Packers: Five players to watch in preseason vs. Raiders

5. Rashan Gary

Looking at the first-round pick during the preseason is kind of an easy out. As the highest pick of the draft, that player is usually followed and scrutinized more than any player on the roster. But, I’m putting Rashan Gary in here simply because I want to see him play in other positions.

As I’ve stated before, I don’t expect Pettine to show much, the Bears are only two weeks away, but I do expect us to see slightly more than we have. Even though the preseason isn’t what it used to be, the third game is still the time a team can and will show more. With different combinations of players or players in different areas. They can do this without showing much scheme. Just enough for a player to get comfortable with those situations around them in a game setting.

I’d like to see the same with Gary. So far, we have only seen him play with other second and third-teamers. We’ve also only seen Gary as an outside linebacker. I’d love to see Gary work alongside Za’Darius Smith and the rest of the first-team defense. Either as a designated rusher alongside the starters, or that three outside linebacker package we’ve read about in practice. Or just with his hand in the dirt rushing from the D-line.

I know the main course will be saved for September, but I’d like to get an appetizer in August.