Tag: Malik Taylor

Packers competition at WR narrows with Devin Funchess headed to IR

Malik Taylor appears to be a big winner of Packers WR Devin Funchess going to injured reserve.

The competition for a spot on the Green Bay Packers’ roster gained some much-needed clarity on Wednesday.

The team placed veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess on season-ending injured reserve. After a strong performance in the preseason opener (six catches, 70 yards), Funchess injured his hamstring during joint practices with the Jets and will no longer factor into the team’s plans in 2021.

The Packers now have a few options, some appearing more likely than others:

– Keep only five receivers: Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and rookie Amari Rodgers. These five are locks. Maybe the team doesn’t feel a need for six receivers on the 53-man roster.

– Keep six receivers, including Malik Taylor. He made the 53-man roster last summer, and he’s been terrific this preseason. Brandon Carwile of Packers Wire highlighted his performance against the Jets here.

– Keep six receivers, with the sixth receiver being Equanimeous St. Brown, Juwann Winfree or Reggie Begelton. St. Brown made the team last year, Winfree was excellent for much of the offseason before an injury, and Begelton is an improving player in Year 2 in Green Bay.

– Keep seven receivers, with some combination of two players listed above. Highly unlikely, but possible if the Packers think Taylor and one of the others deserve to make the team.

The most likely option appears to be keeping six receivers with Taylor as the sixth. He might be the most well-rounded player – in terms of athleticism, blocking, special teams contributions and receiving potential – among those competing to be the sixth, especially with Funchess out. His availability – the key here – combined with solid performances during the preseason might be enough to lock in a roster spot.

Saturday’s preseason finale will be interesting.

Winfree and St. Brown have both been injured, but they probably need to play against the Bills to make the team. Winfree was a star of the offseason workout program and had a terrific start to camp, but he’s been out for two weeks. St. Brown has participated sporadically during camp. Neither is in a strong position. On the other hand, Taylor and Begelton would both have the opportunity to keep stacking success. They’ve been healthy, and they are improving week to week. And the added caveat here is that Jordan Love will likely play after missing last week with a right shoulder injury.

If the Packers keep a sixth receiver, who should it be? Vote below.

[polldaddy poll=10906521]

[listicle id=60929]

Packers film room: Reviewing Malik Taylor’s solid outing vs Jets

Breaking down the film of Malik Taylor’s impressive performance for the Packers against the Jets on Saturday.

Malik Taylor isn’t making it easy for the Green Bay Packers to decide who the team should keep at wide receiver. And honestly, it’s a good problem to have.

Taylor snuck onto the 2020 roster because he was one of the only wide receivers capable of playing special teams. A year later, and Taylor is still a threat to make the final 53, but it’s not just because of his value as a specialist.

On Saturday against the New York Jets, Taylor was the leading receiver for Green Bay as he finished with four receptions for 66 yards. The 2019 undrafted free agent is now up to nine catches for 116 yards through two preseason games. To some, that’s not a whole lot. But for a guy battling for a roster spot in a crowded position group, it could be just enough.

If Taylor can prove to be valuable not only to the Packers’ special teams but potentially to their offense, it will be hard to turn him away at the final roster cut on August 31.

To get a better idea of what type of impact Taylor can have as a pass-catcher, let’s take a quick look at his four catches against the Jets.

Taylor’s first catch was one of the best plays Green Bay has had all preseason. On second down, he made a toe dragging grab near the sideline for a 23-yard gain. The play was originally ruled incomplete, but after further review, Taylor did get two feet down.

Taylor is in a reduced split, giving him less field to work with on a dig route. The Jets are in zone and basically have everything covered. Kurt Benkert has to escape the pocket to buy time, and Taylor recognizes this as he crosses midfield. Good mental processing enables Taylor to work in conjunction with Benkert toward the sideline. Taylor also showed great awareness to work back toward the ball and get both of his feet inbounds.

This was an awesome play that is especially useful when playing with a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers who thrives when the play breaks down.

Here Taylor is matched up on a physical corner in Bryce Hall. Hall gets both hands into Taylor’s chest to try and disrupt his route. However, Taylor uses his competitive toughness and play strength to fight off of the jam and continue to sell the vertical stem. This play showcases Taylor’s acceleration before stopping on a dime to create enough separation for a first down reception. Great timing on a good route.

It’s man to man, and New York’s corners are up on the line of scrimmage because it’s 3rd and 5. This is just a simple fade route by Taylor. It was a nice catch but an even better throw by Benkert, who basically hangs a 50-50 ball in the air to hopefully move the chains. Good ball skills by Taylor to highpoint this ball and good awareness to know where he is on the sideline to get both feet down.

Taylor goes for a quick outside release against another physical corner. The corner gets his hands into Taylor, but again, it doesn’t do enough to disrupt the route. It’s a quick hitch for Taylor, who has to work back toward the ball just a tad. He created just enough separation to make a nice contested catch on 3rd and 8.

There’s only one preseason game left to go, but Taylor is building on a nice summer at receiver that could continue into the regular season.

[listicle id=60829]

Packers WR Malik Taylor states case for roster spot against Jets

The battle for a roster spot at WR is fierce, but Malik Taylor – who caught four more passes against the Jets – isn’t going away.

Malik Taylor was the reason why the Green Bay Packers didn’t keep Jake Kumerow, and he could be the reason why the Packers don’t keep Devin Funchess.

The young receiver has stated a strong case for keeping his roster spot through two preseason games.

Taylor, who made the roster as the sixth receiver last summer, caught four passes for a team-high 66 yards against the New York Jets on Saturday, giving him nine catches for 116 yards this preseason.

It was a terrific performance from a young receiver trying to make a deep Packers roster for the second straight year.

Twice, Taylor caught passes over 20 yards on third down to extend scoring drives. Both catches had an above-average level of difficulty.

On the first, Taylor ranged from the left of the formation to the right sideline on a deep over route. He made a toe-tap catch in front of Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley along the sideline on a perfect ball from Kurt Benkert, who was rolling to his right under pressure, the completion good for 23 yards to spark the Packers’ first touchdown drive.

On the second catch, Taylor made a perfect adjustment to a back-shoulder throw down the field, spinning to make the catch in front of the cornerback for another gain of over 20 yards on third down. It was one of several conversions on a marathon 19-play touchdown drive in the second quarter.

Earlier on the same drive, Taylor picked up Benkert – who fell down on back-to-back plays to set up third-and-long – with a 9-yard catch, converting the first down. He got beyond the sticks, turned and made the on-time catch from Benkert, extending the drive.

Taylor’s final catch converted another third down, his fourth of the afternoon. Once again, he got beyond the sticks, turned to the quarterback and made a tough contested catch in front of the cornerback to convert.

Four catches, four first downs, four third-down conversions. This is how a young player at a logjam position can separate himself in the competition.

Funchess, who has also created a strong case for a roster spot, sat out the contest with a hamstring injury. Taylor, with only four receivers available for the game, made the most of his opportunity.

The big question over the next two weeks: how many receivers will the Packers keep? Taylor is going to be hard to cut. So will Funchess. Maybe the Packers keep seven, or maybe Funchess – a veteran with value outside of Green Bay – ends up becoming a logical player to trade.

[listicle id=60819]

Packers Week 14 injury designations: Darnell Savage listed as Questionable

The Detroit Lions (5-7) Week 14 opponent, the Green Bay Packers (9-3), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game.

The Detroit Lions (5-7) Week 14 opponent, the Green Bay Packers (9-3), have released their injury designations ahead of Sunday’s game and while 15 players showed up on this week’s injury report, just five are listed with an injury designation.

Here’s a look at the Packers’ full injury designations list.

Injury status

Player Position Injury Designation
Simon Stepaniak G Knee OUT
Equanimeous St. Brown WR Knee/Concussion Questionable
Malik Taylor WR Hamstring  Questionable
Jake Sternberger TE Concussion OUT
Darnell Savage S (starter) Groin  Questionable

Savage was healthy most of the week but popped up on Friday’s practice report with a groin injury. Like most late-week injuries, this situation is worth monitoring, especially considering Savage’s backup, safety Raven Greene, was recently placed on injured reserve.

If Savage can’t play, that’s a big boost for Lions’ T.J. Hockenson, who is currently the third most productive tight end in the NFL right now.

The Packers receiving group is banged up. In addition to St. Brown, Taylor, and Sternberger showing up on the injury report, starting wide receiver Allen Lazard was limited in practice all week with a core muscle injury, and starting tight end Marcedes Lewis was limited on Wednesday, didn’t practice on Thursday, before returning to a full practice on Friday. Both starters are expected to play — thus no injury designation — but they may be limited on the field.

Stepaniak, who tore his ACL in college last December, was just activated from the NFI list (Non-football injury) to the active roster this week. It may take some time before he is ready to return and has been ruled out for this game.

Missing a player who has been out most of the season may not seem like a big deal but the Packer’s offensive line is dealing with some injuries. Starting guard Lane Taylor has been on injured reserve the majority of the season, starting center Corey Linsley was just placed on injured reserve, while replacement starting guard/center Lucas Patrick and starting right tackle Rick Wagner were both limited all week.

If any of the Packer’s linemen can’t go, former Michigan Wolverines’ Ben Braden and Jon Runyan are next in line on the depth chart.

WR Malik Taylor overcomes long odds, makes Packers’ initial roster

Malik Taylor overcame the odds to make the Packers’ initial 53-man roster as the team’s fifth wide receiver.

In late July, when Packers Wire took a detailed look at the Green Bay Packers’ looming competition at wide receiver, only one player landed in the “long shot” category.

Malik Taylor.

A month and a half later, Taylor officially overcame the odds, beating out four other receivers to win a spot on the Packers’ initial 53-man roster as the team’s fifth receiver.

We didn’t completely dismiss Taylor’s chances.

The analysis from July: “Long shots at receiver have made the roster before. Just ask Darrius Shepherd. Taylor has good size and a full year of work in the Matt LaFleur offense, so he can’t be completely dismissed. All these guys are talented. Many just need the right opportunity at the right time. Maybe this summer is the intersection of the two for Taylor.”

The right opportunity intersected with the right time, and Taylor made the most of it.

Taylor beat out Jake Kumerow, Darrius Shepherd, Malik Turner and Reggie Begelton for the final receiver spot.

 

The Packers signed Taylor, an undrafted free agent from Ferris State, off the street last July. He spent the entire 2019 season on the team’s practice squad, providing valuable experience in Matt LaFleur’s offense and laying the foundation for his run at a roster spot this summer.

“My main goal is to be a part of this team,” Taylor told Grant Matheny of Packers Wire. “I want to be a part of this team more than anything. I know this team has what it takes to make it to that last game. When training camp comes around, whenever we go back, I want to do everything I can to make this team.”

Mission accomplished.

[lawrence-related id=50244,50219]

[vertical-gallery id=50189]

‘I want to be a part of this team more than anything’: Malik Taylor looks to overcome obstacles to help Packers

Just to make it on the Packers’ practice squad, Malik Taylor has overcome his fair share of obstacles. The Flint, Michigan native attended Ferris State University, a small school located in Big Rapids, Michigan. He had an extremely productive career …

Just to make it on the Packers’ practice squad, Malik Taylor has overcome his fair share of obstacles. The Flint, Michigan native attended Ferris State University, a small school located in Big Rapids, Michigan. He had an extremely productive career in college, but he was sidelined for the entirety of his senior season because of a hamstring injury. At the conclusion of his college career, Taylor was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent. However, his time in Tampa Bay was brief and he eventually found himself in a Packers uniform.

After getting injured, going undrafted, and failing to earn an NFL roster spot as a rookie, you would think that Taylor would be satisfied with making the Packers’ practice squad.

But he isn’t. Taylor wants more. The 6-foot-3, 216-pound wide receiver wants to be better than mediocre.

“My main goal is to be a part of this team,” Taylor told Packers Wire. “I want to be a part of this team more than anything. I know this team has what it takes to make it to that last game. When training camp comes around, whenever we go back, I want to do everything I can to make this team.”

Of course, if Taylor is to make Green Bay’s 53 man roster, he knows that improvement is necessary.

“The biggest thing I can improve on is learning the playbook so I can gain trust. The coaches told me that even though I am a hell of a player, they want me to learn the playbook and go play comfortable. That is what has pretty much been on my mind this offseason,” said Taylor.

The 2020 offseason is of paramount importance for Taylor. If he is to make Green Bay’s roster, the wideout will need to show his skills and improvements on the practice field. 

But for now, as the NFL navigates its way through unique challenges, Taylor will need to wait and do what he can. 

“I think that we have been handling the offseason pretty well, Taylor said. “Our coaches have been really good with communicating and they are making sure we are getting the playbook, even though we are not meeting face-to-face.”

While he makes sure to study the playbook, Taylor is also focused on improving his physical condition.

“Even now during the quarantine, I am training as if it were training camp,” Taylor said. 

Taylor has already jumped over multiple hurdles to make it to where he is now in the NFL. But he knows that the uphill battle is not going to stop anytime soon.

“It is very challenging,” Taylor said. “Especially me coming from D2 and not playing my senior year due to injury. I pretty much had all of the cards stacked up against me. I just have to keep my head down, do what I can do, control the controllable’s. I always told myself: once I find a team that fits me right and I get an opportunity, I am going to run with it.”

If the Packers do end up being the right team for Taylor, he will need to prove his worth by performing at a high level. The former Ferris State star believes that his talent and desire to be great separates himself from the rest.

“One thing I always thought separated me is just how addicted I am. I wake up and it is all I think about – just getting one percent better each day. There are things I want in life, and I know what it takes to get there. It takes hard work,” Taylor said. 

In the NFL, careers are made by players who are able to perform at the right moment. Careers can also be destroyed by players who make mistakes at the biggest junctures. Taylor knows this. He is doing everything in his power to stay ready for the opportunity to display his talents.

“Pretty much what I have to do is stay in the playbook, keep my body right, eat right. And when that opportunity comes – which I know it always does – I just gotta step up and make that play. My saying is always: ‘stay prepared so you don’t have to get prepared.’ That is something I try to live by.”

Now, Malik Taylor will see if all of his preparation and hard work will pay off.

After overcoming multiple obstacles, Taylor will take on his biggest challenge to date and attempt to earn a spot on Green Bay’s 53 man roster.

He is well aware of the challenge that stands in front of him. But Taylor isn’t intimidated by obstacles with a small success rate. He is motivated by them.

Being a professional football player “means everything” to Taylor.

“This is pretty much what my life is. This is what I have always wanted to be,” he said.

No matter how many obstacles stand in his way, Taylor knows that with dedication and hard work, he can conquer them all. He is committed to continuing his childhood dream of playing in the NFL.