Early signs coming out of the Packers offseason workout program suggest Geronimo Allison will be the heavy favorite to start the 2019 season as the offense’s new slot receiver.
Teammate Davante Adams said after OTAs on Wednesday that Allison is playing “a lot” in the slot so far and then even compared Allison to former Packers slot receiver Randall Cobb, who left Green Bay to sign in Dallas this offseason.
“It’s a little different, having a guy like G-Mo, he’s a little bit taller than me. He’s been playing a lot in the slot right now. But it’s nothing he can’t handle, can’t do,” Adams said. “Him and Cobb have a similar skill set. You haven’t really been able to see it as much because G-Mo played outside for the most part. But this gives him an opportunity to get out there and show what he can do.”
Allison lined up in the slot for the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills Wednesday, with Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the outside.
Earlier this month, we highlighted Allison as a player fitting the mold of a slot receiver in Matt LaFleur’s offense. It appears LaFleur and Adams agree.
While Allison and Cobb have vastly different body types and play styles, they’re both smart, reliable players capable of picking the right option routes from the slot and wiggling open in the middle of the field. Allison might not be able to match Cobb’s short-area quickness or natural run after the catch ability, but he does bring added size and toughness to the slot, much like Mohamed Sanu in Atlanta and Cooper Kupp in Los Angeles.
Also, quarterback Aaron Rodgers displayed a growing sense of trust in Allison last season as he emerged as the offense’s second most productive receiver through the first month of the year.
Healthy again to start 2019, Allison is being provided every opportunity to lock down an important role in LaFleur’s offense.
It’s early in the process, but the Packers appear confident in Allison possessing the necessary tools to play in the slot. He looks destined to open training camp as the offense’s replacement for Cobb in the slot.
