The Green Bay Packers are going through summer workouts getting ready for 2017. We've heard about what rookies need to step up and where, now let's take a look at some second year players that need to do the same.
Geronimo Allison/WR- This was the signature Ted Thompson
undrafted free agent gold mine of 2017. Allison is tall, has nice smooth long
running strides, and has all the skills you like in a wide receiver. He had a
bad 40 time, which is why he went undrafted. Boo hoo. Allison needs to build on
his 2017 performance and give Aaron Rodgers options besides Jordy Nelson, who
could literally break in half at any moment at this point, and Davante Adams.
Kenny Clark/DT- The Packers 2016 first round draft choice
had a quiet but decent 2016 season. Especially with the suspension and probable
release of Letroy Guion, Clark needs to take over in the middle, and he needs
to do it now.
Joe Callahan/QB- Another Ted Thompson undrafted free agent,
Callahan throughout the summer and subsequent training camp a year ago that he
belongs on an NFL roster. This one may seem odd, but if the Packers are going
to trade Brett Hundley at the end of the season, they need to feel comfortable
handing the backup job over to Callahan, so he needs to have another good
summer and training camp.
Trevor Davis/WR- The Packers selected this speed demon from
California in round five a year ago. Davis started the year as the punt
returner, but fumble issues cost him the job, and he got buried on the depth chart
as well. He needs to fix those issues, and take over both return roles in 2017.
Kyler Fackrell/OLB- The Packers have a lot of outside
linebackers, which is why they fell comfortable with moving Clay Matthews
inside on so many plays. They did let Julius Peppers walk in the off season, and
Fackrell needs to step up, take Peppers spot in the rotation, and keep the line
moving.
Blake Martinez/ILB- The Packers have drafted a few inside
linebackers over the last couple of years in the mid-rounds, hoping that one of
them steps up and becomes the thumper this defense has been missing since
Desmond Bishop's career-ending injury five years ago. Martinez needs to step up
and become that thumper.
Christian Ringo/DE/DT- The Packers need the rest of that
front line to remain healthy following the Guion suspension. Ringo is one of
those players who needs to step up and play well.