Green Bay Packers: 5 players with the most to prove in 2018-19
4. Justin McCray
Last season, Justin McCray was the jack of all trades on the Packers offensive line. He spent time at each position except for center last season. This season he looks to become a master of one, right guard.
The Packers must have a lot of faith in the former undrafted player as they gave him a one-year prove it contract.
Make no mistake about it, McCray doesn’t have huge shoes to fill. Jahri Evans didn’t play so well last season in his one-year deal. However, the pressure is high for McCray as he needs to keep Aaron Rodgers protected and healthy all season.
What McCray needs to prove this season is that he is the right guard of the future in Green Bay. T.J. Lang looked to be so until he left for the Detroit Lions. Again, Evans had a down year in his one and only season as a temporary guard. With McCray entering his age 26 season, he very well could hold down the reins as the right guard for seasons down the road.
That is, if he lives up to the expectations.
At this point in time, he seems to be living up to those expectations. He impressed coaches and teammates during OTA’s with his work ethic and abilities.
A fantastic pulling block by #64 Justin McCray sets this one up, but Jones shows the patience to allow the block to develop, confidence to hit the hole and burst to leave everyone in his dust. #packers pic.twitter.com/JrwBQAe7Z7
— Tim Backes (@timbackes) March 29, 2018
The future looks bright for McCray. However, nothing is given in the NFL, everything is earned. He’ll need to prove he was no fluke last season. At the same time, he needs to prove that the Packers have found a reliable long-term right guard.