We’re through week 2 of the Packers preseason, and with just one more game left, which Packers have helped themselves? What should fans still be concerned with?

Let’s start with an important disclaimer – the preseason means very little. What happens in joint practices means very little. There was a fair amount of fan concern following this weekend from Packers fans, and it’s important to keep perspective. That being said there are some players and overall trends worth talking about.

The Positives:

I’m not the first person to become enamored with Dontayvion Wicks this Packers preseason, and I won’t be the last. There’s been a lot of discourse on the Packers WRs this offseason, but it’s hard to ignore what Wicks did with the opportunities he was given last year. If recent practice reports are anything to go by, Green Bay might have something special with the former 5th rounder

On the same side of the ball I want to just take a moment and talk about Rasheed Walker. A 7th round pick thrust into action after David Bahktiari was lost for the season. Walker spent the early part of the season much like the rest of the offense – struggling. He averaged around a 55.7 PFF grade through the first 7 weeks.

After that however that average jumped nearly 20 points, around 73 which would have placed him among the top 25 tackles in the league.

What’s been notable about him in the Packers preseason this year is how little we’ve heard his name. The Packers drafted Jordan Morgan 25th overall this year, a career LT in college, and at no point did it ever seem like Walker was going to give up the job. Following the departures of Jon Runyan Jr, and Yosh Nijman, OL depth could be concern this year. Walker maintaining his level of play from last season is going to be key.

The Negatives:

Let me preface this by reminding everyone of this quote from Tom Moore, a QB coach most famous for working with Peyton Manning. When asked why the backup QB’s never took any 1st team snaps:

“If 18 goes down, we’re f—ed. Around here, we don’t practice f—ed.”

I mention this because in the grand scheme of things, the backup QB is not the thing most teams are worried about first and foremost.

That being said Green Bay might have a back up QB problem.

In the game against Denver, the QB’s combined for 16/26 completions for a grand total of 80 yards and an interception. I know I said the game doesn’t matter, but this is also a team that gave up 70 points last season. There’s been talk of Michael Pratt pushing Sean Clifford for the back up spot, but after last night the Packers should at least consider looking at the FA market.

The Kickers:

I don’t even know what to say about the kickers at this point. Barely at 80 percent in mostly optimal conditions does not inspire confidence. Maybe after years of QB stability going hand in hand with kicker stability, the universe wouldn’t tolerate both things continuing.

If I had to guess the team sticks with Carlson because of the draft capital that he cost. Either way the Packers may be going for a few more 4th downs then they’d like this year if these numbers don’t improve.