Paul Bretl | 7/31/2024
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Not to be forgotten about in the crowded and talented Packers’ wide receiver room is second-year wide out Grant DuBose, who has built upon a strong showing during offseason programs with a fast start to training camp.
“Grant, I mean, he’s been playing really well,” said Jordan Love on Wednesday. “Grant missed a lot of time last year in camp and didn’t really have his shot, so it’s really cool to be able to see him go out there and ball. But he’s, you saw the one today, he’s making some plays. Contested catches, he’s coming down with, and he’s playing really fast right now. he’s got a great feel for the offense and it’s just good to be able to see him out there. we’ve got a really deep receiver room right now and I love to see the competition. Guys are rising and making plays. So I’m excited to see what he can keep doing as we get into preseason and going forward.”
Coming out of the offseason, DuBose looked much more refined on the football field as many second year players are, with the added experience they’ve gained and the comfortability that comes with being in the same system for a full year. Working with both the second and third team offenses during OTAs and minicamp, DuBose quickly became a favorite target of Sean Clifford’s and Michael Pratt’s.
Now through eight training camp practices, DuBose has carried that momentum from the spring to the summer. Especially as of late over the last few practices, DuBose has seemingly made a catch or two each day during the team portion. On Wednesday, he saw a few snaps with the starting offense and also made the play of the day.
During 11-on-11 and working with the second-team offense, the defense jumped offsides giving Sean Clifford and the offense a free play. DuBose immediately went downfield and on a well-placed ball by Clifford between safeties Evan Williams and Zayne Anderson, DuBose rose above them to come down with the catch.
“It means a lot,” said DuBose about the catch. “We had a free play. You always want to take a shot when you can. They threw it up, gave me a chance. Just gotta come down with it. Trying to make a play for the team, be able to put us in position to win. That’s the mentality.”
DuBose was a seventh-round pick by the Packers in 2023 and this offseason compared to last has been drastically different for him because this year he’s been fully healthy. A back injury kept DuBose sidelined throughout offseason programs and until the Packers’ second preseason game, which left him playing catch-up.
While what takes place in the meeting rooms is certainly important, equally if not more important is being able to apply that information on the practice field. DuBose did not have that element for much of the offseason and when he returned, there just weren’t enough opportunities remaining to make up for all that lost time.
“I’m way ahead,” said DuBose about this offseason compared to last. “Last year this time around, I was sidelined still. I didn’t come back until the second preseason game. You know I’ve taken a big leap from last year. I’m feeling a lot stronger. I’m feeling faster. You know, just healthier overall. So I’m in a good spot.”
DuBose would spend all of his rookie season on the practice squad. Of course, he wanted to be on the 53-man roster, but the practice squad provided him with a tremendous development opportunity as he gained more comfort within the offense and was able to practice each day against Jaire Alexander and the rest of the Packers’ starting secondary.
“I mean, you know, still being in the offense, you able to learn right along with the guys on the 53,” said DuBose about his rookie year. “So, you know, I’m still in the classroom with the guys. So, you know, I am still learning in a way, and just being out there and playing with the one defense. Those reps matter and they count. I’m also getting better. I’m playing alongside, you know, Ja and those guys out there. Our first team secondary. So I think that allowed me, you know, to take the next step, you know, heading on into this season too, as well.”
Along with Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks, DuBose spent the offseason in south Florida with his fellow receivers, preparing for the upcoming season and focusing on the nuances of route running, his releases at the line of scrimmage, pad level, and lateral quickness. In addition to being healthy and more comfortable within the offense, DuBose’s offseason training with Wicks and Reed has been a catalyst towards the play we are seeing now.
“It was good,” said DuBose of the offseason. “Being able to go down with those guys and just be able to work and progress together. Kind of just, we work out at the same place. You know, just being there alone with those guys. Making each other better. I think that all translate when we all get together out here, and it’s going to show on Sundays. It was a good offseason being able to work and progress with those guys.”
In a very full wide receiver room, every rep matters for DuBose as he makes a push for a roster spot. Beyond what he does when the ball is thrown his way, the ability to block in the run game and contribute on special teams will be other important factors in building out the back-end of the receiver depth chart.
After laying a strong foundation through the first week-plus of training camp practices, the next step for DuBose is to continue showcasing his day-to-day consistency and getting incrementally better each day.
“I think it brings out the best in all of us,” said DuBose of the competition at receiver. “That room, we compete at a high level. I think that we appreciate each other’s work, which allows us to be able to compete at a high level but also play for each other. I enjoy it. It makes us all better. I guess it’s just may the best man win. All the reps count. You just gotta take advantage of all the ones that you get. Come down to decision-making time, hopefully it’s in your favor. That’s the mentality.”