The Denver Broncos are set to host the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of NFL preseason tonight. Ahead of Sunday’s showdown, we asked Zach Kruse of Packers Wire five questions about the Packers and the matchup. View our questions and Zach’s answers below.
1. Should we expect to see Packers starters play against the Broncos?
I wouldn’t expect to see many starters. Matt LaFleur said the Packers will use the joint practice in Denver on Friday to give live reps to the starters in a controlled environment and then use Sunday’s preseason game as an extended look at the rest of the roster.
2. The Broncos cut Emanuel Wilson last spring after Jaleel McLaughlin impressed at rookie minicamp. How has Wilson looked for Green Bay and what kind of role will he have in 2024?
He was awesome last summer on his way to leading the NFL in preseason rushing yards, and he was impressive again in the preseason opener last weekend. He’s big and fast, and he’s starting to figure out some of the smaller but important details of playing the position. If he can continue improving as a pass blocker and receiver, he could be in contention to handle No. 2 snaps behind Josh Jacobs. Expect to see a bunch of Wilson on Sunday night. He’s competing with A.J. Dillon and rookie MarShawn Lloyd.
3. Who is an intriguing player on the Packers’ roster bubble that we should keep an eye on this week?
Receiver Grant DuBose (No. 86) is coming off a standout preseason opener in Cleveland and is making a strong case to be the No. 5 or No. 6 receiver on the roster. At cornerback, keep an eye on rookie Kalen King, No. 34. He’s been around the ball a lot this summer. The Packers are deep at cornerback but the seventh-round pick could keep building his case for a roster spot with another strong performance in Denver.
4. If you could steal one player from Denver and gift him to Green Bay, who would you pick and why?
Either Pat Surtain II or Quinn Meinerz. Surtain and Jaire Alexander would be a dynamite cornerback combo. Meinerz, who played at in-state UW-Whitewater, would immediately fill the hole at right guard. Either one would be a big help to the 2024 Packers. Surtain is the better player, but I might lean towards Meinerz. Building the best offensive line possible is important with a $220 million investment under center.
5. Looking way, way too far into the future, the Broncos will travel to play the Packers in 2027. As a neutral pundit, what’s your prediction for the kind of player Bo Nix will be a few years down the road?
That’s a tough one. The Packers weren’t looking at one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class so my work on Nix was minimal. Opinions seemed mixed on his long-term potential. I will say, Nix played a ton of games at the college level and is landing with a coach who is well-respected on the offensive side. Sean Payton obviously saw a quarterback who can get the ball out of his hands on time, make plays with his feet and protect the ball. The NFL needs more quality quarterback play across the board so I’m rooting for Nix to make it.
Sunday’s game between the Broncos and Packers will be nationally televised on NFL Network.
