Training camp is just about set to open for the Green Bay Packers, and there is one position fans are likely more eager to watch than any other: wide receiver.
The Packers invested into the position in a way unlike any recent years, and when all was said and done, they had only brought on one undrafted rookie after having drafted the likes of Matthew Golden and Savion Williams.
It's that very undrafted rookie, though, who faces a very difficult road ahead in getting his NFL career off the ground: Sam Brown Jr. out of Miami.
The 6-foot-2 outside target came to the Packers with that very same type of chance at making the roster; an outside shot.
Sam Brown Jr. will be product of stiff competition at wide receiver during Packers training camp
While most undrafted rookies are signed in the first couple of days following the NFL Draft, Brown wasn't signed until May 25th. Coming aboard almost a month after many of the other rookies automatically put him behind the eight ball.
But, there are a lot of factors which will work against him, not just coming on later than most.
The biggest factor is, of course, the competition. Green Bay has a select few wideouts who are likely not going anywhere: Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks.
Of those four, Wicks might be the most expendable, but his positive flashes have slightly outweighed the negatives early on in his career. Watson will probably start the year on injured reserve, which opens up another roster spot, essentially.
But, Brown still has to deal with Mecole Hardman, Malik Heath, and Bo Melton as the tougher competition ahead of him on the depth chart.
Brown made a couple of stops during his collegiate career, from West Virginia to Houston and lastly to Miami, where he caught passes from this year's no. 1 overall pick, Cam Ward. Brown's best season came in 2023, at Houston, when he caught 62 passes for 815 yards and three scores.
His production went down last year, which was probably a significant reason why he wound up undrafted. Now, it's looking like he doesn't even have a shot at a roster spot and training camp hasn't yet opened.
If he can work his way onto the practice squad, though, Brown could develop into a future depth piece. His NFL frame, near-42-inch vertical and physical style are all tantalizing aspects to work with.