Packers rookie starting to heat up in training camp
Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Grant DuBose finally found his way onto the practice field last week after missing the offseason with a back injury and it didn't take him long to start making his mark. Per reports, DuBose has been making a lot of plays in practice since the Packers returned home from Cincinnati: […]
Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Grant DuBose finally found his way onto the practice field last week after missing the offseason with a back injury and it didn't take him long to start making his mark.
Per reports, DuBose has been making a lot of plays in practice since the Packers returned home from Cincinnati:
During Sunday’s practice, primarily working with the third-team offense, DuBose had a pair of receptions on passes from Alex McGough, including one for a touchdown.
Then on Monday, during one-on-ones, DuBose was matched up with Carrington Valentine, who has been lights out as of late and playing with the starting defense in Jaire Alexander’s absence. Valentine would get the best of DuBose on the first two reps, but on the third time through, DuBose got a step on Valentine going down the left sideline and made the catch.
In the team portion, after spending most of Sunday with the threes, DuBose was working with the second unit often and made a few more catches in practice, frequently attacking the middle portion of the field. – Paul Bretl, Packers Wire
DuBose has to shine on Saturday against the New England Patriots
The seventh-round rookie didn't play against the Bengals on Friday, so it's imperative that he balls out when he steps onto the field against the Patriots. Assuming he gets on the field, of course.
But where DuBose really needs to stand out is on special teams. It's highly doubtful the Packers carry more than six receivers on the final roster and the top-5 looks set with Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Samori Toure, and Dontayvion Wicks. Right now, it looks to be a three-way battle for that sixth spot and Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and DuBose are the competitors.
Therefore, whomever wins the job needs to show they can play teams effectively. NFL teams -nor college teams- will never put six receivers on the field at the same time and they rarely put five wideouts on the field, so anyone past the WR4 position has to be a capable player. Typically, receivers play the gunner position on punt returns and they can also be involved on kick returns. If they're not returning the kicks, themselves.
How the Packers use DuBose on Saturday and how performs will be big factors in his current ascension, so to speak. It's good to see him making waves this early and it'll be interesting to see if he can keep it up.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
