Four Packers Who Can Jump Out

"I want somebody to jump out," said Mike McCarthy in his news conference Thursday. "To do what they're supposed to do where they're saying 'I deserve more opportunities."

That, in a nutshell, is exactly what preseason football is all about. Sure, there's guys who have their spots completely sewn up, but for everybody else, this is time to get noticed, hopefully for good reasons. Here are four guys I think have a good shot at being the first to jump out this week.

1. Kevin Dorsey

The second year wide receiver has been all over the field in practice, and with Jared Abbrederis to miss the year with his knee injury, a spot may have just opened up on the bottom of the Packers' wide receiver depth chart. Dorsey is bigger than Myles White, more consistent than Chris Harper, and could get a leg up on both those two and the rest of the less-established receivers with a good performance in the first preseason game.

2. Sean Richardson

A year removed from starting the season on the PUP list, Richardson has been the toast of camp, flashing around the ball and picking off passes. His physical traits are still jaw-dropping, and it'll be interesting to see what he can do in an actual game setting. A solid performance could sew up a roster spot for the big safety.

3. Mike Pennel

Paul Imig of Fox Sports has the mountainous Mike Pennel making the Packers roster as their sixth defensive lineman in his first roster projection, and it's easy to guess why: he's freaking enormous. That's why I used the word "mountainous" to describe him. But seriously, he's 6-4 and 332 pounds, which makes him the second heaviest lineman behind B.J. Raji. With fellow behemoths Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly out to pasture, Pennel could have the opportunity to bring some bulk to the line if he can show some movement up front. He'll get his first opportunity tonight.

4. Derek Sherrod

It's now or never four Sherrod, who should have every possible opportunity to show what he can do with Don Barclay done for the year. Sherrod has the opportunity to be the Packers' top backup at both tackle spots, but he has to show at least a reasonable approximation of the skill that made him a first round pick. Just something. Please. Anything, really.