It took a pair of minicamp practices for these Packers players' stocks to skyrocket

The pads are not on, the contact and speed of everything is limited. But the offseason program, be it OTAs or mandatory minicamp, is a great opportunity to start understanding how the coaching staff see some players, how they intend to use them, and what are the projections going into training camp next month.

For the Green Bay Packers, it has been a chance to start looking at what the cornerback room will be without Jaire Alexander. The coaching staff also took advantage of an unfortunate situation, Elgton Jenkins holding in with the rehab group and Aaron Banks with a minor injury, to test new offensive line options.

After two weeks of OTAs and two minicamp practices, these players are now in position to make a bigger impact than previously anticipated.

Second-year offensive linemen

Considering the projected starting offensive line, there are three players drafted in the same class (2022): Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom. They will all be free agents next offseason, and outside of Tom, it's not so obvious that the Packers will be able to keep them. So, it's time for a new class to step up, and it might be the 2024's.

During minicamp, former first-round pick Jordan Morgan started at left tackle both days — the second one, possibly because Walker was with the rehab group. With Banks out, the left guard with the ones was undrafted Donovan Jennings, who spent his rookie season on the practice squad.

The third piece center Jacob Monk, who's been the primary center since OTAs with Jenkins out. Last year, the fifth-rounder was behind Kadeem Telfort and Travis Glover on game days and rotations, but it feels like the staff trusts him much more now.

This period is especially difficult to evaluate offensive linemen, so it's advisable to pump the brakes to some degree. But based on what it has been possible to see, the Packers will have better returns from these pieces in Year 2.

Bo Melton

Melton will have a tough time making the 53-man roster, just because the competition at the wide receiver position is so intense. However, the semi-transition to cornerback helps him in some regards. A useful depth receiver, Melton becomes much more valuable to the team if he can play all three phases, and he's already an impactful special teamer as well.

"He's a real talented player, and he's produced," head coach Matt LaFleur said. "I just love everything about the guy, how he shows up every day, ready to compete and give his best effort. You can always expect a lot of great things whatever he is doing. I just thought that if there is somebody that can potentially do both, he would be that guy. A lot of it is just from his production on teams, just his ability to go out there and make plays on teams. You don't have many wideouts in this league as effective as he is on teams."

When the front office and coaching staff are making final decisions, flexibility and overall impact are major components for bottom spots. And Melton's willingness to do whatever is needed can be the deciding factor.