The Green Bay Packers didn’t play any veteran starters and went 1-2 during the preseason, but the three exhibition games – a loss to the 49ers, a win over the Saints and a loss to the Chiefs – provided an ideal opportunity for a few players to shine bright
Here are the stars of the preseason for the Packers in 2022:
C Josh Myers
The second-year jump looks very real for Myers, who played 70 snaps and was excellent in the run game this preseason. His highlight play came in the finale when Myers released upfield and took out a linebacker at the second level of Tyler Goodson’s touchdown run in Kansas City. Overall, Myers didn’t allow a pressure in pass protection and finished with the ninth-highest run-blocking grade of all NFL offensive linemen with at least 30 run-blocking snaps played during the preseason, per Pro Football Focus.
OL Zach Tom
The fourth-rounder looked the part at both right tackle (75 snaps) and left guard (49) over three preseason games. Like Myers, Tom didn’t allow a single pressure despite playing 75 pass-blocking snaps, and he finished with the fifth-highest overall pass-blocking grade, per PFF. The one blemish on his record was a holding penalty in the finale. Will the Packers think he’s one of the best five for Week 1? While Tom didn’t start in any of the three preseason games, his performance sure looked starter-worthy.
WR Romeo Doubs
It wasn’t all perfect for Doubs, but the flashes are so bright that his potential for stardom is hard to ignore. The fourth-rounder ran 37 routes but was targeted 15 times – highlighting how easy he can make it look to get open but also how much trust he earned from Jordan Love and Danny Etling. Doubs mixed in three drops with two touchdowns and three contested catches. He’s fast and a smooth route-runner and accelerator, and he has a “my ball” mentality when it’s in the air.
LB Krys Barnes
Barnes won’t start as long as De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker are healthy, but the third-year linebacker looks perfectly capable of providing quality snaps in a pinch and adding true value on special teams. He produced five tackles without a miss, a near-interception and another tackle on special teams over 42 preseason snaps.
OT Caleb Jones
The 6-9, 370-pounder played 87 snaps at left tackle for the second-team offensive line. He gave up one pressure (hurry) and didn’t have a penalty. Jones is light on his feet, but he can really move people in the run game. Could Jones become the next Yosh Nijman for the Packers? If his work over three preseason games is any indication, Jones has a future in the NFL, even if he’s going to need time to put it all together.
S Micah Abernathy
Despite arriving in Green Bay in early August, Abernathy played the team’s fourth-most snaps on defense (111) and received the defense’s highest overall grade from PFF this preseason. His interception against the Saints was a highlight play, but he also covered well overall, tackled in space and showed an ability to play down in the box or deep at free safety. Based on the games, Abernathy deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. If nothing else, he outplayed seventh-round pick Tariq Carpenter by a wide margin.
CB Kiondre Thomas
A cornerback’s job is to prevent completions, and it’s hard to argue with what Thomas accomplished in coverage over 121 snaps (65 in coverage). He was targeted seven times and allowed just one completion for eight yards, with two pass breakups. He added two stops against the run and three total tackles on special teams. It’s now possible he could stick as the No. 6 corner.
Others
QB Jordan Love: The stats won’t tell the right story of his preseason. He was up and down at times, but the flashes of legitimate starting talent started becoming much more consistent this summer.
RB Tyler Goodson: His burst and natural pass-catching ability became very obvious. The former Iowa star turned 36 touches into 167 yards over three games.
WR Samori Toure: His nine catches and 125 receiving yards led the team. There’s legit separation talent to unearth here.
LB Isaiah McDuffie: The second-year linebacker can fly around the field. His six stops led the team.
DL Jack Heflin: Just like last summer, the “Trash Can Full of Dirt” just found ways of making disruptive plays.
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