5 takeaways from Packers’ 2nd mandatory minicamp practice

The Green Bay Packers are swiftly moving through their offseason workout program. They have completed their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp. With a team-building activity on Thursday, we won’t see them on the field until July 26th when Training Camp begins.

The Packers held their second consecutive mandatory minicamp practice open to the media on Wednesday. That allowed us to get a better glimpse at their players and how they’re progressing.

With it only being open to the media, we are grateful to take the reports from the wonderful Packers’ coverage and share five takeaways.

The Green Bay Packers completed their second mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday. Here are five takeaways.

Jayden Reed could be the punt returner

Reed returned 37 punts at Michigan State for a 15-yard average–an impressive feat. Green Bay is giving him a chance to earn the primary responsibilities as a rookie in the NFL. He’s been competing with Keisean Nixon as the starting punt returners in OTAs and now in minicamp. That’s one way for a rookie to impact the game.

Zach Tom and Yosh Nijman split time at right tackle

Zach Tom was the starting right tackle during the team portion on Tuesday, and Yosh Nijman assumed that role on Wednesday, moving Tom to the second and third-team center spots. This battle will likely take all of training camp and most of the preseason before a decision is made. Green Bay is fortunate to have two quality options, but wants at least one player to step up. If Tom loses out at right tackle, he has a real opportunity to push Josh Myers at center.

Malik Heath continues to make himself noticed

Much fuss has been made about Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson this offseason, but undrafted free agent Malik Health continues to make himself noticed at practices. He had a monster season at Ole Miss last year and is playing with a chip on his shoulder after his teammate, Jonathan Mingo, was drafted in the second round despite having a less productive season. Heath had two more plays on Wednesday and has positioned himself nicely heading into the offseason break.

Anders Carlson looked good

There were plenty of question marks at kicker after the Packers chose to let Mason Crosby remain in free agency and drafted Anders Carlson in the sixth round. However, Carlson is off to an excellent start in minicamp. He went 5-for-6 on Tuesday and 6-for-6 on Wednesday. After showing off the power on Tuesday, he concentrated on accuracy on Wednesday.

Nothing easy for Lukas Van Ness

Usually, first-round picks are somewhere close to the starting groups when OTAs and minicamp begins. That’s not the case for Lukas Van Ness, with Justin Hollins and Preston Smith starting at outside linebacker and Kingsley Enagbare and La’Darius Hamilton with the 2s, that left Van Ness with the third unit. He’ll have to earn his way up the depth chart.