1 player at each Packers position group to watch against 49ers
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers will suit up and play their first preseason game this Friday against the San Francisco 49ers.
While, as always, there will be a lot to watch, here is one player from each position group to focus your attention on as the game unfolds.
Green Bay Packers QB: Jordan Love
Jordan Love will get the start against the San Francisco 49ers, and hopefully, he plays most of the game, gaining those valuable live reps.
Love has had an impressive start to training camp, with his confidence and command of both the huddle and line of scrimmage being noticeably improved, if you ask Matt LaFleur, along with a number of his teammates. All of which has translated to the practice field in the form of improved footwork, decision-making, and accuracy.
"“I think Jordan’s played his best football that I’ve seen since the first day of camp,” said Allen Lazard via Packers Wire. “His demeanor, his confidence, his throwing ability. He’s definitely taken a big step.”"
Now let’s see if he can continue this in a live game setting.
Green Bay Packers RB: Patrick Taylor
As I wrote recently, the battle for that third running back role until Kylin Hill returns is currently wide open. I would still consider Patrick Taylor the favorite, given his experience in LaFleur’s offense, his well-rounded skill-set that fits well in this system, along with what he can contribute on special teams.
However, with that said, he needs to go out and earn that role. Taylor is competing with undrafted rookies Tyler Goodson and BJ Baylor.
Green Bay Packers IOL: Jake Hanson
As a rookie in 2020, Jake Hanson found himself on the practice squad that year. In 2021, he made the 53-man roster, much to the surprise of many, after still looking overmatched at times during practice and the preseason.
Now, he has consistently been working the first-team offense at the right guard position. As long as David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins are sidelined, Hanson is very much in the conversation for a starting role come Week 1.
I’m confident that he will be on the 53-man roster, given that he may be the next best option at center if Josh Myers were to miss time. But the big question is, how well can he hold up as a blocker? We will get a glimpse against the 49ers.