Wide receiver Juwann Winfree opened some eyes at the three-day minicamp for the Green Bay Packers earlier this month.
Many of the beat writers covering the minicamp noted how impressive Winfree looked during the event.
Rob Demovsky of ESPN highlighted Winfree as the team’s “surprise player” at minicamp. He said Winfree caught “plenty” of passes during the three days and could now make a “strong run at a spot” on the Packers depth chart at wide receiver.
Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated pointed to Winfree as the “most productive receiver” at minicamp, noting he caught a pair of touchdowns during the practices, including one in the two-minute drill.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic included Winfree among the nine players to watch in his minicamp wrapup.
Winfree, 24, was originally a sixth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2019. He played in three games as a rookie but didn’t catch a pass, and the Broncos waived him following training camp in 2020. The Packers signed him to the practice squad in October and he spent the final four months of the season in Green Bay.
A chance to spend the entire offseason with the Packers after gaining confidence in the offense and creating a foundation during the 2020 season could propel a young, talented receiver to a coveted roster spot during training camp.
Winfree’s draft profile at NFL.com describes him as a senior captain at Colorado with athleticism in space and an appetite for blocking in the run game, a fitting description for a receiver trying to find a role in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
A fascinating roster battle is emerging at receiver. Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Amari Rodgers are roster locks, but Winfree will compete with the likes of Devin Funchess, Equanimeous St. Brown, Malik Taylor and Reggie Begelton for one or two spots behind the four. Can a strong performance during the offseason workout program help Winfree create much-needed momentum entering training camp?
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Packers training camp 90-man roster preview: Wide receivers
