A standout from the offseason workout program is stacking success to start Green Bay Packers training camp.
Nearly every day, receiver Juwann Winfree has made a noteworthy play or two – and his coach is noticing the offseason carryover.
“I think Juwann’s done a lot of great things,” coach Matt LaFleur said, via Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. “I think he’s kind of picked up where he left off in the offseason program and OTAs. Obviously being with us throughout the course of the season last year definitely laid a good foundation for him so he understands what the expectations are.”
Winfree, a sixth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2019, spent 16 weeks on the Packers’ practice squad last season. He came back after a year in Green Bay and impressed throughout the offseason workout program, making catch after catch as a top option with many of the top receivers not participating.
It’s one thing to make plays during the spring. It’s another to turn those successes into something more at training camp, where roster spots are ultimately won and lost.
While MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed the offseason workout program, he can see a difference in the young receiver at camp.
“Juwann has had a really nice offseason. He looks, body-wise, differently,” Rodgers said Wednesday.
Winfree is engaged in a fierce position battle at receiver. The top five at the position might be locks, but there’s room for a sixth or seventh receiver on the roster, especially if a player like Winfree keeps standing out during camp.
As always, preseason games will be vital to the evaluation of the young receivers. The Packers have Family Night on Saturday, exactly one week before the preseason kicks off with a visit from the Houston Texans. Winfree must keep impressing over the next three or four weeks.
