Packers 2022 roster preview: Can Malik Taylor make the roster?
There will be plenty of competition at training camp for the Green Bay Packers‘ wide receivers.
With Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown all gone, we will see significant changes at wide receiver for the Packers this season.
Green Bay did draft three receivers, but the competition for spots on the 53-man roster will be on this summer. Can Malik Taylor make the initial 53?
2021 stats
Taylor was active in 10 games for the Packers in 2021. Most of his work came on special teams.
On offense, Taylor only had two receptions for 14 yards. On special teams, he returned five kicks for 97 yards with a long of 32 yards. He averaged 19.4 yards per return.
According to Pro Football Reference, Taylor played 32 offensive snaps and 132 special teams snaps for the Packers last season.
2021 season review
Opportunities were always going to be limited on offense for Taylor.
The Packers had Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Allen Lazard ahead of him on the depth chart entering the offseason, then drafted Amari Rodgers and traded for Randall Cobb.
Taylor did make the initial 53-man roster, though, which shows just how much the Packers valued his special teams contributions.
Unsurprisingly, Taylor played the majority of his snaps on special teams.
Will he make the roster?
There will be a lot of competition for a spot on the 53.
Taylor will need to outperform Juwann Winfree and rookie Samori Toure just to have a shot at making the roster.
What to expect in 2022
Taylor’s special teams experience will help him, and he has contributed when given an opportunity on offense.
Whether Taylor can make the roster and contribute this season could come down to how many wide receivers the Packers keep.
Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Amari Rodgers are roster locks. Based on Matt LaFleur’s comments, it sure seems like Sammy Watkins is a lock to make the roster, too.
That’s six.
If the Packers only keep six receivers, they are probably already set. If they keep a seventh, Taylor will have a shot. His special teams abilities could make the difference.