The Denver Broncos blew out the Green Bay Packers, 27-2, on Sunday night in a game fans should mostly erase from their memories.
However, there were positive nuggets for players fighting for a roster spot. Matt LaFleur was initially unimpressed with the team’s overall grit and efforts in their time with Denver. Still, a few players managed to separate themselves from the pack.
On a day when the rest of the team looked to be in slow motion, linebacker Kristian Welch played with his hair on fire.
Building on a solid training camp and a good showing against the Cleveland Browns in the first preseason game, Welch was one of Green Bay’s best defenders on Sunday. With his experience as a core special teamer and the Packers’ lack of proven depth at linebacker, the Iola native could push for the final roster.
Welch joined the Packers in late August last year after the Baltimore Ravens released him after three seasons in Maryland. Despite playing minimal snaps on defense in his NFL career, he quickly became one of Green Bay’s better special teamers once he joined the active roster in late September.
Welch played the fourth-most special teams snaps (237) for the Packers and had the third-most ST tackles (7) and the sixth-best overall special teams grade. On a unit that largely underperformed, Welch was a pleasant surprise.
Rich Bisaccia made solid use of his linebackers on special teams last season and needs all the help he can get. Still, that alone doesn’t guarantee a roster spot.
Thankfully for Welch, his strong offseason and Green Bay’s shift to a 4-3 defense work in his favor.
Welch has been the takeaway machine for the Packers in the preseason, recovering a fumble against the Browns and an interception against Denver after defensive lineman James Ester tipped Jarrett Stidham‘s pass. Welch’s interception was one of the few highlight plays on Sunday night.
But that wasn’t all he accomplished. Welch also had three stops versus the run and allowed just one catch in coverage. He’s been an excellent run-stopper and tackler, two things Green Bay’s defense needs.
For his efforts, he was the second-highest graded defender for both PFF, with a 75.1, and Andy Herman, with a +0.40.
“I’ve just been trying to take full advantage of every play that I get,” Welch said regarding his approach. “Just gotta try to make the ones that come to you and not try to do too much and do your job on every single play. That’s kind of been my mindset. Just try to make the ones that come to you.”
If Welch can continue to show he can be a reliable defender when needed, his path to a roster spot will be much easier.
Like the safety room, the Packers also remade their insider linebacker group by releasing De’Vondre Campbell and drafting Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ronn Hopper. But the linebacker group has more questions without a proven star like Xavier McKinney in that group, a reliance on rookie contributors, and a need for more depth than in previous seasons.
Quay Walker is the star of the group but still has a lot to prove as he enters Year 3. Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson, another core special teamer, are the presumptive starters alongside him.
Edgerrin Cooper has the potential to be a star and was poised to see significant snaps as a rookie. Still, he’s just returning to individual drills after dropping out of practice with a hip injury on July 31. He missed some valuable practice and preseason time. Ty’Ron Hopper also missed valuable practice time, thanks to his injuries. However, he returned last week and was another bright spot against Denver. Still, the third-rounder has areas to improve before taking a bigger role.
In previous seasons, the Packers probably would have kept those five inside linebackers. But under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, the Packers switched to a 4-3 front, which means they need more bodies on the field and more bodies in reserve.
“We’ll probably have to carry a couple more linebackers into training camp and maybe one or two more through the 53- and 69-man roster as we go through,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said earlier this summer.
That’s good news for Welch, whose special teams experience could help justify keeping a sixth ILB. With Wilson and McDuffie entering the season as starters, they’ll likely have smaller special teams roles, opening more doors for Welch.
If the Packers keep six inside backers, it’s hard not to see Welch as the sixth. His making the roster will ultimately depend on how Green Bay feels about other positions rather than any direct competition from other linebackers.
One more wide receiver or offensive lineman than usual could keep the treasury empty, forcing Green Bay to keep only five ILBs. In that case, the rookies would have the edge over Welch.
But keeping Welch makes sense with Green Bay’s lack of proven experience at linebacker and its need to have some talent on special teams. Welch might make it through the final cuts if he has another eye-popping game against the Baltimore Ravens.
