The Green Bay Packers left Denver on Friday night with a 33-13 win over the Broncos in the second week of the 2026 preseason. Three different quarterbacks led touchdown drives, while rookie kicker Trey Smack hit all seven of his kicks, accounting for 15 of the team’s 33 points. More importantly, a bunch of players competing for roster spots impressed against the Broncos.
So, who improved their chances of making the Packers’ roster in Denver? A stock watch coming out of Friday night’s win:
CB Kamal Hadden
Say hello to your new backup slot defender behind Javon Bullard. Hadden, who played in his first game since suffering a gruesome ankle injury in late December of last year, made five tackles, including three notable open-field stops and two tackles for loss. Defending the run from the slot is a priority, and Hadden had one play where he diagnosed the run, shot the gap and made the play in the backfield. There were no obvious lapses in coverage, either. Hadden’s stock is way up after a terrific week overall.
RB Pierre Strong Jr.
The top three running backs all look like roster locks, but it’s possible Strong has made a compelling enough case for the Packers to keep four at the position. On Friday night, Strong turned eight rushes into a team-high 37 rushing yards while creating a 12-yard run and forcing several missed tackles. He also produced a highlight special teams play on a nifty kickoff return gaining 68 yards. Strong looks like a natural runner, with wiggle, burst and vision. While more likely a priority practice squad player at this point, Strong greatly improved his stock in Denver with an impressive all-around performance.
QB Kyle McCord
Is there any competition for QB2? McCord played well again on Friday night, while Tyrod Taylor has only been so-so as the true backup behind Jordan Love. McCord completed 12 of 19 passes and led the Packers to 13 points over four drives, including another two-minute drive resulting in points before the half. His completion percentage would have been higher had the Packers backups not dropped a pass or two. Cutting capable quarterbacks is always tough, and McCord is looking more and more capable as the preseason continues on.
S Mark Perry
While not a given, the Packers typically keep five safeties on the 53-man roster, and Perry is making a real run at securing the final spot. He created the defense’s highlight play on Friday night when he read a throw up the seam and picked off Jarrett Stidham late in the first half, helping set up a field goal. Perry has strung together a pair of solid performances to start the preseason. Is it enough to win a roster spot?
DL Anthony Campbell
The big man is in a deep position battle, but he keeps making standout plays. Campbell produced a sack and several other pressures while playing solid run defense inside on Friday night against the Broncos backups. Get this: According to PFF, Campbell produced only three total pressures during his final two collegiate seasons at Miami. He almost certainly produced at least three pressures in Denver on Friday night. He’s not only a good story but an ascending young player.
DL Jonathan Ford
He was a starter along the defensive line, and while he produced a few dominant run defense reps in Pittsburgh, Ford’s best plays in Denver were rushing the passer. He had a pressure on the Broncos’ opening series and finished with at least three individual pressures. No one played more true nose tackle snaps in Denver than Ford, who looks like a preferred option there while Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave are out.
LS Cal Adomitis
Matt Orzech remains on the PUP list with a calf injury, and rookie kicker Trey Smack is in a groove through two preseason games. Are the Packers really interested in making a switch at long snapper and messing with the kicking operation at this point? Adomitis is a veteran who has snapped in regular season games, so this isn’t a gamble on a young player. When push comes to shove, the Packers might have to go with the guy who has been snapping most of training camp. We’ll see.
WR Will Sheppard had a nice night in Denver, catching six passes, including a highlight touchdown, but he’s buried at a deep position. It’s going to be hard to crack the top 7-8 at receiver, but Sheppard remains an excellent practice squad option.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers stock watch: Who improved roster chances vs. Broncos?
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
