Green Bay Packers: 4 players with the worst preseason
4. Safety Josh Jones
Heading into this offseason, second-year safety Josh Jones was primed for a breakout season. Veteran Morgan Burnett had been allowed to walk in free agency to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The spot was presumably Jones’ to lose. Thus far, he has done just that to veteran Kentrell Brice. Heading into next week’s season opener, it’s likely that he will be the backup to Brice.
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Jones has a super high ceiling, but his athleticism can only carry him so far. He is currently the backup safety and the backup inside linebacker behind Oren Burks. After a rookie season with optimism that gradually built with every week, this offseason he stagnated.
His natural position in college was safety, but he has never been great in coverage. This is where Brice has torched him in the offseason as he’s looked better in coverage.
Next week against the Chicago Bears, Jones will play as the backup at two positions. With Burks recovering from a shoulder injury, the team could choose to bring him back gradually which would give Jones more playing time. Unless Brice is injured or Jones’ coverage instincts kick in, he’ll continue being an athletic backup. He has a higher ceiling than Brice, but his floor is far lower than Brice right now.