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By PACKERSWIRE
By Brandon Carwile
6 standouts from Packers’ preseason opener vs. Browns
Not that the final score really matters, but the Green Bay Packers came out hot in Saturday’s preseason opener and defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-10.
Green Bay’s starters got out to a quick lead, providing the backups with favorable conditions to coast to a victory. Then again, the preseason is less about who won and more about using these games to build the best possible roster, which Saturday’s game film will certainly help with.
The Packers saw a handful of players distinguish themselves during the exhibition, including some looking to take the next step in their second NFL season and some vying for playing time or a roster spot in a competitive position group.
Whatever their circumstance, here are the standouts from Green Bay’s first preseason outing.
QB Jordan Love
It was a short but efficient day for Love, who needed only three snaps to throw a touchdown. Facing a 3rd-and-4 on the opening drive, Love dropped a beautiful deep ball into the hands of Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard touchdown. That was all from the starting quarterback, who completed both passing attempts for 63 yards and a touchdown for a 158.3 passer rating. Only expected to play a series or two, Love’s fast start allowed the team to get a longer look at backups Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt.
WR Dontayvion Wicks
The second-year receiver out of Virginia was on the other end of Love’s touchdown, beating safety Ronnie Hickman on the third play of the game. Wicks was lined up in the slot and used his speed to get behind Hickman. As a rookie, Wicks showed flashes early on and eventually became a key contributor in the passing game. It looks like he is ready to pick up where he left off while fighting for targets in a crowded receiver room.
DE Lukas Van Ness
With some help from a Devonte Wyatt pressure, Van Ness sacked quarterback Jameis Winston for a seven-yard loss to put Cleveland into a long down and distance on their first series. The Browns were forced to attempt a long field goal, a 55-yarder that was made with plenty of distance by Cade York. To continue his disruption as a pass rusher, Van Ness would later get his hands on Tyler Huntley to help Colby Wooden with a sack. The 2023 first-round pick also made a couple of nice plays as a run defender, recording two stops in the backfield. Even though Van Ness is the third option behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, he will be a big part of the defensive line rotation.
WR Grant DuBose
After a back injury sidelined him for the offseason program and most of training camp, DuBose could not make up enough ground to secure a spot on the Packers’ initial 53-man roster last season. However, a healthy and motivated Dubose made the most of his opportunities in Cleveland to begin his 2024 roster campaign. He finished with five receptions totaling 65 yards, including a nice toe-dragging grab to pick up 23 yards and help set up a last-second field goal before halftime. Receiver is already a deep position for the Packers, but DuBose is out to prove that he shouldn’t be overlooked.
S Evan Williams
Every day, it seems as though the rookie safety is making plays out on the practice field. Well, now he is doing it in-game. Williams carried his momentum from training camp, forcing a fumble early in the second half of his first preseason game. He knocked the ball away from running back John Kelly Jr, leading to a recovery from linebacker Kristian Welch. The turnover-causing play set up a 35-yard field goal for Green Bay kicker Greg Joseph to go up 17-3. In addition to the forced fumble, Williams led the team with six solo tackles. Williams will have no problems getting onto the field during the regular season if he continues to have this kind of impact.
RB Emanuel Wilson
Wilson came out of nowhere last August when he recorded a league-high 174 rushing yards in two preseason games. Well, the former undrafted free agent is off to another strong start after logging 13 attempts for 67 yards (5.2 avg) and a touchdown against the Browns. Even though Wilson led all runners in Saturday’s game, he still has a lot to overcome to carve out a role in Green Bay’s backfield. Wilson is competing for snaps with Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon, and Marshawn Lloyd, the newly arrived third-round pick. Wilson managed to defeat the odds last season to make the team, but it will be a much taller task this time around. Even if it’s not with the Packers, Wilson can point to these kinds of performances to show he belongs on an NFL roster.
