It's that time of year to wildly exaggerate the potential of late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents (UDFAs) based on a small sample of training camp and preseason snaps.
Training camp has historically produced dozens of late summer stars (raise your hand if you too were part of the Vic So'oto and Tyrell Sutton bandwagons). But, every few years, the Packers strike gold on one of these preseason heroes, such as 2007 sixth-rounder Desmond Bishop, who ultimately evolved into a multi-year starter at linebacker.
Amongst the ample, young talent on this year's training camp roster, three players in particular may truly be capable of extended stays in Green Bay.
S Vernon Scott: When the Packers chose to move on from Raven Greene this past offseason, it was an opportunity for fourth-year Packer Will Redmond to assume a more prominent role in the secondary - but also a vote of confidence in the Packers' safety youth, i.e. Vernon Scott, Henry Black and new UDFA, Innes Gaines.
Scott, a 2020 seventh-rounder, received more snaps last season than one would normally expect for a rookie of his pedigree. But, the TCU product made the most of them - contributing consistently in coverage and run support - and has followed it up with a strong start to this year's camp. Look for Scott to edge out Black and Gaines for the fourth safety spot and compete for playing time in nickel and dime packages.
RB Kylin Hill: With two big preseason performances under his belt, this 2021 seventh-rounder is no longer the Packers' best-kept secret. Instead of contemplating whether Hill will make the team, his loaded stat lines have already spurred conversation about how exactly he'll be incorporated into the workload shared by Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
A reliable, decisive runner with good hands, Hill seems to have leapfrogged third-year back Dexter Williams as the third running back on the roster. With proven ability in the screen game, Hill must now demonstrate the same level of competence in pass protection to secure meaningful playing time past the preseason.
CB Kabion Ento: The Packers have made a habit of finding promising, young DB talent in the form of UDFAs during training camp, with Sam Shields, Brandian Ross and LaDarius Gunter as some of the best examples. Last season, it was Kabion Ento who drew praise from the coaching staff but, unfortunately, was shortchanged of opportunity due to the absence of a 2020 preseason.
During 11-on-11 drills in training camp, Ento has consistently been around the ball and, accordingly, has seen an uptick in his share of defensive snaps over other corners on the roster. Despite still being a work in progress and delivering just a mixed performance against the Jets during Week 2 of the preseason, Ento remains on the inner track to securing the sixth cornerback spot on the active roster.
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