Packers stock watch after preseason opener: Jordan Morgan fighting to start at left tackle

USA Today

a day ago

While the Green Bay Packers' overall display against the New York Jets in Week 1 of the preseason, culminating in a 30-10 loss, did not inspire much confidence, there was still plenty to pick out in terms of individual performances.
Here is who helped or hurt their stock in Green Bay's preseason opener:
Stock up
With Rasheed Walker nursing a groin injury of late, former first-round pick Jordan Morgan has had plenty of opportunities to show his worth at his natural position of left tackle, after previously spending time at guard both during his rookie year and in training camp this summer.
There have been some tough moments, particularly on Family Night, but Morgan looks more settled after some time back out on the edge and was one of the biggest bright spots for the Packers on Saturday night.
Morgan looked smooth and confident, especially in terms of his footwork, while also holding up physically, which is more the question for an offensive lineman of his profile.
He was stout and rarely gave up ground in pass pro, not allowing a single pressure on 23 pass protection snaps. Morgan has a chance to make the decision over the starting left tackle a difficult one if he keeps up his progress.
Ty'Ron Hopper was something of a forgotten man entering training camp, as the 2024 third round pick barely saw the field as a rookie, giving more credence to the doubts over his credibility as a day two pick.
After playing just 18 snaps from scrimmage last season, Hopper looks to have taken a significant step forward entering year two, and showed it on Saturday night.
Hopper was active in the preseason opener, making five solo tackles and a further four assists, without missing a tackle attempt. His thumping, downhill style is noticeable, and it is becoming clearer to see what the Packers saw in him.
Kingsley Enagbare has a fight on his hands to make the roster, with a host of younger options looking to take his spot and flashing their potential, including Barryn Sorrell, who was a regular threat to get to the quarterback on Saturday.
Enagbare showed why he still has a good chance to make the team though, with a pair of pressures as well as four solo tackles in the run game. His solid all around game still has value and could mean he not only makes the team again, but has a real role on defense in 2025.
Israel Abanikanda did not do much with his six rushing attempts (although the blocking did not provide him with much of a runway) but he also got plenty of work as a returner, fielding five kicks and doing a solid job. He had a 36-yard return for his longest of the night, and when the Packers took to the practice field on Monday, he was first in line for the kick return drills.
It could be difficult to make the team at running back this year, but if Abanikanda, who already has some level of draft pedigree, can put himself firmly in the mix to be Green Bay's kick returner, it would help his case exponentially.
Stock down
It was not all good for the Packers in the return game though, with veteran receiver Mecole Hardman making a questionable decision to catch a punt inside the five yard line, before muffing a punt which was bouncing towards him later on.
It may be that he decided he was fielding every punt to try to show his return skills, and would not have made the same decisions in a regular season game, but the results were still there for all to see.
Hardman also dropped a pass when playing wide receiver, and did his chances of making the team no favors, although he still has a strong chance as an experienced presence in the room who can serve as a backup to Jayden Reed (who is dealing with a foot injury) in the slot.
Jacob Monk played mostly at right guard on Saturday, rather than his natural position of center, and did not look like he was enjoying his night. He allowed several holding penalties and a sack while generally looking uncomfortable out there.
Green Bay's persistence with playing him at guard and cross training Sean Rhyan at center, rather than just letting Monk hold that position, would not appear to bode well for their confidence in him to be Elgton Jenkins' backup once the regular season arrives.
Isaiah Simmons has all the physical tools a team could want at linebacker, but the instincts were lacking on Saturday night, as he looked lost at times. It was a timely reminder that he still has a long way to go to be a real contributor on defense for the Packers.
Head coach Matt LaFleur admitted Malik Willis was put in some difficult positions at quarterback against the Jets, but it was not his best performance, and that follows a bit of a trend of subpar play which has been in place since before Family Night.
Willis has already shown he is a valuable backup, but he does not appear to have taken another step in 2025, at least not yet.