Packers Stock Report: Quarterbacks, Hawkins Impress

At the midway point of the 2017 preseason, the Packers’ roster is rife with position battles and players fighting to still be around after the team eventually trims its ranks to 53. The team’s second preseason game at Washington saw some players build upon strong week one performances, some taking a step or two backwards, and some just continuing to struggle.

Whose stock was affected most against Washington?

Rising

Quarterbacks: No one thought they’d be writing about Aaron Rodgers this week, but the two-time MVP played one series and treated the viewing audience to a fantastic 15-play touchdown drive—extended when Rodgers caught Washington with 12 men on the field—capped by a touchdown to new teammate Martellus Bennett. After Rodgers exited, Brett Hundley built on his strong week one performance by completing nine of 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. If Hundley is indeed trade bait, the reward for the Packers keeps growing little by little. Rookie Taysom Hill got to show off his legs on a 23-yard touchdown run, during which he utilized both a stiff-arm and a nifty (for a quarterback) juke move.

Josh Hawkins: The second-year corner earned a chance to run with the first team and did not disappoint. Hawkins was a sure tackler, which was a welcome sight after the entire defense struggled in that department in week one. He also factored in several pass breakups and showed good situational awareness throughout his time on the field. The Packers liked him enough to make him a special team regular a year ago, and more performances like the one he turned in against Washington will secure him a roster spot in an expanded role.

Falling

Jason Spriggs: The second-year, former second-round pick failed to redeem himself after a disappointing preseason debut. Spriggs seemed to be a step (or two) slow for the duration of his night, as he was beaten on multiple occasions. What he has put on tape so far has to be concerning to those in charge at 1265 Lombardi, who are, like the rest of us, probably just hoping Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari make it through the season unscathed.

Trevor Davis: A week after electrifying Lambeau Field and vaulting himself up the ranks with a sweet punt return touchdown, Davis opened the door in the punt returner battle once again when he muffed his first opportunity of the night. Last week, I wrote about Davis’s chances of winning the job and said reliability would be key. It only takes one mistake to put doubt in the minds of a coaching staff that has trotted Randall Cobb and Micah Hyde out there in recent years due to their consistency in catching the football. Davis is by no means a lock to make the team purely as a receiver, which could mean the battle for the last couple roster spots just heated up as well.

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Comments (8)

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cheesehead1's picture

August 22, 2017 at 11:56 am

Hoping Spriggs can be coached up and put two poor performances behind him. With our injury history, we'll need someone to help out the OL.

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cuervo's picture

August 22, 2017 at 12:19 pm

" Brett Hundley built on his strong week one performance".......you were watching a different game than I was. I think his passer rating was 66 or around there. Other than his one nice TD pass, he was horrid in week one.

Hopefully he continues to play like he did this last week, and we can maybe get a 3rd round pick for him, otherwise he'll simply be a comp pick. The only way we get anything higher than that for a guy that has ZERO in season experience, is if Rodgers gets hurt and he shows something this season. I for one, am hoping that does not happen.

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stockholder's picture

August 22, 2017 at 01:03 pm

Guys falling/Rising. Davis was great at a PR, then.... Hard to put any stock in these guys yet. Even if they make the 53. Their production hardly will be noticed. TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE YET.

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Ferrari Driver's picture

August 22, 2017 at 06:23 pm

From what I've seen out of Davis, I would hate to see him in Green Bay trying to field a punt during December with the wind blowing and game temperature around 10 degrees or lower.

Cobb seems to be the most reliable and the rookie, McCafferty looks sure-handed as well and he does have some speed.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2017 at 04:13 am

Davis fumbled during the ball security drill during Tuesday's practice. He's muffed two punts in practice, and a third in a game. I am going to need a portable defibrillator if Davis is catching punts on a windy, cold day outside in December.

OTOH, when he's got the ball in his hands on a PR, Davis can generate serious excitement then as well. I probably need a defibrillator just in general when I watch packer games.

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Packer_Fan's picture

August 22, 2017 at 06:37 pm

Regarding Hawkins. Finally good news regarding the cornerbacks. Hope Hawkins can keep up the good play. Need that depth. Seems like Randall and Gunter are being moved around to find out where they can be the best subs. If you want Randall to play the slot, then keep him there. Moving to the outside makes no sense. Gunter, let Hawkins and the others get as many snaps as possible. If he is playing, teams will scheme to get him into the slot to take advantage of the mismatch.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 23, 2017 at 05:51 am

I agree that Travor Davis is in trouble. But do not forget that all guys serving as PR for Packers were fumbling and making wrong decisions. Cobb, Hyde even Jordy in his first years with Packers. It looks that McCaffry was very confident in catching the punts in second half of the game, but wait, just when he will fumble the first time. Than what? Trade for Hyde (who also has few fumbles in his PR carrier!) or using Randall Cobb (see above - he had several fumbles as PR/KR as well as WR).

Few days ago I said that Aaron talks how excellent Davis is, but he was talking about Abby the same. We all knows what happened to Abby. Aaron praises Adams 2 seasons ago, claiming that Davante will be star in NFL, and you all know how troubled season he had. It looks like it is better not to be mentioned by Aaron during TC, because it will not finish good for the WR he praises...

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PatrickGB's picture

August 23, 2017 at 10:01 am

My amateur take on Spriggs is that they felt he just needed a bit of bulk to bring him up to NFL standards. It worked for Bak. I think that it may have backfired with Spriggs. Perhaps he just needs to continue to work on the basics and regain his confidence. The left tackle position is a tough one to play. There are a shortage of good ones around the league. Heck even Newhouse is still playing! Early reports on Spriggs before the draft gave him a high ceiling. That may still be the case and unlike Bak he may not be able to step in right away. Right now we have two TEs that can block so if he gets thrown into a game he gets some help. Let's hope that it doesn't come to that. I expect that he will be better next year and Barkley, Murphy are the best we have as backups at OT this year.

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