Packers: 3 players who need to step up in preseason opener

Devin Funchess

Earlier in the year it may have seemed Devin Funchess was a roster lock. In a position the Packers needed better depth, Funchess would bring plenty of experience and give Aaron Rodgers another reliable target.

Since then, the Packers have traded for Randall Cobb, while Juwann Winfree has been a standout performer during training camp. All of a sudden, Funchess faces a real possibility of being on the outside looking in when the Packers trim their roster down to 53 players.

With five wide receivers likely roster locks, Funchess is effectively competing for the sixth spot. And at this stage, it’s not even a guarantee the Packers will keep six receivers on the initial 53 next month. If they do, Funchess will need to win the spot ahead of Winfree, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Malik Taylor.

Funchess has had a quiet training camp to this point. He also didn’t help his chances by using an anti-Asian slur when speaking to reporters following Family Night. GM Brian Gutekunst said he didn’t consider cutting Funchess after making the comment but did say that it was “very unacceptable”.

Funchess is yet to make the impact on the practice field the Packers might have hoped for, so he’ll need to impress in the preseason to improve his chances of making the 53-man roster.