The Green Bay Packers got off to a fast start in their 23-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns in their first game of the 2024 NFL preseason. Jordan Love played just one series but hit second-year wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard touchdown. The Packers never looked back as Jeff Hafley’s new defensive scheme kept the Browns in check for the vast majority of the game.
There were many fantastic performances by Packers players in their convincing victory. Jarveon Howard, an undrafted free agent running back from Alcorn State (Donald Driver’s alma mater), had eight carries for 44 yards in the fourth quarter. Michael Pratt, one of Green Bay’s seventh round picks, completed five of his seven passes for 46 yards.
Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph, who are competing for the team’s starting kicker job, were each perfect. Carlson made an extra point and two field goals (one from 46 yards away). Joseph made both of his kicks, an extra point and a 35-yard field goal.
These performances aside, there were others that were more notable, both good and bad.
3 Studs for the Green Bay Packers vs the Cleveland Browns
Selecting three of the best performances from the Packers’ victory is no easy task because of the number of players that played so well. That being said, there are several names that stick out for a variety of reasons.
1. Wide Receiver Grant Dubose
A seventh-round pick by the Packers in 2023, DuBose suffered an injury during training camp and was never able to crack Green Bay’s roster. He was retained by the team on their practice squad but has become an afterthought for many fans.
In their victory of the Browns, DuBose led the team with five receptions and 66 yards. He also did well blocking downfield and on running plays, something that head coach Matt LaFleur highly values in his wide receivers.
While it is early, DuBose’s name will be one to watch as the regular season draws near. If he continues to play like he did against the Browns, it will be difficult for Brian Gutekunst to keep him off the 53-man roster.
2. Defensive End Lukas Van Ness
A first-round pick in 2023, it was expected that defensive end Lukas Van Ness would take a step forward for the Packers this year. This is especially true due to the new defensive scheme that Jeff Hafley brought with him when he was hired to replace Joe Barry.
Van Ness sure looked like a player that is ready to play an increased role on defense, totaling three tackles, all of them for a loss. One of them was also a sack.
The Iowa product played just 33% of the defense’s snaps as a rookie, but still recorded 4.0 sacks. More playing time, improved fundamentals, and a bigger role could make him one of the most exciting players on the team this year.
3. Running Back Emanuel Wilson
Packers fans remember well the hype that running back Emanuel Wilson had last preseason. He was the NFL’s preseason rushing leader in 2023 and ended up making the 53-man roster. Wilson only got 14 carries all of last season but gained 65 yards averaging 6.1 yards per attempt.
With the free agent signing of Josh Jacobs and the selection of Marshawn Lloyd in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, as well as the return of AJ Dillon, many wondered if Wilson would be the odd man out this season.
Wilson led the Packers in both carries and rushing yards again in this year’s preseason opener, carrying the ball 13 times for 67 yards and a touchdown. Once again, he gained huge praise from fans on social media, many wondering if he might make the roster again in 2024.
Which leads us to…
3 Duds for the Green Bay Packers vs Cleveland Browns
Unfortunately, not every player on the Packers’ roster had a good day. While it was only the first preseason game, time is running out for many players in their quest to make the 53-man roster. There are also intense battles going on at many positions, and poor performances can lead to losing those battles.
1. Running Back AJ Dillon
There were many people surprised that the Packers brought AJ Dillon back on a one-year deal after his terrible 2023 season. Last year, he had just 613 rushing yards and two touchdowns while averaging a pitiful 3.4 yards per carry.
With Jacobs and Lloyd all but guaranteed roster spots (if Lloyd stays healthy; he left the game against the Browns with a hamstring injury, his second injury of camp), many believed Dillon would have to battle Wilson for the third running back spot.
Dillon did not do much to help his case, gaining just two yards on four carries on Saturday.
The fact that he did not play much would insinuate that he is still in somewhat good standing, but as other running backs thrive, he cannot afford to average 0.5 yards every time he touches the ball.
2. Wide Receiver Bo Melton
The Packers are very deep at wide receiver. They potentially have anywhere between six and eight players at the position that could have a role on any NFL roster. For this reason, it is imperative that players make the most of their chances.
While DuBose played well, Bo Melton did not. He dropped three passes while hauling in just one for 12 yards.
The Packers have carried many wide receivers onto the 53-man roster before, but Melton has to compete with DuBose and Samori Toure, two of Green Bay’s most recent draft picks.
He played well for the Packers late last season, but he needs to perform better in preseason games if he is to make it back on the roster.
3. Quarterback Sean Clifford
When Love struggled early on in 2023, there was a loud faction of Packers fans that wanted Sean Clifford to start instead of him. They must be singing a different tune now.
Clifford has struggle throughout offseason activities and training camp. In Green Bay’s win over the Cleveland, he was easily the worst of the three Packers quarterbacks. Playing the most offensive snaps, Clifford completed 10 of his 19 passes for 111 yards.
It is, of course, too early to make any decisions at backup quarterback, but Clifford could end up losing the job to Pratt if he does not play better.
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