Green Bay Packers 2018 roster preview: Geronimo Allison

Can wide receiver Geronimo Allison take on a bigger role in the Green Bay Packers offense?

Without Jordy Nelson, the Green Bay Packers will need to rely on their young receivers to fill the void.

One of them is Geronimo Allison. For now, Allison is the frontrunner to sit third on the depth chart.

What can we expect from the third-year receiver in 2018?

2017 stats

Last season Allison played 15 games, making 23 receptions for 253 yards. He set career-highs in catches and receiving yards, but failed to find the end zone after scoring twice in 2016.

2017 review

Allison didn’t play enough snaps to earn a big share of Aaron Rodgers‘ targets, but he generally played well when the Packers needed him. An example was in the Week 3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

That afternoon, Allison played a big part in the game, catching six of his eight targets for 122 yards. His 72-yard reception in overtime set up the game-winning field goal.

But it was Allison’s mistake that effectively ended the Packers’ season in Week 15.

After Davante Adams left the game with an injury, Allison was the next man up. He finished the game with five catches for 33 yards, but a costly fumble ended the Packers’ chances of tying the game inside the final two minutes.

The Panthers were able to run down the clock and end the Packers’ eight-year playoff run.

It wasn’t Allison’s fault that Green Bay didn’t make the postseason. There was no guarantee the team would have gone on to tie the game, let alone win. The reason they didn’t make the playoffs was due to Aaron Rodgers’ injury, and failing to win enough games without Rodgers.

But if Allison is to take on a bigger role this season, he’ll need to take care of the football.

Odds of making roster: 100 percent

Following the departure of Jordy Nelson, Allison is set for a bigger role in Green Bay’s offense. Exactly how many targets he receives will depend on the development of the three rookies selected in April’s draft, along with how well Allison plays at training camp.

2018 preview

Can Allison step into the number three receiver role? That is the million dollar question.

We’ve seen the 24-year-old play well in a limited role, and he’s been a reliable receiver when the Packers have needed him. But can he become a regular contributor week in, week out? The Packers need him to.

One of the stories of training camp will be how the wide receiver depth chart shakes out. We know Davante Adams will be the top target. Randall Cobb will do most of his work in the slot. Jimmy Graham will receive some of the targets that once belonged to Nelson.

But there’s an opening on the outside opposite Adams. Maybe Cobb or Graham will move into that role.

Next: Top 30 moments in Green Bay Packers history

The Packers will be hoping Allison, along with at least one rookie, can put together consistent performances on the outside.