Key Takeaways:
– Kitan Oladapo, the Green Bay Packers’ fifth-round pick, suffered a toe injury at the NFL combine.
– Despite the injury, Oladapo is expected to make a substantial contribution to the Packers’ defense.
– The Packers have a significant influx of new talent in their safety position, turning a potential weakness into strength.
Rookie Kitan Oladapo in Recovery after Combine Injury
The Green Bay Packers chose a variety of new talent during the NFL draft, amounting to an impressive 11 total players. Among these rookies is Kitan Oladapo, a fifth-round selection and former Oregon State safety who suffered a broken toe during the combine. However, Oladapo’s injury, reported by Rob Demovsky of ESPN, doesn’t seem to be a stumbling block for his optimistic outlook during the upcoming training camp.
Despite the occupational hazard, Oladapo continued to participate in position drills at his Pro Day, underwent surgery pre-draft and is now in recovery mode. All teams were informed about Oladapo’s condition, and the rookie firmly believes he’ll be back and ready to give his best at the upcoming training camp.
Oladapo’s Potential Contributions to Packers Defense
Despite his fifth-round status and the Packers’ previous selection of two players for the same position – Javon Bullard from Georgia and Evan Williams from Oregon – Oladapo is considered a promising asset for the team’s defense. According to Alex Ballentine of the Bleacher Report, Oladapo’s height and weight advantage may allow him to fill a linebacker’s role in sub-packages, a prediction that creates several possibilities for Oladapo’s future contributions.
Moreover, the Green Bay Packers recently signed a four-year, $67 million deal with Xavier McKinney, a former second-round pick from the New York Giants, which further amplifies the diverse talent the team has in store for the upcoming season.
From Weakness to Strength: Packers Safety Position
The safety position of the The Green Bay Packers is poised for an overhaul with the addition of players like McKinney, Bullard, Williams, and now, Oladapo. Additionally, their roster boasts the second-year pro Anthony Johnson Jr., who had played 303 snaps last season. Other returning players include Benny Sapp III, Zayne Anderson, and Tyler Coyle.
However, the team saw the departure of notable figures such as Darnell Savage, the former first-round pick who recently joined the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Jonathan Owens, now a member of the Chicago Bears.
Despite these shifts, Green Bay’s General Manager, Brian Gutekunst, remains optimistic. The flexible talent seen in Green Bay’s draft picks opens up a range of possibilities on the field. Gutekunst echoes Ballentine’s sentiments about Oladapo’s potential, giving credence to projections of the draft pick’s versatility in the coming season.
In conclusion, the Packers have undoubtedly brought in a promising group of rookies in the 2024 NFL draft. Despite the hurdles posed by injuries, the likes of Kitan Oladapo seem ready to hit the field, prove their metal, and uphold the Packers’ legacy.