Bo Melton's switch from wide receiver to cornerback initially raised eyebrows. Then his performances turned heads. Now, the Green Bay Packers veteran is all but guaranteed to make the 53-man roster.
In a forgettable night at Lambeau that provided far more negatives than positives for the Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur quietly provided clarity over Melton's future. It's not about a specific moment or play, but how the Packers used their receiver-turned-cornerback. LaFleur pulled Melton early from the contest, a clear sign that he is part of his long-term plans.
"If you thought Bo Melton wasn't a roster lock, he was wearing a ball cap with his pads off on the sideline in the third quarter," Matt Schneidman of The Athletic wrote during the game.
Packers all but confirm Bo Melton will make the 53-man roster during preseason opener
LaFleur's decision tells the story.
If there were any jeopardy over Melton's future, he likely would've played far deeper into the contest. Pulling him so early shows LaFleur doesn't need to see anything more from the veteran.
It's clear how much the Packers value Melton, who has received first-team reps over the past week after an injury to Nate Hobbs. He has taken to cornerback far quicker than anyone could've imagined, and while he still faces a steep learning curve, the early signs are promising.
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Melton also offers value as a receiver and special teams contributor. The latter may become even more important after safety Zayne Anderson and cornerback Corey Ballentine, two core special teamers, suffered injuries on Saturday night.
The question between now and Week 1 is exactly where Melton sits on the depth chart.
When everyone is healthy, Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, and Carrington Valentine are the presumed starters. Javon Bullard can handle slot duties if required, and the Packers recently brought back Ballentine, who will compete for the CB4 job.
Melton is in the mix. The Packers have given him precious first-team reps sporadically throughout camp, once again showing their trust in him.
Melton's receiving background gives him the ball skills to become a turnover machine in the NFL. If he can quickly adapt to the other job requirements, like tackling well and mastering the assignments on run defense, there's no reason why he can't contribute this season.
The Packers certainly believe so, as they all but confirmed his spot on the 53-man roster in the preseason opener.