Jeff Janis Presents Packers with a Question

It’s one of upside and how much the Green Bay Packers think second-year receiver Jeff Janis has.

Although Janis has made some improvements from year one to year two, he reportedly isn’t anywhere near where the coaching staff thought he would be.

Inconsistent is the word routinely used to describe Janis.

Janis is able to get downfield and, from time to time, turns in the big, flashy play. In addition to being fast, he’s also big and strong at 6-3, 220.

Of course, there’s a flip side. Drops too many balls. Can’t maneuver in close quarters.

In other words, right now Janis looks like nothing more than a guy who can do one thing — run a straight line down the field at a high rate of speed.

Now, the Packers aren’t counting on Janis to be one of their top receivers. So his shortcomings aren’t hugely important. What is important for Janis is that question. Does he still have upside?

Do the Packers think he can get to a place where he can work when he’s being pressed? Where his focus is such where he doesn’t drop balls?

So this becomes a question about a roster spot.

Four receivers are certain to make the Packers’ roster — Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Ty Montgomery.

Then there’s Janis, Myles White, Jared Abbrederis and a number of undrafted free agents competing for one or two more spots. Right now, Janis is listed as fifth on the depth chart, which would seemingly make him safe.

But we’re hearing White is having his best training camp to date and the Packers will surely want to see what they have in Abbrederis after he missed his entire rookie season with a torn ACL.

The question then may come down to whether the team is better off with the physically limited, but more polished White or the physically gifted, but raw Janis.

It seems Janis is going to have to show further improvement throughout camp to stick.