Highlights from Day 1 of Packers Minicamp

On your Green Bay Packers Minicamp Bingo Card, who had cornerback Jaire Alexander being released and receiver Bo Melton running with the starters in his place?

But that’s how Packers minicamp started, with Alexander’s release on Monday and Melton working double duty on Tuesday.

“Over the last four years, there’s been a lot of games missed,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said during Tuesday’s practice of his decision to release the former All-Pro cornerback. “I just think for what that amount of money is, that’s a lot to pay for a guy who hasn’t been able to get on the field. Again, it’s not his fault. It’s just something that kind of transpired, so we were looking for something different.”

It doesn’t get much more different than Melton playing defense. A seventh-round pick in 2022 – the same draft that produced Packers receivers Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs – Melton got reps on both sides of the ball. With the additions of Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in the draft and Mecole Hardman in free agency, the Packers have a logjam at receiver. They’re kiddie-pool deep at cornerback, though.

So, why not give one of the fastest players on the team a better shot of competing for a roster spot?

“He was one day just talking about how he was better than his brother [Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton], so we said, ‘OK, go prove it.’ I’m just kidding, he didn’t say that,” coach Matt LaFleur said after practice. 

“But his brother’s a pretty good player as well, and we just thought that if there is somebody that can potentially do both, he would be that guy. And I think a lot of it is just from his production on [special] teams and just his ability to make plays on teams.”

During one 11-on-11 period, which was run at less than full speed, the Packers’ secondary consisted of Carrington Valentine and Melton at cornerback and Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams at safety.

During the first snap of a competitive 7-on-7 period, Melton caught a pass from Jordan Love. On the final snap of the period, he was matched in coverage against Golden.

“Bo’s a great dude,” Love said. “He’s a great personality. I feel like in the locker room, he connects with a lot of guys on the team. Then like you talk about on the field, he’s a guy that does the right things. He’s very consistent with what he does, and he’s a team guy. He’s ready to do whatever’s asked of him. I can’t speak highly enough about Bo. He’s a great, energetic person that you like to be around.”

Taking Attendance

This is a mandatory minicamp, which means Elgton Jenkins was present. However, that doesn’t mean the team’s Pro Bowl left guard was taking any snaps at center. In fact, Jenkins spent practice in street clothes.

“He’s helping out and coaching the other guys right now,” LaFleur said. “He’s worked on the side, but we thought it was best to keep him out today.”

The 10 players who did not practice: linebacker Quay Walker, receiver Christian Watson, cornerback Micah Robinson, cornerback Kalen King, safety Zayne Anderson, defensive end Collin Oliver, guard Aaron Banks, offensive lineman John Williams, Jenkins and receiver Julian Hicks.

King, a seventh-round pick last year who figures to be in the mix to be the team’s No. 4 corner, had a cast on his right forearm. He should be ready for training camp, LaFleur said.

“He’s done a nice job,” LaFleur said. “I think he’s much better physically than he was a year ago. I mean, he’s a young man, I think he came into this league and he was 21 years old. So that’s to be expected that there’s going to be some maturity with his body and his mind, for that matter. I think he’s done a great job attacking it the right way so I’m excited to see him when we get back to camp.”

Lineup Notes

- With three-fifths of the starting offensive line out of action, the Packers lined up with Jordan Morgan at left tackle (with Rasheed Walker limited to individual drills), Donovan Jennings at left guard (with Aaron Banks in the rehab group), Jacob Monk at center (with Elgton Jenkins not practicing) and the usual right side of Sean Rhyan at right guard and Zach Tom at right tackle.

“I didn’t even notice it, to be honest with you,” LaFleur said of Jennings, an undrafted rookie last year. “As far as his work habits and showing up and giving great effort, I think he’s done a nice job of that.”

- With Quay Walker not practicing, the No. 1 linebackers were Isaiah McDuffie in the middle, flanked by Edgerrin Cooper and Isaiah Simmons.

- As was the case last season, it’s been a revolving door at safety alongside Xavier McKinney, with Javon Bullard, Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo taking reps with McKinney with the No. 1 defense.

- The No. 1 secondary for the starters vs. starters 2-minute drill consisted of Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs at cornerback, Javon Bullard in the slot and McKinney and Williams at safety.

- Rookie fourth-round pick Barryn Sorrell got some action opposite Kingsley Enagbare with the No. 2 defense. Previously, it had been Brenton Cox and Enagbare.

- Once again, the No. 1 tandem at defensive end was Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness. It was Gary and Cox during the 2-minute drill, though, with Van Ness moving inside.