm
I think you could add Anders Carlson to that list.
Coldworld
June 17, 2023 at 03:14 pm
Fair point. I’d consider the second punter, Whelan, too. He’s caught the eye of a number of media folks for his holding and kicking, which takes some doing as punter 2.
I think another guy who showed up in minicamp was Cotton. The mystery man WR. Fast, good size, keeps getting open and catching after missing at least some of OTAs hurt. Like Andy Herman, I’m going to be watching him in camp closely. Could he be a true cuckoo in the nest?
SicSemperTyrannis
June 19, 2023 at 05:17 am
Cotton, 4.38 40 time. Bo Melton, 4.33. That's serious speed at depth! Hopefully they at least develop well ...
Swisch
June 17, 2023 at 05:09 pm
I appreciate the news about players from offseason practices as a way of sustenance as a Packers fan to get me to training camp.
Otherwise, it's been hard to think of things for me to focus on with the Packers.
***
Looking ahead, while some may be bored with preseason games, I really like them.
After several months without games, even unofficial ones are welcome.
Plus, I really like seeing the rookies as a first impression, and the rookies from last season trying to take a step up.
A fond memory of mine from last preseason was watching the elusiveness of Goodson, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he looks a year later.
***
As far as the starters, I like to see them in preseason games for a quarter or two.
It seems these preseason games would be an important transition for players from training camp practices to regular season games.
It just doesn't seem like a player would get the same adrenaline in a practice -- even joint practices with another team -- as in a preseason game with a lot of the same conditions as in the regular season, including the crowd at Lambeau Field and a television audience.
At the same time, there isn't as much pressure as in the regular season, which seems a good thing.
***
As far as injuries, it seems better to get some work in the preseason than to sit it out.
It seems a preseason game isn't as fierce or physical or fast as in the regular season, plus the schemes seem from opponents seem simpler and less chaotic.
That would seem to help players ease into the regular season, rather than going straight from more than a month of practices in the summer right into the ferocity of regular season games.
Also, if the offensive line is more in sync due to operating together in the preseason, then that should mean less missed blocks in the regular season and less hard hits on our quarterback and other ball carriers.
So, bring on the preseason!
greengold
June 17, 2023 at 06:51 pm
Swisch, we’re very much the same here. Sustenance is the perfect descriptor. I love all of this. Preseason games too, where we’ve seen positions won.
I also prefer we play, rather than not like w AR all these years. Get everybody ready for Game 1. Starters shouldn’t be going into that stone cold.
Great stuff, Swisch.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 12:26 am
Agreed. Another big change from years past. Maybe a few vets are held in reserve so as not to risk injury, but this should really be where final position battles are won, and all the phases of the game start to gel so we're actually ready to compete week 1.
What a nice change that would be!
TxFred
June 17, 2023 at 05:40 pm
Like Clifford Heath & Goodson. Clifford's a sleeper. Long term a real steal. GPG!!!
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 12:27 am
I remember Lewis. I just hope they develop depth at RB
JDH1313
June 17, 2023 at 06:07 pm
I really hope Cox can get his head into football because he could be as good as any of the Edge rushers, I just can't understand why some athlete's have all the talent to be great and they throw it away to be a thug on drugs
greengold
June 17, 2023 at 07:32 pm
Listen to him in his press conferences and you’ll come away thinking differently, is my guess. I was very impressed by him and consider him to have been mostly misunderstood.
Johnblood27
June 18, 2023 at 06:16 am
GG, I am trying to understand Brenton Cox and his path.
How is he related to Bryan Cox and Bryan Cox Jr? IS he related to that Cox?
Bryan Cox was from East St Louis and I surely get how he was wired.
Can you shed any light on the many small off the field issues that Brenton had with both FL and GA? I can find the stuff about his on-field issues, like punching an opponent after he scored, but what were the issues off the field?
greengold
June 18, 2023 at 04:25 pm
Yeah. He had a marijuana arrest in 2018. There were rumors that he was unhappy with being possibly switched to DE when Georgia brought Jermaine Johnson and Nolan Smith into their program.
Sounds to me like Georgia ditched him, pointing to the arrest as the main reason for his release, while insinuating other issues.
The Florida story is another one I question, as Cox Jr. said he wanted out. His decision.
Sounds like Florida piled on him conveniently, like Georgia did. He’s taken a lot of shit with documented reports where both Georgia and Florida were actually mutually agreed upon departures:
https://www.si.com/college/georgia/news/2019-uga-football-olb-brenton-co...
Johnblood27
June 18, 2023 at 09:44 pm
must be an Auburn or Tennessee down vote...
greengold
June 19, 2023 at 05:05 am
War Eagle.
My friend’s grandmother taught her dog how to say “War Eagle.” Imagine… lolz
Guessing Auburn then.
Johnblood27
June 19, 2023 at 08:48 am
Do you wear a tie when you post?
greengold
June 18, 2023 at 04:33 pm
Don’t know if he’s related to the Bryan Cox family.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 12:28 am
Hopefully the NFL changes all that
Ferrari-Driver
June 19, 2023 at 08:34 pm
Sometimes those guys with significant natural talent just don't work out in the NFL. Talking about Cox and the trouble he had in college to the point of getting kicked off two different teams reminded me of a talented player who was drafted in the 1st round in 1996 by the LA Rams. Lawrence Phillips had the talent that many coaches dream about, but Phillips' attitude and conduct was so bad, the Rams wound up releasing him after a couple of years of disappointments. Phillips ultimately landed in prison for running over three teenagers with his truck after a scuffle during a pick up football game in Los Angeles. He allegedly killed his cell mate in prison and later committed suicide.
I sure hope Cox can walk the straight and narrow because I suspect the coaching staff discussed his previous problems and he is probably here on a shorter rope than the other rookies in camp.
fireball
June 18, 2023 at 07:29 am
Interesting choice is edge rusher Brenton Cox who ended up not being drafted at all even though he was a 5-star recruit out of high school and definitely impressive at times at both Georgia and Florida universities where he was dumped by both programs because of disciplinary problems. Impressive physical player with an " edge " to his personality. Aggressive. Thinks for himself. Question is: is he teachable? He might be because he seemed to like Belichick's teaching at the East West Shrine game in 2023.
Good choice by Gute. Brenton might not work out, but certainly worth an undrafted look. And there's always a possibility Brenton could be worth a future draft pick to some other team later in the season.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 06:16 pm
Hopefully Brenton winds up being another Van Ness, or close to it.
vin0770
June 18, 2023 at 03:33 pm
I read four articles about Cox’s dismissals and it doesn’t sound good unless he can flip a switch and change who he is…good luck with that. The Gainesville Sun article had the most candid details and it didn’t read well.
He goes from Florida’s best defensive player to cut from the team. Another article says he’s a top 50 talent for sure but now would drop to mid to late round….how about undrafted!
Speculation is he needs a strong locker room and leader that may make a difference like the Steelers. If that’s the recipe for his success I’m not sure he landed in the right spot.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 18, 2023 at 06:18 pm
It's possible that an opportunity in the NFL gets his head together. Lots of great guys in that locker room. If that doesn't do it I'm not sure a different team would make a difference.
NoNonsense
June 19, 2023 at 02:51 am
Tyler Goodson absolutely makes the 53 man roster this year. You will see, he will be a preseason star easily outshining Taylor and Lew Nichols. He's our replacement for Aaron Jones if they decide not to rework his contract for next year to keep him around again.
He worked hard on his explosion this year and they were working him out of the slot quite a bit through OTAs. Not sure if he improved his pass blocking but I don't think that will matter as much if they use him in the slot or as a gadget guy like I see them doing.
Also love Brenton Cox, that dude is gonna blow some people up. He's got a completely clean slate, I don't care what happened in the past, he's here now and what he does as a GB Packer is all I care about.
SicSemperTyrannis
June 19, 2023 at 05:29 am
NN, maybe they look for Goodson as the eventual replacement for #33, and Taylor for Quadzilla. I hate the idea of moving on from either, but we have at least one more year of lots of dead cap space to get through.
I'd prefer keeping them all of course, but we legitimately might not be able to. Just like it hurt to let go of Jamaal Williams.