In the Green Bay Packers’ receiver logjam — specifically the one at the bottom of the group — former undrafted free agent Max McCaffrey is making the most plays.
He caught three balls for 60 yards in the team’s first exhibition game. And if you listen to the Packers’ players and coaches, he’s making plays in practice consistently.
Offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett: “It seems like every day we step out on the practice field, he makes a play.”
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “Max [has] been making a lot of plays in training camp, every day in practice he’s making plays, made some nice catches in the game.”
Receiver Jordy Nelson: “We give him a hard time that he seems like the only one out there practicing…”
Of course, as we all know, the Packers have plenty of interesting receivers. McCaffrey still faces an uphill climb.
He came to the Packers’ practice squad after being released by the Oakland Raiders, last season. McCaffrey was elevated to the active roster for the NFC Championship, but was inactive.
That sounds like a guy easy to cut, but it’s turning out that won’t be the case.
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Geronimo Allison are locks to make the roster. That leaves two or three spots for the likes of Jeff Janis, McCaffrey, rookie draft picks DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre and the one undrafted rookie who’s turned some heads, Michael Clark.
Injuries may play a part, of course. Both Yancey and Dupre are currently sidelined.
Presuming everyone is healthy, it will be hard for the Packers to cut McCaffrey.
Clark is a good bet for the practice squad. Most of us have given up on Jeff Janis. We suspect the Packers are about to.
It’s conceivable then, if the Packers go with seven receivers again, the final three are Yancey, Dupre and McCaffrey (not necessarily in that order). We could also see the Packers parting ways with Dupre and trying to get him back on the practice squad.
However it plays out, McCaffrey is bolstering his chances.
Hell, maybe he’ll turn into his old man.
I am actually not convinced that Geronimo Allison will make the final roster. He may have made plays last year, but that does not make him a lock to make the roster.
I agree with you there. Davis being out of the doghouse probably bumps Allison down a peg. If they see more upside with their drafts picks, Janis and Allison could be the odd men out.
It would be great to have some insider information on how they decide who to keep?
No, it will be easy to cut him. Just have him make even a gentle politically correct comment to the press slightly criticizing MM’s play-calling. Presto Magico! He is cut!
Trade Cobb to Arizona…they are desperate for WRs. Allison and McCaffrey together can easily match Cobb’s production (600 yds and 4 TDs) at a fraction of the salary (even with dead money factored in). Also Cobb can only play slot receiver while Allison can also play on the outside.
Well, I’m glad that’s settled, then.
I can’t believe they haven’t packaged a couple WRs and shipped them somewhere already. Send them to the Cowboys for one of their 10 running backs. If 2-3 are going to get cut anyway. I guess Ted doesn’t trade “his” guys. Bill Belichick does though, take a lesson.
Another Max on the team works for me,{remember Max McGee?}