Green Bay Packers: Jeff Janis needs to have big preseason

The Green Bay Packers head into the preseason with a talented, deep group of wide receivers, so what does Jeff Janis need to do to secure a roster spot?

Jeff Janis has been a solid contributor on the Green Bay Packers for three seasons. This year, though, the Packers head into the preseason with 12 wide receivers on their roster, and a bunch of talent. Janis will need to prove he still belongs.

Let’s start with the obvious, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb are safe, as is Jordy Nelson. Barring something crazy, you’d expect fifth-round pick DeAngelo Yancey to make the roster as well. That’s leaves eight wide receivers for one, maybe two spot(s).

Janis does have an upper leg on some of the talent, though. Other than his experience with the team, the receiver is a major contributor on special teams. In fact, he recorded an impressive 15 tackles in 2015.

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At receiver, Janis has 15 career catches for 188 yards and one touchdown. Most of that came in 2016. He also has two carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, all of that came in 2016 as well.

So Janis has a decent résumé, and it looks like he’s getting better as the years go by. He’s no longer the biggest receiver on the roster though. He’s not the fastest, or the one with the best hands either. Those numbers aren’t good enough to give him a free pass this preseason, and his now he kind of looks like an underdog, right?

Janis has one simple task this preseason: Perform. The thing is, though, he has a lot of opportunities. It could be a standout performance returning kicks, or on kickoff coverage. He could put up big numbers as a receiver, or show off his versatility on offense.

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In the end, Janis needs to show that he can bring multiple strengths to a team looking for depth. For him, a “big preseason” means showing off that versatility. The Packers aren’t asking for a stud wideout. So Jeff Janis: All-purpose man should do the trick.