Packers: 4 Big Questions for Special Teams Entering Training Camp
By Paul Bretl
![Green Bay Packers Maurice Drayton special teams assistant coach Maurice Drayton is shown during the second quarter of their game Sunday, December 25, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 24-17.MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINELPackers17 33 Hoffman Green Bay Packers Maurice Drayton special teams assistant coach Maurice Drayton is shown during the second quarter of their game Sunday, December 25, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. The Chicago Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 24-17.MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINELPackers17 33 Hoffman](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/46b13270c4500254c1bdfb3570056da596bce267775d4cb505505465f8a6ab59.jpg)
How will special teams shape the roster?
With only 53 roster spots available to each NFL team, unless the player is a superstar or plays a specific position like quarterback, everyone is expected to contribute to the special teams unit to some degree. And because most NFL teams aren’t willing to carry a fifth wide receiver or a sixth cornerback who won’t contribute to special teams, oftentimes it’s these contributions to the third unit that will end up determining those final roster spots.
A few examples of this includes Equanimeous St. Brown and Malik Taylor at wide receiver. St. Brown has only 62 career special teams snaps while Taylor took 210 last season alone, according to PFF ($$). For back-end of the roster receivers who likely won’t see much playing time this season, being able to contribute on special teams is a great way to set yourself apart from the pack.
At cornerback, Kabion Ento is another player to watch closely. Late last season, both Josh Jackson and Ka’dar Hollman were healthy scratches, meaning that in addition to the Green Bay Packers not expecting much help from them on defense, they also didn’t see them as special teams contributors either. For a young player like Ento who has seen plenty of reps this summer as a special teams gunner — a very important role, by the way — his ability on special teams could be the reason that he makes the final roster.
A majority of the roster spots on this Green Bay Packers team are already accounted for, but special teams play during training camp and the preseason will go a long way in determining those final roster openings.