Packers WR Jeff Janis Taking Reps With Top Offensive Unit
One of everyone’s favorite NFL Draft sleepers in 2014, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jeff Janis is now making strides within the Packers’ offense, and taking some reps with the first team in relief of Jordy Nelson, who is recovering from hip surgery.
We all know in this Packers offense, Janis isn’t going to be a starter unless there’s an injury to one of Nelson, Randall Cobb, and fellow second year player Davante Adams, but with his size and speed there’s no question Janis can hang at the NFL level. Now, it’s all about earning the trust of Aaron Rodgers and the coaches, and from reports out of Packers minicamp, it sounds like he’s doing just that.
“I think the biggest thing with Aaron is he wants us to be mentally on the same page,” Janis said via ESPN’s NFL Nation blog and Packers reporter Rob Demovsky. “He knows physical mistakes are going to happen, like dropped balls and things like that, but mental errors are unacceptable to him. So I think that’s where I’m really trying to take a step.”
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is calling Janis’ reps with Aaron Rodgers ‘quality reps’ and even though there’s still plenty of room for growth and improvement, the former Saginaw Valley State star receiver is making the necessary strides to possibly see a lot more of the field this year despite the Packers’ depth and youth at the receiver position.
In addition to the emergence of Janis, the Packers return Jared Abbrederis, a Wisconsin product who was injured last year. It’ll be exciting to have him back on a football field. They also spent a third round pick on the athletic Ty Montgomery out of Stanford, a player that excels after the catch and with the ball in his hands.
Jordy Nelson is confident in the young former NFL Draft sleeper, who is now fighting for playing time in one of the most talented offenses in the NFL.
“The more you’re out there, the more balls you catch and the more confidence he grows in you. I think that’s the key, just continuing to get those reps. He’s taking advantage of that, and I think it’s big and I think you’ll see a big step come training camp and preseason.”
If Janis keeps making plays and standing out to coaches, he’ll no doubt be on the field this season making plays, not just in the preseason but showing people that he can make Aaron Rodgers a happy man in the regular season when everything counts.