Will Sheppard has done enough in the preseason to keep his name in the conversation for Green Bay’s roster, but the Packers may still have a hard time finding him a place on the 53-man squad.
The receiver has been productive through two preseason games, catching seven passes on seven targets. His best showing came against the Denver Broncos, when he hauled in six receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown grab that stood out.
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Even with that kind of performance, there’s a major hurdle working against him: special teams. According to Pro Football Focus, Sheppard has played just five special teams snaps across the Packers’ two preseason games.
That matters because the bottom-of-the-depth-chart receivers usually aren’t getting enough offensive work to survive on catches alone. They have to bring value in the kicking game, too.
In that area, Isaiah Neyor has logged 13 special teams snaps and J. Michael Sturdivant has played 15, which may give both of them an edge.
Bo Melton is the clearest example of why that role matters in Green Bay. Special teams coordinator Cam Achord praised Melton and specifically mentioned him while talking about the players who have taken gunner reps in Titletown this offseason. Last season, Melton played the Packers’ seventh-most snaps on special teams.
That’s part of the larger roster question hanging over Green Bay: whether the team should carry seven wide receivers. On paper, it makes sense. The Packers are loaded at the position, and the front office may not want to risk losing Sheppard, Sturdivant, or Neyor on waivers.
But teams almost never keep seven receivers on the initial 53-man roster. Green Bay has done it only four times since 2016.
The New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars each did it in 2023 and 2024, respectively, but both teams had to give up a spot elsewhere to do it. The Packers would face the same tradeoff.
That’s why the question isn’t just whether Sheppard has looked good enough. It’s whether Green Bay can justify spending another roster spot on a receiver who might not see much playing time anyway. Even if all three of the fringe receivers made the team, they could wind up inactive at times during the season.
If Sheppard, Neyor, and Sturdivant all miss the cut, the Packers would still have a chance to keep at least one of them around on the practice squad. One or two could be claimed on waivers, but probably not all three.
Losing Sheppard to another team would sting, but the Packers are deep enough at receiver to take that chance. And if he clears waivers, Green Bay could bring him back without using a roster spot.
For all his preseason success, the missing special teams work may end up being the thing that keeps him off the 53.
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