Green Bay Packers 2016 position preview: Wide receivers
By Dan Dahlke
Long Shots: Geronimo Allison (6-3, 202), Jamel Johnson (6-2, 217), Herb Waters (6-0, 188), Ed Williams (6-0, 196)
The Packers always like to keep at least one or two of these receivers on their practice squad. Often, a supposed “long shot” even gets called up to the active roster during the regular season once injuries hit.
The most intriguing guy to watch in camp may be former Illinois wideout Geranimo Allison. At 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds, he gives the Packers a big body to make plays downfield and win jump balls.
He’s also coming off a strong senior campaign, where he recorded 65 receptions for 882 yards and three touchdowns. While he doesn’t possess the speed (4.58) as the other undrafted free agents, he is a crisp route runner with strong hands.
He’s a guy that could make some plays in the preseason and push for a roster spot.
Johnson and Williams are both second-year players who spent some time on the Packers practice squad in 2015. While Williams was with Green Bay in camp last year, Johnson was signed to the Packers practice squad in early December.
We’ll see if their experience with the Packers playbook will give them an edge over the other young wide receivers in camp this summer.
Waters is the last player to round out this group. While he doesn’t turn hands with his size or speed (4.51), his 38.5-inch vertical at his pro day did help put him on the radar as an NFL prospect.
The former Hurricane only started a handful of games for Miami, but he was an effective slot receiver in their three-receiver sets, recording 41 receptions for 621 yards and one touchdown as a senior.
Unfortunately, for Waters, Allison, Johnson, and Williams, Green Bay enters training camp loaded at wide receiver. It would take a rash of injuries for them to earn a roster spot, but having said this, they could show enough potential to land a spot on the practice squad.