When this training camp began, the wide receiver unit for the Packers looked pretty straightforward. You had Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and rookie Amari Rodgers as locks. If you choose to keep six, Devin Funchess and Equanimeous St. Brown would compete for that spot. After that, you pick two or three to fit comfortably on to the practice squad among Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton, Juwann Winfree and Chris Blair.
Two preseason games in, most everything was going according to plan. EQ has had trouble getting and staying on the field, while Funchess had a big first game against Houston and showed he is capable of being a key player in this offense. So that battle seems pretty much decided. Funchess stays, EQ probably goes. Winfree flashed mightily in early camp, but an injury has shelved him as well, so he fits nicely to the PS, along with probably Begelton. Blair is likely out. Nice and neat. Right?
But then there is Malik Taylor. The third year veteran out of tiny Ferris State was expected to go quietly into the night after the drafting of Rodgers and the signing of Cobb. After all, he spent the entire 2019 season on Green Bay’s practice squad, and was a deep reserve on last year ‘s team, finishing with five catches for 66 yards and one touchdown. Contributed a bit on special teams, even had nine kickoff returns. But really, with the new talent in the receiver room, no way Taylor hangs on to make this roster, right?
Well, somebody better tell him. Because he’s playing like a star. Yep. He’s becoming a real problem. The problem being, there’s no room for him, and yet, his play is kicking in the door and screaming “Let me in.”
After posting five catches for 50 yards against the Texans, Taylor put on a show Saturday afternoon against the Jets. In the first quarter, Kurt Benkert dropped back to pass, got immediate pressure up the middle, and bailed out of the pocket to his right. Just before going out of bounds, he launched a dart down the near sideline. Taylor, running hard toward the boundary, caught the ball cleanly but appeared to get only one foot down in bounds, and the pass was ruled incomplete. But replay clearly showed that Taylor, spectacularly, dragged the toe of his trailing foot inside the line while falling down, despite having C.J. Moseley on his back. The call was overturned and it was a brilliant 23 yard gain.
In the second quarter, on third and eight, Taylor runs down the right sideline, stops on a dime, and, with defensive back Bryce Hall’s arms wrapped around his waist, catches a nine yard throw from Benkert for a clutch first down.
Later in the same drive, it’s third and five at the Jets 35. Taylor streaks down the left sideline, but is well covered by Isaiah Dunn, who is stride for stride with him. Benkert loops the pass behind them. Taylor glances back, jumps in the air, twists his body, and snatches the ball for a 21 yard pickup and another first down.
In quarter three, third and eight from Green Bay’s own 36, Taylor beats tight press coverage by Lamar Jackson, reels in another throw, breaks the tackle, and picks up 13 yards to keep yet another drive alive. He finished with four receptions for 66 yards, every catch a critical play.
That is the kind of performance the coaches can’t ignore. If the former small college standout can play that way with third stringer Benkert throwing to him, they have to imagine what he could do with Aaron Rodgers on the other end. If Malik shows well in the final preseason game at Buffalo, they are going to have to make room for him. If they cut him and try to pass him through waivers to the PS, he surely has put enough on film to motivate a receiver-starved team, like the Jets who got an eyeful of him Saturday, to put in a claim.
Seven receivers? That’s going to cost you a spot somewhere else. Maybe there’s enough versatility on the offensive line to get by with seven. Maybe you cut back at safety or corner. Maybe you try to trade him and get a low pick in return. But you gotta do something. This guy deserves a spot on the team.
This guy is a problem. The pleasant kind.
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