Packers: Jake Kumerow deserves to make 53-man roster
Jake Kumerow should make the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster.
Kumerow has been one of the biggest surprises for the Green Bay Packers at training camp. And he deserves to make the roster.
After the Packers drafted three wide receivers, Kumerow wasn’t given a chance to make the roster.
Not so fast.
The 26-year-old has been excellent throughout camp, and more importantly, he’s been consistent.
Kumerow had to be near-perfect to have a chance of making the roster, but he’s gone from a long shot to a frontrunner.
Each of the Packers’ rookie receivers have been inconsistent all summer, which should come as no surprise. Kumerow, though, has taken just about every opportunity that has come his way. And importantly, he has earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers.
“I have confidence in him,” Rodgers said, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. “He’s in the right spot all the time, he makes contested catches, finishes the right way. He practices like a pro.”
Rodgers throws to the receivers he trusts. And the fact he now has confidence in Kumerow says it all. The former Bengal and Patriot deserves to make Green Bay’s roster.
But Kumerow’s good work hasn’t ended on the practice field. He’s also played well in the Packers’ two preseason games. He has a combined six catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns. According to Zach Kruse of Packers Wire, no receiver has more yards than him through two games.
I know preseason stats don't mean much of anything, BUT ... #Packers WR Jake Kumerow leads the NFL in receiving yards (190), all six of his catches have been touchdowns or first downs and he has three catches over 20 yards and two over 40.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) August 21, 2018
Kumerow’s two touchdowns were of the highest quality, too. His first was a 52-yard catch from quarterback Tim Boyle in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans. He then added an 82-yard score from DeShone Kizer against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So, how many receivers will the Packers keep?
In my latest 53-man roster predictions, I have the team keeping seven.
Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison are all roster locks.
I expect the Packers to keep all three of their rookie receivers: J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown. While Moore has struggled with drops, he has far too much potential to cut.
Then comes Kumerow. And the way things stand, he’ll be above each of the rookie receivers on the depth chart, potentially as the team’s fourth receiver.
From a long shot to even make the roster, to possibly becoming the Packers’ fourth wide receiver by Week 1. Not bad at all.
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Kumerow has done everything he needs to, and there should be a spot on the 53-man roster reserved for him now.