It appeared that the Green Bay Packers were looking for a certain type of player at the wide receiver position going into this season. Tall and fast were the essential requirements. These seem to be the attributes for what Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is looking for in a wide receiver. Davante Adams (6’1″), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6’4″), Equanimeous St. Brown (6’5″), Geronimo Allison (6’3″), and even Jake Kumerow (6’4″) all fit the new NFL prototype for a wide receiver. But in this year’s camp, there is a wide receiver that doesn’t fit in that category that is making some noise. Undrafted free agent Darrius Shepherd has been making a case for himself to be on the Packers opening 53 man roster.
Darrius Shepherd Trying to Make the Final Packers Roster
If you are a fan of North Dakota State football, you know Darrius Shepherd quite well. He was a standout wide receiver for the Bison for four years. In his four years, he accumulated 188 receptions for 2,841 receiving yards with 20 touchdown receptions.
His best season at North Dakota State was last season, his final with the Bison. He hauled in 62 catches for 1,065 with nine touchdown catches. Those numbers helped him earn second-team FCS All American honors.
While the numbers that he put up playing in Fargo helped lead him to be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Packers, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Shepherd brings with him a tradition of being on a winning program. In his four years at North Dakota State, he was a contributor to three national championship programs (2015, 2017, 2018).
It appears that the Packers, not only got a talented player in Darrius Shepherd but one that has a winning background.
Taking Advantage of an Opportunity
It doesn’t matter that not much was said when the Packers signed Darrius Shepherd this past May. If you were to ask him, it probably doesn’t matter much to him either. He knows he was given an opportunity and it appears he has taken advantage of that opportunity.
Since the beginning of training camp, Shepherd has been a standout. It appears that Shepherd isn’t afraid to play on the big stage. From what he has done in camp, it has drawn the attention of his standout quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
His solid play in camp has followed Shepherd into preseason game action as well. In their first preseason game against the Houston Texans, Shepherd hooked up with Deshone Kizer for a 14-yard touchdown. Then this past week, against the Baltimore Ravens, Tim Boyle hit him for a seven-yard touchdown.
While Shepherd is helping himself as a receiver, he also showed against the Ravens he can be a returner. He returned two kickoffs and averaged 25.5 yards per kickoff. He has also returned three punts this preseason with a 6.3 yards per punt return.
If Darrius Shepherd can also show he is capable of being a returner, as well as a receiver, it might increase his chances for a roster spot. Trevor Davis, who has shown that he can be a solid returner for the Packers, has yet to develop as a receiver. Along with that, he has also battled injuries. If Shepherd can show he can contribute as a returner, it will probably be the end of Davis with the Packers. It will also give Shepherd a better chance to make the roster.
Different Is Not Always Bad
While Gutekunst seems to have a certain type for wide receivers, having a different body type might actually help out Darrius Shepherd.
This past off-season, the Packers parted ways with veteran slot receiver Randall Cobb. Cobb was your prototype slot receiver and a very productive one at times during his Packers career. He didn’t have blazing speed, but he did have good sudden quickness. From just the small sampling we have seen of Shepherd, he appears to be very similar to Cobb. Now, that isn’t saying that Shepherd will be as productive as Cobb was, but he does have some similar characteristics.
In the current group of Packers receivers, Shepherd is the only one to have a prototypical slot receiver body. While tall long receivers are the rave currently, there is still a place for the quick and shifty slot receiver. Shepherd’s build and skills fit to what a slot receiver is asked to do. With being the only receiver currently on the Packers roster with that build and skill set, it could give him a leg up on a roster spot.
So You’re Saying There’s a Chance
From everything that has been reported out of camp and from his production in preseason games, Darrius Shepherd has a very good chance of making the Packers opening day roster. That shouldn’t come as a shock from those who have seen it. So far, he has earned it.
But one thing he will need to overcome is the politics of football. Gutekunst drafted J’Mon Moore in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. It happened to be Gutekunst’s first draft as the top player evaluator for the Packers. Moore struggled in his rookie season and his struggles have continued. Shepherd has outplayed him and if they are going off of production, he should make the roster over Moore.
Still, that doesn’t guarantee Shepherd a roster spot. To do so, Gutekunst, who is very self-confident, will have to admit he made a mistake. Not just by using a fourth-round pick on Moore, but selecting him altogether. If Gutekunst is the team guy he says he is, he will cut Moore and Shepherd will make the cut.
Shepherd entered camp as a long shot. But his production and how he has practiced has earned him the right to make the Packers roster.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
