Leading up to the announcement of the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster, undrafted free agent running back Emanuel Wilson’s plan was to write in his journal to calm his mind, walk down to a river by the hotel where he was staying, and pray and reflect while he awaited news if he made the Packers’ roster. And he did.
The initial 53-man roster included three undrafted rookies, with Wilson alongside wide receiver Malik Heath and linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. It cues up the Packers to continue their streak of 19 consecutive years in which an undrafted rookie makes the Week 1 roster. Heath, Cox, and Wilson showed out in the preseason and are deserving of roster spots. However, Wilson may be the most surprising of the three, not to mention the best story.
Packers fans initially fell in love with Wilson after his standout night in the Cincinnati Bengals preseason game where he had 111 yards on six carries, including an 80-yard touchdown. The performance was even more remarkable because it marked the 14-year anniversary of the death of Wilson’s father.
The initial performance elevated Wilson to the public consciousness, and everyone loves to root for an underdog. Wilson is just that, an underdog. He’s a Division-II product from Fort Valley State University who initially signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos and was released three days later. He then signed with the Packers and faced a crowded running back room that featured Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon as the clear roster locks while Tyler Goodson, Patrick Taylor, and Lew Nichols III were all seemingly ahead of him in the competition for a potential third running back slot. That’s a spot that is certainly not guaranteed. Last year, the Packers opted to carry only two running backs on their initial 53-man roster and called up Patrick Taylor from the practice squad throughout the year.
Plenty of players have had cult-hero performances in preseason and then fizzled out, but Wilson continued to grow. After his his first big game, Matt LaFleur pumped the breaks following the second preseason game against the New England Patriots when he was asked about Wilson’s performance in pass blocking and special teams.
“There’s room to go,” LaFleur said, “he’s also got to get his conditioning in a better spot as well in order to sustain.”
It’s a common coaching point with running backs, especially backups, that they need to be effective in protecting the quarterback and playing on special teams to make the roster because the most likely case is that, after preseason, that will be their primary role behind the starter. Wilson then got a chance to show a bit more of his growth in these areas in Green Bay’s third preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, where he sustained a quality 1-1 block against a linebacker in pass protection. While it was only one snap, it was an important one for Wilson to put on tape.
Beyond his play, Wilson makes more sense for the Packers’ current roster than the likes of Patrick Taylor. With Aaron Jones a likely cap casualty next year with a $17 million cap hit and A.J. Dillon in the final year of his rookie contract, the Packers could be without a clear starter at running back. While I won’t argue Wilson is that guy, his explosive runs in the preseason were better than what Tyler Goodson, Patrick Taylor, and Lew Nichols III had put on tap to that point. At bare minimum, Wilson provides a more enticing developmental project that could pay bigger dividends down the road.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst summarized Wilson’s camp well during his presser after setting the 53-man roster:
He did some things as a runner that we saw in college, but you never know how quickly guys are going to show that in the NFL. He took advantage of his opportunities. He was significantly, early on, far away on special teams and the nuances of playing running back but he really progressed through the last few weeks. He showed some special things in his opportunities. Again, he’s a 225 lb. back. I really like that room, and he certainly earned it.
Ultimately, Wilson showed the Packers the most upside of those competing for the third running back spot and highlighted his ability to take coaching and grow. Now it’s his job to stay prepared and keep getting better. LaFleur said as much after Wilson made the team, noting that “he’s got a long way to go in terms of adding value on teams and in pass-pro. Just making sure that the trust is there and that he’ll be able to pick up all the exotic pressures that you may see throughout the course of the season.”
Wilson has earned his spot, but he must continue to earn the right to stay in the NFL. He’s shown he can rise to that level of play, now he just has to show that he can do it consistently.
