Does he have your attention now? After a fairly quiet training camp, Green Bay Packers rookie Chris McClellan made his mark in Week 2 of the preseason against the Denver Broncos.
McClellan didn't merely impact the box score, which he populated with six tackles and a TFL. He menaced the Broncos' offensive line all night. He outworked or overpowered his blockers. He pressured the quarterback. He clogged up the line.
Expected to play a significant role on the defensive front, the former Missouri defensive lineman hadn't yet followed up on his post-draft hype by making his fair share of training-camp headlines. McClellan's performance Friday was just what fans were waiting to see.
Chris McClellan showcased his talents in Packers' win vs. Broncos
He was arguably the Packers' biggest draft investment, given that they traded up to No. 77 to get him in exchange for Nos. 84 and 160. Despite that, McClellan did not feature among the defensive tackle prospects regurgitated in Packers mock drafts. Many fans didn't love the move at first.
That quickly changed once McClellan's versatility, work ethic, and football IQ sprang to life in all the post-pick analysis. He made a positive impression in rookie minicamp for his ability to learn quickly. Although we didn't hear a whole lot about him during the dog days of camp, he reminded everyone why the Packers spent valuable assets to bring him to Green Bay.
Lined up as an end in a 3-4 defensive front, McClellan showcased the versatility that resides in his 6-foot-3, 313-pound frame. He matched up against first-team Broncos linemen and stuck around for work in Green Bay's second unit as well. First team, second team, it didn't matter. He dominated.
One of the more intriguing questions around McClellan is how the Packers will use him. His bulk allows him to play nose tackle if called upon, but Green Bay seems to favor a by-committee rotation there, with someone like Jonathan Ford potentially cracking the roster as a pure nose.
McClellan will make the 53-man roster, but it's also not clear what his role will look like from a playing-time perspective. His lack of a dominant training camp has left him battling for position behind the two obvious starters in Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave.
A performance like Friday's could help McClellan build momentum as Green Bay prepares to wrap up the preseason against the Arizona Cardinals later this week. After that, the Week 1 roster and depth chart will be effectively solidified.
Not to be greedy, but another outing like the last one from McClellan is something Packers fans would love to see.
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