Green Bay Packers: DeAngelo Yancey can take the next step
By Hunter Noll
The Green Bay Packers have lost wide receiver Jordy Nelson this offseason. This could give DeAngelo Yancey the opening he needs to step up.
The passing scene of the Green Bay Packers will look drastically different in 2018. That’s thanks to a massive addition and a massive subtraction. Tight end Jimmy Graham was brought in to finally give Aaron Rodgers an elite weapon at that position. The receiving group lost Jordy Nelson from it’s ranks however. Both add up to DeAngelo Yancey’s next step.
DeAngelo Yancey was drafted in the fifth round out of Purdue last offseason. He has a lot of promise, but spent all of last year in the shadows of his teammates. The receiver had three receptions for 67 yards in the first preseason game, but had no more numbers after that. In the regular season, he never saw the field.
I like to look at this as a good thing. Instead of being thrown into the fire, Yancey was given a chance to study and learn for an entire season behind some talented names.
He had Nelson as well as Davante Adams and Randall Cobb. While players like Jeff Janis and Geronimo Allison could teach him a thing-or-two as well. Then of course, there’s quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
With Nelson, as well as some of the mid card receivers, gone Yancey should be expecting a much bigger role this year however. The good news is, the Graham addition alleviates the pressure.
Yancey isn’t going into the season with crazy expectations surrounding him that he needs to fill Nelson’s shoes. Graham is the new shiny weapon that Rodgers can focus on.
Instead, the 23-year old will be able to jump into the offense and find a role that suits him. He won’t be the first or second option, or even the third. This means he can make the occasional plays without being asked to career the too much weight at once.
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Overall, this seems like a perfect role for a young wide receiver who’s still learning. The Green Bay Packers can mold him over time and don’t have to worry about rushing him into a massive role early on. DeAngelo Yancey has a prime opportunity heading his way in 2018, expect to see him take the next step in his career.