When it comes to the Packers, this will be a transition year for them, especially with the trade of Aaron Rodgers. This team will be very young, but they can still shock the world this season. Most of the eyes will be on Jordan Love, who will be in his first season as the Packers’ new starting quarterback. However, other Packers players, including the rookies, could make a huge impact for Green Bay this season.
Here are five under-the-radar Packers players to watch this season.
Under-The-Radar Offensive Packers Players to Watch
Samori Toure (WR)
This will be a young receiving core for the Packers on offense. We all know to expect big things from Christain Watson, Romeo Doubs, and even rookie Jayden Reed. However, there is a player that is forgotten in the group, Samori Toure. He was a seventh-round draft pick from last year’s Draft and did not get much playing time but showed flashes when he was on the field.
At times there were a good amount of plays he was open, but Aaron Rodgers seemed not to pull the trigger and throw the ball to him. Now he will get his chance to start in his second year and could be a major piece in this offense. The coaching staff has really spoken highly of him, and it sounds like he should be a part of the Packers’ offense this season. It should be a big year for Toure.
Josiah Deguara (TE)
This could be a nice year for 2020 third-round pick Josiah Deguara. Yes, the Packers did draft two tight ends, making him the third tight end on the depth chart. However, that doesn’t mean he will be used less on offense. It helps Deguara be used more in his true role as the H-back that Matt Lafluer wants to have in this offense. Last season he did very well in his role, especially when it came to blocking in the run game.
In the passing game last year, Deguara was actually open quite a bit, but Rodgers seemed not to want to throw to him. In fact, Rodgers did not really use the tight ends as much last season. That will change when Jordan Love is at quarterback. The few times he played he targeted Deguara quite a bit. Look for good production from Josiah Deguara, as he will also be in the last year of his rookie contract this season.
Dontayvion Wicks (WR)
Dontayvion Wicks, this year’s fifth-round pick, really has the tools to be a very good wide receiver. He showed that in 2021 when he had over 1,000 receiving yards. His down year in 2022 was not all on him, as the offensive system he was in wasn’t a fit, and the quarterback play was not good. He showed out in the Senior Bowl with his speed, just running by opposing defenders.
He could be in a rotation for the Packers at wide receiver, as he could be projected to be the fourth or fifth on the depth chart. Also, due to his size, he can be used in the red zone as he can win the 50/50 balls. The Packers hope Wicks can get back to what he was in 2021, and if he does, he could be in for a very productive rookie season.
Under-The-Radar Defensive Packers Players to Watch
T.J. Slaton (DT)
One of the defensive Packers players to watch this season is T.J. Slaton. On limited snaps, Slaton took that next step in his second season. His best game was in the Packers’ loss to the New York Giants, where he was simply dominating the line of scrimmage. It was very questionable on why he was not seeing more snaps, especially when Dean Lowry was not playing well.
However, in the second half of the season, his snap count increased when Lowry went on injured reserve. When Slaton played more, the defensive line as a whole got much better. Now that Dean Lowry is no longer with the Packers, that means Slaton will get his chance to be a starter this year. He will have to earn it, as the Packers did draft two defensive linemen this year to give more competition to him. Slaton, in his third year, will look to have a huge role on defense.
Kingsley Enagbare (DE)
Green Bay is pretty loaded at edge rusher this year. One of the reasons is Kingsley Enagbare, who is another one of the Packers players that will have a bigger role on defense. Last year as a rookie, he got much better down the stretch and stepped up when Rashan Gary went down with a torn ACL. Now in his second season, he will look to make that jump.
Even with the drafting of Lukas Van Ness this year, Enagbare will still get a lot of snaps, especially with Gary maybe missing the start of the season. Building off a strong finish from his rookie year would really give a huge boost to the Packers’ defense. If Kingsley Enagbare can improve this year, then look out for the Packer pass rush.
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