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These Green Bay Packers Players Helped Themselves the Most in Preseason
Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 2025 NFL preseason is over, and the Green Bay Packers won two of the three games they played. But the more important thing in preseason remains how individual players perform and prove they deserve a spot on the roster. These Green Bay Packers players helped themselves the most in the preseason. This list is by no means exhaustive. Also, being on this list does not guarantee a player a starting job or even a roster spot. But these are five players who exceeded expectations for the Packers this preseason.

These Packers Players Helped Themselves the Most in Preseason, Number Five: CB Kalen King

The Packers selected cornerback Kalen King in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Penn State alum spent the season on the practice squad. He has yet to take a snap in an NFL regular season game.

This year in training camp and in the preseason, King improved his play significantly. He enters roster cutdowns with a real chance of making the team. King’s coverage skills have improved and he’s playing with a lot more confidence.

When Nate Hobbs missed time due to an injury, King got more reps in practice, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. He has played both on the boundary and in the slot. King also recovered a fumble in the final preseason game against the Seahawks. He has gone from a long shot to make the roster to a player who may make the team.

Number Four: CB Bo Melton

Bo Melton spent the last two seasons on the Packers roster as a wide receiver. During that time, he caught 24 passes as the team’s fifth or sixth wideout. Over the offseason, Melton was switched to cornerback since the Packers were very deep at the receiver position.

The transition from receiver to cornerback is not an easy one, but Melton has done well. Despite competing against competition that has been playing the position for years, Melton has looked the part.

While he still has a lot to learn, his natural ability, hard work, and determination have gotten him to the point where he’s good enough for the team to retain. He can also contribute on special teams and if needed, can still play a few reps at receiver.

These Packers Players Helped Themselves the Most in Preseason, Number Three: LB Ty’Ron Hopper

Ty’Ron Hopper barely saw the field as a rookie despite being selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played a grand total of 18 snaps on defense while appearing in all 17 games for the Packers. The rest of his action came on special teams.

Hopper’s speed and athleticism are what made the Packers interested in Hopper but as a rookie, he seemed slow to react and was not comfortable in the defense. There was even some speculation that he may not make the team this season after the Packers signed Isaiah Simmons as a free agent.

This year in the preseason and in camp, he’s making tackles and doing a better job of reading plays. Hopper has even worn the green dot on his helmet during preseason games to call the defensive signals.

While Hopper won’t earn a starting job in Week 1, he could carve out a role on defense this year and should continue to earn more opportunities as he improves throughout the season.

Number Two: WR Matthew Golden

The Packers hadn’t selected a wide receiver in the first round since 2002 before Brian Gutekunst chose Matthew Golden in this year’s draft. The Texas alum was added to supply the Packers with a go-to receiver. The question was how quickly he’d be able to fill that role.

Throughout preseason and in training camp, Golden has consistently made plays that turned heads. In the first preseason game, he was targeted twice against Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner of the Jets. Golden caught one pass and drew a pass interference call on the other. He continued to play well in the third preseason game against Seattle.

Golden looks like he’s ready to start in Week 1. If he continues to play well, he could become the team’s number one receiver this year.

These Packers Players Helped Themselves the Most in Preseason, Number One: OL Jordan Morgan

Injuries limited 2024 first-round pick, Jordan Morgan to six games as a rookie last year. Although he played left tackle in college, the Packers shifted him to right guard at the start of training camp to compete with Sean Rhyan for the starting job. He didn’t win it but was rotating in several series per game before his season was cut short.

This season, Morgan again was competing with Rasheed Walker at left tackle and with Rhyan at right guard. He showed improved footwork and technique in the preseason especially in pass protection.

Injuries to starting left guard Aaron Banks may mean Morgan starts the season playing there. He could also play at left tackle or right guard. But this preseason he’s taken a step forward and now looks like someone who could be a quality starter at four different positions along the offensive line.

This article first appeared on The Packers Post and was syndicated with permission.

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