Green Bay Packers: 5 Players with something to prove vs. Raiders

4. Reggie Gilbert, OLB

After signing Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith this offseason and then using a first-round pick on Rashan Gary, the Packers are suddenly deep in terms of their outside linebacker group. Furthermore, 2016 third-rounder Kyler Fackrell seems like a lock to also end up the roster. But Reggie Gilbert still can make the roster if he can make himself undeniable for Green Bay.

More from NFL Spin Zone

• Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
• Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
• Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
• Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
• Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens

Gilbert has been active in the pass rush for the Packers over the first two games of the preseason. He’s notched four total tackles and, more importantly, has two sacks to his credit. That has certainly turned heads to this point. But in the dress rehearsal game, if Gilbert can keep up that type of production, he can definitively make the case for Green Bay to keep five outside linebackers on the final roster.

3. DeShone Kizer, QB

At this point, DeShone Kizer seems like a lock to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers. He has more experience than Tim Boyle and more raw talent. On top of that, Boyle just hasn’t done anything in the preseason to this point to push Kizer for the No. 2 quarterback spot. With two weeks left, though, Kizer needs to prove beyond any doubt that he’s the right guy for the job.

In two games, Kizer has gone 13-of-23 for 172 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Playing mistake-free football is good but it would be in the 2017 second-round pick’s best interest to make a splash play or two against the Raiders on Thursday night in Canada.