Lucas Patrick has come a long way since joining the Packers as a tryout player in 2016. Though his journey to the active roster may pale in comparison to Justin McCray’s, Patrick has taken the long way to NFL success.

It’s all the more impressive considering how much of his career so far has involved playing literally one-handed.

2017 Stats

• Appeared in 12 games with two starts (227 snaps on offense, 1 snap on defense, 51 snaps on special teams)

Expectations going into the season: Low
Expectations were: Exceeded

Analysis: Patrick answers the call when needed

Though his triumph over long odds to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent is commendable, that’s not the only reason Patrick’s 2017 season was a success.

The second (and perhaps greater) reason is even more essential: Patrick did whatever the Packers needed him to do.

Start at left guard next to a guy who’s never played left tackle before on a short week? Done.

Fill in for a six-time Pro Bowler at right guard while wearing a club on your hand? No problem.

Play a single snap on defense against the Baltimore Ravens? Kind of weird, but sure.

In filling in wherever he was needed, Patrick embodied the Platonic ideal of the hard hat and lunch pail player that sportswriters love to describe as “gritty” and “high effort.” Cliches though they may be, they’re rooted in truth, and Patrick lived that truth for the Packers in an important way in 2017.