The Green Bay Packers preseason concluded with a 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. But more importantly, this was the final opportunity for several players to earn a roster spot.
Here is a closer look at the players who improved their stock in Kansas City.
Tyler Goodson
It was an impressive night on offense for the undrafted rookie, who caught all five passes for 26 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per rush on seven attempts, including a 24-yard touchdown run. However, Goodson did drop a kickoff attempt and also struggled to hold up in pass protection–two factors that will determine the third running back role.
Patrick Taylor
Once the Kansas City starting defense was off the field, the Packers’ offensive line did a good job of opening up running lanes, and Patrick Taylor benefited just as Goodson did. Taylor totaled 34 rushing yards on only seven carries and caught his three targets for 17 yards.
Samori Toure
Many of us thought that Juwann Winfree was going to be the Packers’ seventh wide receiver prior to this game, and he still very well may be. But Samori Toure made that conversation a bit more interesting with his play on Thursday night. Toure caught six of his eight targets for 83 yards, including four that went for first downs, and he forced two missed tackles, according to PFF.
Quay Walker
Quay Walker looked regular-season ready against the Chiefs. During Kansas City’s first two possessions, there weren’t many plays that ended without Walker in the middle of it. He finished with five total tackles — the second most on the team — three of which were solo.
Rasheed Walker
We haven’t seen or heard much from seventh-round rookie Rasheed Walker this summer, as he has missed some time due to an injury. But he stepped in at right tackle with the backup offensive line and didn’t give up a single pressure in 33 pass blocking snaps. He also opened a big running lane for Taylor on an 11-yard run.
Jack Coco
Prior to the preseason, we heard a lot about the ups and downs from Jack Coco at long-snapper. However, over these three games, he has been one of the few steady presences on the special teams unit. During his time at Georgia Teach, Coco only long-snapped on field goal attempts, but that wasn’t all that evident when watching him on punt attempts.
Jack Heflin
Do the Packers keep a sixth interior defensive lineman? Well, Jack Heflin continued to further complicate that decision. In only 19 run-blocking snaps, Heflin logged five solo tackles, two of which were for a loss or no gain, and he forced a fumble as well.
Micah Abernathy
Abernathy again got a lot of run on both defense and special teams as he played a majority of the game. He finished with a team-high six tackles and nearly forced another interception. Depending on how the numbers shake out at safety, Abernathy may not make the initial roster, but he’s put himself in a position to be called up if Dallin Leavitt is moved to IR.
Tyler Davis
One catch for 16 yards isn’t a massive night, by any means, but it was much improved for Tyler Davis, who has dealt with drops, a fumble, and missed blocks this preseason. Earlier in the week, Matt LaFleur mentioned that the Packers are still very confident in Davis. He then went on to have his most productive practice of the summer.
Amari Rodgers
Matt LaFleur made sure to get the ball in Amari Rodgers’ hands in a variety of ways as he filled that gadget role in this offense, lining up all over the formation. As a ball carrier, Rodgers totaled 17 yards on three carries. As a pass-catcher, he caught all four passes for 39 yards, including a contested one over the middle, something he has struggled with this preseason. We also saw Rodgers with a decent kickoff return to open the game when there was little blocking being done.
Pat O’Donnell
Throughout his career, Pat O’Donnell hasn’t been known as a booming punter. But he provides stability to this Packers special teams unit, including as a holder, and he’s very familiar with punting in the cold coming from Chicago. Against the Chiefs, however, O’Donnell was letting it fly, averaing 56.3 yards per punt on six attempts, including a long of 69 when backed up near his own endzone.
Jordan Love
It was an up and down performance from Jordan Love, which included some missed downfield opportunities and an interception, but once the offensive line gave him some time, we again saw a confident player in the pocket who was letting the ball rip into some tight windows. As expected, consistency will need to improve, but overall, it was another encouraging performance from Love, who is much improved from a year ago.
Krys Barnes
With De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker, Krys Barnes’ role is going to be reduced but he will provide a steady presence off the bench at what has become a position of strength for the Packers. Against the Chiefs, Barnes logged three tackles, including one in the open field, as well as a pass breakup in coverage.