Chiefs v. Packers: Are there surprise cuts around the corner?
Offensive notes and players to watch
The Green Bay Packers have one of the most accomplished players at the game’s most integral position in Aaron Rodgers. While he has barely played in the preseason, and won’t play at all in this game, he’s become one of the most polarizing figures at the position in recent memory. How he responds to his new head coach could determine the legacy they both leave.
That said, the fourth preseason game is all about the backups. There are a handful of players on the Packers pushing to make the team, along with a handful of veterans whose spots are in jeopardy.
The first player to keep an eye on when the Packers offense takes the field is Jake Kumerow. A product of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Kumerow was on the roster bubble early after his injury and non-participation in 2018 left coaches wanting. However, he has shined this preseason and now looks to push for not only a roster spot but potentially significant playing time as the fourth receiver on the teams depth chart.
This would be a significant achievement, as Kumerow was undrafted and has bounced from team to team since his career began in 2015. Look for coaches to give him every opportunity to succeed Thursday night. If he competes well, it’s likely he’s locked up a job for this season.
Another player to keep an eye on will be Darrius Shepherd. Shepherd hails from one of the most dominant programs in the FCS, North Dakota State, a program that has produced an impressive list of NFL talent including Carson Wentz. While Shepherd isn’t a lock, several injuries to wide receivers may give him a chance to make the team.
The most impressive thing about Shepherd is the fact that he was so overlooked. According to ESPN, 28 receivers were drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. None of them were Shepherd. What’s more, 73 receivers were signed in the initial wave of undrafted free agents. Again, none of them were Shepherd.
That’s 101 receivers who were evaluated as better prospects than Shepherd, and yet, here he stands with a chance at making the roster of a team quarterbacked by one of the best in the game and looking to make the playoffs. I expect Packers coaches to give him every chance to succeed on Thursday, and based on history, I expect him to do so.
A player struggling to make an impact, and in danger of losing his spot, is Deshone Kizer. The Notre Dame standout and former second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns has struggled to maintain a foothold on an NFL roster. His challenger is Tim Boyle, who has objectively outperformed him this preseason.
While it’s unlikely that Kizer will be cut, he’s likely to lose his position as backup if he doesn’t play well against the Chiefs. If the Packers only keep two quarterbacks on the active roster, he may be looking for a job after final roster cuts.