By Marques Eversoll
When Jared Abbrederis was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL, the battle for the Packers’ No. 5 receiver job became even cloudier. Abbrederis, a fifth-round rookie, certainly wasn’t guaranteed the job, but he looked like the frontrunner at the time of his injury.
Now, things are different.
Jeff Janis, the seventh-round pick who missed the first seven training camp practices with shingles, is shining among the other receivers fighting for roster spots. Janis made one of the best plays of camp August 6 with a one-handed touchdown in the corner of the endzone over Sam Shields—the same guy the Packers just signed to a $39 million extension.
He hasn’t even played a game yet, but he sure looks like the Packers’ No. 5 receiver (at least) to me.
On Tuesday, he made a diving catch on a deep ball from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. On Wednesday, he got some run as a gunner on the punt team, one day after returning a couple punts. The coaches have taken notice, and they’re seeing what he can do in different spots.
He hasn’t dropped many passes, and he’s made a couple of the toughest grabs in the Packers’ 13-practice-and-counting 2014 training camp. His competitors have made their share of plays, but they haven’t shown in 13 practices what Janis has in seven.
“He’s made a play every time he’s been out there,” McCarthy said August 12 of Janis. “He had another big play again today, so he looks good. You know, hopefully we can get him fully cleared by the medical staff to play Saturday night.”
The Packers, after weathering a downpour in Tennessee last weekend, will play the Rams indoors in St. Louis on Saturday, which should provide a perfect opportunity for Janis and the others to showcase their abilities.
Chris Harper, who got some run as the fifth receiver even before Abbrederis’s injury, has shown flashes in camp but seems to be on a “one step forward, two steps back” trend. He’s bigger and stronger (6-1 228) than his competitors, but he’s had more bad drops than great catches.
Myles White, who has bulked up since last season, has been relatively quiet this summer. He has the edge in experience (seven appearances) over the others vying for the job, but despite adding some weight in the offseason, he hasn’t opened eyes as much as he’s shrugged shoulders.
Kevin Dorsey is like Harper and White, likely falling into the same category as Alex Gillett and Gerrard Sheppard; they’re all guys who have shown flashes but haven’t done anything extraordinary, with the exception of an improbable grab by Gillett early in camp.
The Packers will likely keep a receiver or two on the eight-man practice squad, as Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy have routinely praised the position’s depth throughout the offseason. Whether they keep five or six remains to be seen, but Janis gives the Packers five safe bets.
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams (as a second-round pick) are guarantees to make the roster. Jarrett Boykin hasn’t had a great camp, but he’d have to be really, really bad over the last couple weeks to get cut. And Janis has already proven to be the fifth-most talented receiver on the team.
If they keep five, it’ll be Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Boykin and Janis. If they keep six, it’ll be Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Boykin, Janis and someone else. Health permitting, Janis is safe.
You can hear Marques on SportsLine, Monday through Friday 4:00-6:00pm on WDUZ 107.5 FM and 1400 AM “The Fan” and on the Saturday Morning Showcase at 8 am on Saturdays. You can follow him on Twitter @MJEversoll and/or email him at [email protected].
