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Packers: Opportunity for Devante Mays following Aaron Jones suspension

By Freddie Boston

GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 31: Devante Mays #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball while be chased by Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 31, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 31: Devante Mays #32 of the Green Bay Packers runs with the ball while be chased by Bryce Hager #54 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 31, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers running back Devante Mays enters an important training camp.

With Aaron Jones suspended for the first two games of the regular season, the Green Bay Packers will turn to Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams to take on the majority of the carries at running back.

But if head coach Mike McCarthy wants to use a third back in the opening two contests, second-year Devante Mays could be the player to step up.

Mays, a seventh-round pick a year ago, was the third running back selected by the Packers in the 2017 NFL Draft.

But unlike Williams and Jones, who combined for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns in their debut seasons, Mays didn’t make the most of his opportunity.

Mays didn’t see much of the field in the regular season. He had just four carries all year, finishing with one yard, but two costly fumbles against the Baltimore Ravens.

Many had high praise for Mays before his rookie season with the Packers. That included Shawn Wagner of Acme Packing Company, who wrote a great piece about Mays last summer.

“There’s a lot to like in Devante Mays. He has the size, power, and speed to be a significant contributor in the NFL if he can display receiving skills and consistent vision and patience,” Wagner wrote.

Mays didn’t get an opportunity to show what he could do in the regular season. After fumbling twice, Mike McCarthy sent him to the bench.

At training camp, which begins in three weeks time, Mays will have the opportunity to show he’s improved and is ready for a bigger opportunity in the Packers offense.

With Jones out for the opening two games of the season, McCarthy could look for a third running back to use as part of the rotation during those two games.

Mays will need to play well — both at camp and during preseason — to earn an opportunity in the regular season.

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But there’s a reason why the Packers drafted him. Forget the 2017 season. Mays now has an opportunity to show McCarthy what he can do.

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