Bo Melton will be taking reps at CB and will wear #16 at Packers 2025 Training Camp. With all the hype around the Packers 2025 wide receiver competition, HC Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst hope Melton will see more opportunity to contribute to the squad.
The switch from WR to CB isn’t unheard of, in fact Richard Sherman is a prime example of making the switch and finding success. The Packers top brass is hoping Bo will find the same success within Hafley’s defensive schemes.
Bo Melton’s DB Experience
Bo Melton will be taking things back to his high school days this season both in number and position.
While Bo Melton has solely played WR during his NFL career, he actually did play DB in high school where he also sported the #16 for the Cedar Creek Pirates. He would go on to become a local legend at WR for the Pirates, earning local praise via The Courier as Offensive Player of the Year.
Melton also played a bit of DB as well in his Freshman Year at Rutgers before making the transition full time to WR which has held up until this year.
Bo may be a wide receiver on paper, but Bo certainly knows defense too.
Bo Melton Always A DB Prospect
The Green Bay Packers picked up Melton off the Seahawks practice squad back in 2022. Gutey said that even then they had it in the back of their minds that Bo may be a great prospect at Cornerback.
Melton has been a workhorse for the Packers over the last couple of seasons contributing on Offense and Special Teams. He had the chance to break through the crowd over the last couple of seasons competing against rookies like Christian Watson, Rome Doubs, and others. While his speed and football IQ have been on display, he never made that jump ahead of the pack.
The Switch Begins
Coming into this offseason here’s what Bo had to say after the release of Jaire Alexander, which prompted his start on the current path.
It’s pretty clear that while the opportunity seemed to be fun, Bo was still set on competing for a WR spot on the roster. His tenure at WR however, should give him a leg up in a young DB room in need of leadership alongside of newly acquired talent in Nate Hobbs.
Here’s Matt LaFleur talking about why they are looking to see how he stacks up at DB back a month ago:
Here’s what Melton had to say this week after his first practice on defense:
“Felt great, I just feel real instinctive. I know what’s coming, I know the plays. It’s just like when I’m moving around there I feel like I can jump (routes), I feel smart back there, feel like I know what’s coming. It’s a complex playbook, but playing the cornerback position, the movements, being instinctive, knowing how to break on a dime, that’s kinda the harder movements.
But I feel like I’m nailing them down. I’ve still got to work on a ton of stuff, but that’s the part I feel like I can hang my hat on.“
Fellow Packer WR Jayden Reed was also a 2 way player in high school splitting time between WR and DB. He had this to say about his now former WR counterpart:
“It’s the league, it’s a lot different (than high school). “You’re playing against different talent, bigger playbook. I couldn’t imagine. All they asked me to do was just line up and guard the guy in front of me. So definitely very difficult, I commend him. But he’s a smart player so he’s able to do it.”
Bo Melton’s Future With Green Bay
While I certainly hope that Bo has more success than Alex McGough who transitioned from QB to WR last year, I can’t help but feel like this may be Bo’s exit from the team.
I certainly understand and applaud LaFleur and Gutey for recognizing that with the addition of Matthew Golden and Savion WIlliams along with the returning squad, it’s unlikely Bo would see the field at receiver.
He now will come into a room led by former Raider CB, Nate Hobbs. With the exit of Jaire Alexander, this room will certainly be one to watch as Training Camp unfolds. I have been very vocal that I don’t have the same confidence that others do in Keisean Nixon leaving the other open spots up for grabs between Bo, Corey Ballentine, and Carrington Valentine.
There’s also the matter of returning rookie Kalen King, as well as rookie Micah Robinson who I’m excited to see compete when he returns from his injury.
Bo’s future is on his shoulders, and it’s a question of whether or not he can make the jump at DB that the squad didn’t see at WR.
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