Packers Roster Bubble: The Surprise Star

Emanuel Wilson’s stay with the Denver Broncos lasted just a few days. The running back is hoping to make a career with the Green Bay Packers.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Denver Broncos signed running back Emanuel Wilson as an undrafted free agent on May 12. On May 15, following the team’s rookie minicamp, he was released.

“I ain’t never doubt myself,” the surprise standout of Green Bay Packers training camp said after Thursday’s final practice. “It’s probably that place wasn’t a fit for me. I feel like I’m home here.”

Oh, Wilson has felt at home in Green Bay. Entering the final week of preseason games, Wilson led the NFL in 174 rushing yards, missed tackles (seven, according to Pro Football Focus) and had the longest run (80-yard touchdown vs. Cincinnati). In fact, heading into Saturday’s preseason finale against the Seahawks, Wilson is tied for the NFL lead in rushing yards; nobody with two games has rushed for even 125.

“I’m proud of myself,” Wilson said. “I overcame a lot. Right now, it feels good but it really don’t mean anything right now. I’m just trying to make sure I improve in different areas on the team and actually make the 53-man roster.”

Wilson was a Division II All-American at Fort Valley State. At 5-foot-10 1/2 and 226 pounds, he looks the part. The 4.57 in the 40 isn’t anything special, though you hardly would have known he had such mundane stopwatch speed when he ran away from the Bengals’ defense.

While Wilson went undrafted and barely had time to unpack his suitcase in Denver, his confidence wasn’t ruined.

“There’s a lot of people that are probably like that,” he said. “But I’m a high believer in faith, so anything I go through, I know God has something greater for me.”

Emanuel Wilson (Photo by Katie Stratman/USA Today Sports Images)

The Packers signed him a few days later. He had done little to distinguish himself in a running back room topped by Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon until coach Matt LaFleur capped a practice just before Family Night with a young-guys period featuring live tackling. On his first carry, Wilson ran through three tackles.

That was just confirmation of something Wilson believed was going to happen dating to his years at North Meck High School in Charlotte. That’s when Wilson was sure he’d make it to the NFL.

“A lot of people kept saying I had the talent and everything to make it to the league,” he said. “Sometimes I didn’t believe it, but once it got closer and closer, shoot, I’m here now.”

Wilson is here, and he’s got one more chance to show he should stay here. If the Packers keep a third running back behind Jones and Dillon on their opening 53-man roster – they didn’t last year – Wilson will have to nudge aside veteran Patrick Taylor and injured Tyler Goodson.

Taylor personifies what the Packers are looking for in a third back. He’s a solid runner, yes, but he can catch, pass protect and be a key player on special teams. Wilson said he was “not proud” of his play in pass protection but that he’d stepped up his game on special teams. While calling him a “good young player,” coach Matt LaFleur said Wilson needed to improve his stamina.

Wilson wasn’t sure what he was going to do on Friday, let alone how he’d spend Tuesday while waiting to learn his fate on the roster.

“That’s all in God’s hands,” he said. “I can’t do anything about it.”

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