5. Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a somewhat of rough start to the game. On a sideline pass he was unable to get both feet in bounds for what would have been a first down. The next play? The first of Rodgers’ two fumbles.
Valdes-Scantling did pick it up however. The rookie caught the same type of ball and got both feet in bounds on the next chance he got. In all, he finished with 68 yards on seven catches and a touchdown.
It’s clear by virtue of playing time, Valdes-Scantling has earned the trust of Rodgers and the coaching staff more than Equanimeous St. Brown or J’Mon Moore. MVS has been active all five games and is seeing his role increase due to injuries.
Valdes-Scantling has made his share of mistakes, but they are going to happen with rookies. But he is also showing a lot of promise. I would like to see the Packers use his speed a bit more and take a few shots down the field. But for now, MVS is making the most of his opportunities and will only continue to grow.
It’s telling that despite being drafted a round earlier, or two rounds earlier in the case of St. Brown, Moore has not been used more and this was only his second game on the active game day roster. It would be nice if Moore’s situation was like Stefon Diggs‘. Diggs sat on the bench for more than a quarter of his rookie season then exploded onto the scene for the Minnesota Vikings.