Second-year player Jamari Lattimore has been a consistent playmaker for the Green Bay Packers during training camp thus far.
Even though he was moved from outside to inside linebacker during the offseason, the former undrafted free agent is one of the players said to be making the much-ballyhooed second-year jump.
“I think Jamari’s a little more natural insider linebacker than outside,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. “He’s another individual I’d say from Year 1 to Year 2 has made a jump.”
Whether that translates into a roster spot remains questionable though.
The Packers have Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk and D.J. Smith ahead of Lattimore on the depth chart and they seem to be virtual locks to make the roster. Those players are joined by Robert Francois, who’s also ahead of Lattimore, and rookie sixth-round pick Terrell Manning.
If Lattimore makes the final roster, it will largely be because of his special teams play. Even if he’s strong in that area, it may not be enough though.
It’s hard to see the Packers keeping more than five inside linebackers. He’ll probably have to beat out Francois or someone else to stick. That’s going to mean continuing his strong play in preseason games.