Plenty of questions have surrounded the Green Bay Packers quarterback position this offseason and heading into training camp and preseason. Green Bay has a long way to go to answer them, but Sean Clifford is building confidence as the team’s backup following a few solid preseason performances.
Clifford’s selection in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft came as a curveball, diverging from many analysts’ expectations who projected him as a priority undrafted free agent. However, he’s quickly proving his skeptics wrong and validating Green Bay’s decision.
While not flawless – veering off-script has led to occasional missteps – Clifford’s exhibition in the NFL is a testament to his capability, hinting at the possibility of becoming a promising backup. A natural playmaker, he’s evoking memories of an old gunslinger who used to roam these parts. Through two games, he’s 33-for-45 (73.3 percent) for 345 yards, one touchdown, and a pair of interceptions, culminating in an 84.0 passer rating.
These five players on the Green Bay Packers have had exceeded expectations through strong games as breakout preseason performers.
Now, let’s delve into four additional breakout preseason performers for the Packers.
Packers Breakout Preseason Performers: Karl Brooks
One of the biggest question marks on the Packers that may have already been answered surrounds their defensive line. Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed departed in free agency, opening up significant playing time for Devonte Wyatt and TJ Slaton.
However, it also created the need for depth, prompting the Packers to use two draft picks on defensive linemen in fourth-rounder Colby Wooden and sixth-rounder Karl Brooks.
Although Wooden had higher expectations as the higher pick, Brooks has kept up at every turn and has proven himself as a solid rotational player at the position. According to PFF, he has the fourth-highest defensive grade this preseason and has racked up four quarterback pressures, tied for second on the team.
Packers Breakout Preseason Performers: Emanuel Wilson
Emanuel Wilson has forced his way into the conversation for the Packers’ third running back, thanks to a couple of electric performances with the rock in his hands.
In the Packers’ first preseason game, he rushed six times for a whopping 111 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up last Saturday night with another strong performance, racking up 15 carries for another 63 yards. In total, that gives him 21 rushing attempts for 174 yards (an 8.3 yards per carry average).
It’s too bad Green Bay isn’t looking for a third running back who is this dynamic with the rock in their hands. Given they have Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon on the roster, their coaching staff has been transparent with the need for their third running back to be a special teams stud. However, Wilson can use this preseason performance as a jumping-off point for his future with the Packers or another team.
Packers Breakout Preseason Performers: Kinglsey Enagbare
Green Bay suddenly finds itself with a healthy diet of pass-rushers from all over the field. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith are locked in as the starters at outside linebacker, but second-year pro Kinglsey Enagbare might have secured his spot as the third edge rusher on the depth chart.
He’s coming off a dominant performance on Saturday night where he had two sacks, including a strip-sack and subsequent fumble recovery. He leads the team with five total quarterback pressures.
He’s showing an excellent leap in his second year and is inspiring confidence in his ability to be a solid rotational player at the position. His PFF grade of 93.9 through two games is the highest on the Packers.
Packers Breakout Preseason Performers: Malik Heath
Malik Heath’s meteoric rise within the Packers’ ranks began during Organized Team Activities and minicamp, and it’s shown no sign of slowing down as training camp and preseason progress. Currently poised as the likely fifth receiver on the depth chart, he’s nestled behind Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Samori Toure. However, with a series of impressive performances, he’s poised to potentially climb higher and challenge Toure’s position.
Across the first two preseason games, Heath has showcased his prowess, accumulating eight receptions for a total of 111 yards—both of which stand as team-highs. His unshakable confidence shines through, particularly in his knack for outmaneuvering defensive backs, even without relying on elite athleticism.
With Jordan Love embarking on his inaugural season as the Packers’ starting quarterback, bolstering the team’s receiving arsenal becomes paramount. Heath’s emergence as a dependable target only adds to the team’s offensive potency, painting a compelling picture of a player who’s carving out a meaningful role for himself within the Packers’ playbook.