In late July, when Packers Wire took a detailed look at the Green Bay Packers’ looming competition at wide receiver, only one player landed in the “long shot” category.
Malik Taylor.
A month and a half later, Taylor officially overcame the odds, beating out four other receivers to win a spot on the Packers’ initial 53-man roster as the team’s fifth receiver.
Don’t ever let somebody tell you, you can’t do something.
— Malik Taylor (@Taylor12Malik) September 5, 2020
We didn’t completely dismiss Taylor’s chances.
The analysis from July: “Long shots at receiver have made the roster before. Just ask Darrius Shepherd. Taylor has good size and a full year of work in the Matt LaFleur offense, so he can’t be completely dismissed. All these guys are talented. Many just need the right opportunity at the right time. Maybe this summer is the intersection of the two for Taylor.”
The right opportunity intersected with the right time, and Taylor made the most of it.
Taylor beat out Jake Kumerow, Darrius Shepherd, Malik Turner and Reggie Begelton for the final receiver spot.
The Packers signed Taylor, an undrafted free agent from Ferris State, off the street last July. He spent the entire 2019 season on the team’s practice squad, providing valuable experience in Matt LaFleur’s offense and laying the foundation for his run at a roster spot this summer.
“My main goal is to be a part of this team,” Taylor told Grant Matheny of Packers Wire. “I want to be a part of this team more than anything. I know this team has what it takes to make it to that last game. When training camp comes around, whenever we go back, I want to do everything I can to make this team.”
Mission accomplished.
