Packers: Rashan Gary, Josh Jackson continue to impress
Rashan Gary and Josh Jackson continue to impress for the Packers at training camp.
Two players the Green Bay Packers need to step up this year are second-year edge rusher Rashan Gary and third-year cornerback Josh Jackson.
The good news for the Packers is that both players have been impressive throughout training camp.
That continued on Sunday when the team was back on the field for the second of four consecutive days of practice.
Gary, the Packers’ first choice in the 2019 NFL Draft, is expected to see a significant increase in snaps in his second season. If he reaches his potential, Green Bay’s pass rush could be the best in the league. And Gary looks well on his way to a big second-year jump.
There have been some encouraging reports about Gary’s performances at training camp, including this one from Cheesehead TV’s Aaron Nagler on Sunday.
Rashan Gary has had three really strong rushes to start the latest team stuff. Guy is going to be a problem for opponents.
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) August 23, 2020
Considering how many times Za’Darius Smith is double-teamed and the attention Preston Smith will also receive from opponents, look out for Gary this season. He can be a difference-maker for this defense.
It’s also exciting to hear about the development of Jackson.
The third-year cornerback has struggled to find a role on defense over the past two years. The Packers moved him around and he spent some time at safety. But no more. With a focus on just playing outside cornerback, Jackson may have finally found his spot in this defense.
Jackson has been one of the pleasant surprises at training camp so far, and he backed that up with another good practice on Sunday, according to Cheesehead TV’s Andy Herman.
Josh Jackson is having a day and a camp. Just had ultra tight coverage on Ervin. Pass falls incomplete.
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) August 23, 2020
Search “Josh Jackson” on Twitter and you’ll see the phrase “pass breakup” an awful lot.
Like Gary, if Jackson can reach his potential this season, the arrow for this defense will be pointing directly up. Green Bay had high hopes for Jackson after drafting him in the second round back in 2018.
Both Gary and Jackson need to translate strong performances in practice into the regular season, but the Packers couldn’t have asked for much more from either player at training camp to this point.
If they can both take a step up this year, good luck to opposing offenses against this defense.