Undrafted Packers RB Tyler Goodson battles for roster spot
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – Green Bay Packers running back Tyler Goodson has no shortage of motivation for Friday night’s preseason opener with the 49ers.
In his three seasons with Iowa, Goodson rushed for 2,551 yards and caught 70 passes, finishing with 3,116 total yards and 19 touchdowns. Scouting his combine, he ran 40 in 4.42 seconds.
NFL teams love running backs with the speed to catch the ball and carry it home. But Goodson wasn’t among the 22 running backs drafted in April.
“I feel like I’m better than the other running backs that were drafted,” Goodson said Wednesday. “But every team has an opinion, every coach has a favorite player. I have to. That’s what I do.”
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are locked in as a one-two punch for the Packers in the backfield, but Goodson is chasing Patrick Taylor for third place. Days like Wednesday are fine. First, he took the toss, juked Shemar Jean-Charles and smashed a big run down the left flank. Then, in the final minute of the two-minute drill, Goodson scrambled for his 23-yard scramble from Jordan Love, his drill his touchdown, possibly illegally, for his reception, the end behind his zone. Created some spaces.
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At 5 feet 9 inches and 197 pounds, the Goodson is a little lighter, but when you see the cracks, its speed becomes unignorable. With Jones and Dillon likely to miss the preseason opener and Taylor returning from injury, Goodson has a long run against the 49ers.
“First of all, I’m excited about this opportunity,” he said. “I feel like any running back has been put in the best position possible because I know there’s an empty third spot and I have a chance to fight for it. I try to prepare myself and be ready for any situation that throws my way.”
After being undrafted, Goodson said signing with Green Bay was an easy decision. After last year’s seventh-round pick Kirin Hill suffered a torn ACL, his chances for a roster spot were clear. Thus, like fellow undrafted running his back BJ Baylor, Goodson signed a deal that included his $8,000 signing bonus.
“A lot of other teams that wanted me to come to the facility and be part of their team drafted a running back,” Goodson said. , said it would be a great opportunity to go out on the field with a special team and fight for third place, so I said to him, “I’m in.” That’s how I got here. Ever since I stepped in the door, my goal has been to compete to the best of my ability and get the 3rd spot. That’s my plan. “
And even more so if he proves every team that drafted other running backs wrong.
“I don’t know why he wasn’t drafted, to be honest,” Goodson said. “I honestly thought I was going to be drafted, but hey, God made everything happen for a reason. All I want in this draft is to be in the best position for me.” Yeah, it’s a shame you didn’t get drafted, but at the same time you have to recognize the opportunity at stake and where you stand, it’s a good position. .”
49ers Packers: 11 players to watch
From quarterback Jordan Love and long snapper Jack Coco to every position in between, here are the 11 players to keep an eye on for the Green Bay Packers in Friday night’s preseason opener at the San Francisco 49ers.
Quarterback: Jordan Love
Jordan Love (USA Today Sports Images)
Jordan Love had a good training camp. Can he have a good preseason? One thing that stands out is Love’s ability to make plays while under duress. That was one area where he really struggled last year, going just 6/19 under pressure in action in the regular season. How do you handle “real” pressure?
“I think he did a great job of keeping his eyes off the field and there was a lot of pressure around him,” said coach Matt Raffler. “There was a bit of a leak up front, but he manages it and does a good job of playing as realistically as possible in situations that aren’t just sitting ducks. He’s trying to run away or throw the ball away, so I think he’s really playing and maybe he’s improved since the first two years.”
Running back: Tyler Goodson
Tyler Goodson (USA Today Sports Images)
The Goodsons have made some big plays in recent days, including diving clear for big runs and catching a touchdown on Wednesday. Here are the latest features about Goodson:
Receiver: Romeo Dubs
Romeo Dubs at Family Night (USA Today Sports Images)
After getting a taste of Jaile Alexander, fourth-round pick Romeo Dubs gets his first taste of an NFL opponent. He was the most productive of any Packers receiver throughout training camp and showed potential to be a legitimate playmaker against Allen Lazard.
“Romeo, he shows great signs of great hands,” said Alexander. “Great hand, he finishes on every catch. , you have to fight the best.But no, Romeo is doing a great job.I like him and I think he works really hard.”
What happened on the practice field is really important. So, can Dubs, and any rookie at any position, deliver results in a real environment?
“The difference between what you do on the practice range and what you do when the lights are on and you don’t have a coach behind you is you can tell what’s going to happen and you can communicate and perform at the same time. That’s the game. ”said manager Brian Gutkunst. “The players who are successful in this league and play at a high level for a long time are able to cope with the environment and the atmosphere. ”
Tight end: Tyler Davis
Tyler Davis (USA Today Sports Images)
In Green Bay’s tight end squad, Marcedes Ruiz is the physical blocker and Josiah Deguara is the versatile moveable weapon.
Can Tyler Davis pick up the slack as a playmaking threat if Robert Toyan isn’t released from a torn ACL in time for the start of the regular season? Top threat among tight ends.
“Sure, he can run,” Gutkunst said. “You guys have seen him outside. He has really good speed. He is a position change and it takes time. But I think he’s playing consistently and I think he has the kind of speed that defenses need to pay attention to.”
Offensive Line: Lois Newman
In San Francisco, Jake Hanson (67) will start at right guard and Lois Newman (70) at right tackle. (USA Today Sports Image)
As a rookie last year, Neumann started 16 games at right guard. David has a big hole in his right tackle as his Bakhtiari and Ergton Jenkins have returned from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. If David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins are unavailable, can Neumann play that position to block, say, the Vikings’ Zadarius Smith in Week 1?
“There are good moments and not-so-good moments,” Lafleur said Monday. “I think it was just inconsistency. But he’s a guy that we have a lot of confidence in, in that he played a lot of ball for us. And he’s pretty good. He’s up front and there will come a time when the defense will beat him.”
Defensive Line: TJ Slaton
TJ Slaton had a blast at camp. (USA Today Sports Image)
With the starting trio of Kenny Clarke, Jalan Reid and Dean Lowry expected not to play, Slaton will be the defensive line leader. Slaton, his fifth-round pick last year who was inconsistent in playing time, had a great training his camp. Whether he ran or passed, he was a consistent threat.
Line Backer: All
Randy Ramsey (USA Today Sports Images)
The starting duo of Rashan Gary and Preston Smith will not play on Friday. What would he do if one of them was in an important match?
Jonathan Garvin appears to have moved to the front of the race to become the third outside linebacker. Tipa Galeai and Radarius Hamilton are the top challengers, and Randy Ramsey and fifth round rookie Kingsley Enagbare will have to catch up. has many plans.
“I’ve been put in situations where I’ve always had to fight for a spot since 2019,” Ramsey said. And I think it’s given me this opportunity and I’m focused on myself when I’m there.It’s the only thing you can really control. Once you start playing, that confidence builds, and then you know, shoot, you’re making a team.”
Inside Linebacker: Key Walker
Key Walker (USA Today Sports Images)
Aside from the number one offensive line, first-round pick Key Walker may be the only starter against San Francisco. He has been training his camp really good, with All-Pro Devondle his Campbell. His speed was prominent throughout camp, including nearly intercepting Aaron Rodgers on Family Night and closing the gap to eliminate Josiah Deger’s post-catch option earlier in the week.
“He’s a really talented player,” said running back AJ Dillon. “During camp, I always watch him when he’s open. He’s a very talented player and he picks it up quickly.”
Cornerback: Shemar Jan Charles
Shemar Jan Charles (USA Today Sports Images)
Joining the number one defense when Jaile-Alexander took a break last week was Shemar Jean-Charles. His grip on being the next in the fourth corner seems to be a bit off, with Keithian Nixon and Rico his Gafford winning the top team rep this week.
Jean-Charles is an interesting player. “He was a favorite of our scouts,” said Gutkunst, who has nominated him in the fifth round for 2021. But he doesn’t have an abundance of height (5-10 3/8) or speed (4.52 out of 40). This is going to be a big night for Jean-Charles and the rest of the corner, as the 49ers definitely want their new starting quarterback, Trey Lance, fired.
Safety: Vernon Scott and Sean Davis
Vernon Scott (USA Today Sports Images)
Vernon Scott worked the number one defense all week while Darnell Savage took care of his hamstrings. He did well, including a big interception by Aaron Rodgers during a two-minute drill on Wednesday, and not to be outdone, Sean Davis made his two interceptions on Wednesday.
Once in camp it looked to be one of the least secure positions in terms of depth. Probably not anymore.
“I feel there’s no pressure between us,” Davis said of the rivalry between him and Scott. “At the moment we are just playing ball. We’re just playing the ball, making plays, doing what we have to do when we call on the field.”
Special Team: Jack Coco
Jack Coco (USA Today Sports Images)
There are two realities with big sea bream. One, Jack Coco beat incumbent Stephen Waterl to become the lone snapper against the 49ers, and two, the Packers made his two red snappers a day before Wirtel’s release. did. So Koko understands that just because he’s number one on the depth chart on Friday doesn’t mean he’s number one on the depth chart in Minnesota on September 11th.
“You are always in competition with someone,” Coco said. “No matter what, no matter where you are, you know there’s always competition. People are always looking to replace you.”
