Packers: 2020 UDFAs Taylor & Galeai have Opportunity to Contribute
By Paul Bretl
Next man up. That’s been a big theme of this Green Bay Packers season up to this point as they’ve had to deal with numerous injuries and some COVID stints as well.
This week in Minnesota that will continue with 2020 UDFAs Tipa Galeai and Patrick Taylor each having opportunities to contribute to this Green Bay Packers team.
With Kylin Hill being placed on IR following the Arizona game, Taylor was added to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. And now, with Aaron Jones out for a week or two, Taylor is RB2 behind AJ Dillon.
Taylor, an undrafted rookie out of Memphis, would essentially red-shirt last season as he recovered from offseason foot surgery. He had his first career carries last week against Seattle, rushing for seven yards on two carries.
As I wrote recently, when it comes to fit in this Matt LaFleur offense as a running back, Taylor is a very good one in this system. In addition to what he can offer as a ball carrier, he can affect the passing game and has shown that he can hold his own as a pass-blocker.
"“PT can handle a lot,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said via Sports Illustrated. “He’s been with us for a while now, working on the scout team a bunch and now he’s got an opportunity. I think he’s a smart kid. We didn’t worry about anything throwing him in there late in the game, giving him a couple carriers. He’s a tough, hard runner, a good one-cut back. I think he can do a lot in the passing game. He’s got good hands and is a good route runner. So, I think it’s a great opportunity for him. I expect PT to get plenty of playing time and to play well.”"
Of course, Dillon will still get a bulk of the carries, but Taylor will be needed to provide him with some snaps off, and from the sounds of it, he will be utilized in the passing game as well.
At edge rusher, Whitney Mercilus was placed on season-ending IR, and while Rashan Gary avoided major injury, we do not know if he will play Sunday, or if he does, will he be on a pitch count?
Like Taylor, Galeai was a 2020 UDFA, but from Utah State. He played nine regular-season snaps early on in 2020, according to PFF ($$), but has primarily been on the practice squad.
Galeai stands 6’5” but weighs just 230 pounds. He brings excellent quickness to the edge rusher position and a Tasmanian devil-like spin move. Galeai is someone who can step in on third downs and obvious pass situations to get after the quarterback, but it’ll be important that he avoids engaging with the offensive tackles, or that could take him out of the play.
"“If that joker can put on 10 more pounds, he’s a demon now,” OLB coach Mike Smith said via Packers Wire. “He plays hard. Very smooth, quick. Great chop and spin, great counter, great get off to beat you on the edge. Gotta get better with his power. He’s learning that’s all they’ll do. They’ll set you soft and wait for you. You have to threaten. A guy with a great get off, he should have great power, because they are going to open up on you early. You have to threaten them with that. If he puts some weight on, he’ll be a damn good player.”"
As I already mentioned, we don’t yet know Gary’s status for Sunday. However, the Packers still have Preston Smith and Jonathan Garvin to lean on, but Galeai is likely going to see some snaps; it just comes down to how much with the uncertainty around Gary.