Packers: 4 Big Questions for Special Teams Entering Training Camp

Can the rookies help turn this unit around?

As I wrote after the draft, it was quite clear that GM Brian Gutekunst and the Green Bay Packers put an emphasis on finding special teams contributors in this year’s draft–and understandably so.

First-round pick Eric Stokes and that impressive 4.25 speed of his would make him an excellent gunner and rusher off the edge on punt or field goal attempts if the Green Bay Packers choose to use him in that fashion. Third-round pick Amari Rodgers should help stabilize this shaky punt return unit with his experience from his time at Clemson, tallying 68 career punt return attempts during his college career.

Fifth-rounder Shemar Jean-Charles was dubbed a “special teams ace” by Jordan Reid of The Draft Network in his pre-draft scouting report while Isaiah McDuffie has experience and good speed for a linebacker which should make him an immediate contributor. Lance Zierlien of NFL.com would call McDuffie a “core special teams player.”  Special teams coach Maurice Drayton has even mentioned Kylin Hill when discussing potential contributors from the rookie class.

This unit needed a serious infusion of talent, and Gutekunst and Co. certainly prioritized doing trying to find that. While the special teams unit often doesn’t receive much attention, it will be interesting to see how many snaps each of these rookies take early on and the level of impact that this class can make.