Bo Melton, a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers, has emerged as a versatile player who can contribute in multiple positions. In those two seasons, Melton has played in just 22 total games and displayed his talents mostly as a pass catcher. This last few weeks, though, he’s been putting cornerback on his resume during practice. This one-of-a-kind development has caught the imagination of Missouri teammates and coaches, too.
During a recent practice, Melton donned a white No. 80 jersey, typical for offensive players, while he took snaps at cornerback, an unusual sight on the field. Whether at receiver, running back, or quarterback, his versatility and elusiveness have grabbed attention and imagination. He hasn’t played both ways in a game since his high school days in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.
During Week 17 of last season, Melton drew the attention of the nation with his first-career start against the Minnesota Vikings. He led the Gators with six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. His exceptional performance made him the first Packers player to have more than 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in his first start since 2013. His performance on Saturday proved he can be more than just a receiver as he flashed ways he can help contribute moving forward.
Melton’s role on the team have increased beyond just receiver in recent weeks. He’s played in every one of those 17 games, and his role on special teams has grown tremendously since his rookie analog year. He only caught eight passes, but he made them count with 91 yards and some big breaks. On top of that, he rushed eight times for 54 yards showing off his versatility and speed on end-around and jet-motion plays.
The Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur, himself, has publicly dreamed of Melton’s dual-threat capability. “We’ve talked about this for a couple of years, just his skill set and how versatile he is,” said general manager Brian Gutekunst. So this idea of having Melton play two ways, that’s been a dream of mine for a year or so,” LaFleur said, echoing this sentiment.
Teammates were surprised when they saw Melton’s cornerback debut at minicamp. From Carrington Valentine’s perspective, it was an unusual sight to see a receiver playing defense. Even more surprising was that he was still wearing a number typically reserved for offensive players. “It’s different when you see a receiver come over there and he’s wearing No. 80 and you see him in a one-line drill,” Valentine noted.
When pressed on the hype around his appointment, Melton said he was up to the challenge. “I’m very versatile. Some things I like doing at receiver can make me be open for wideout. Some things at corner that I’ve done that have shown this team, these coaches, that I probably could work at corner. It’s not even something they are necessarily opposed to, it’s just something they want to study. I don’t have a problem with it as long as everything’s right,” he stated.
Still, Melton rebuffs any comparisons to other athletes. Above all else, he is focused on establishing himself as his own player and making his own name apart from the duo. That’s because he saw the excitement coming from Hunter, the 2nd overall pick of the 2025 draft. As either a receiver or cornerback at Colorado, Hunter stood out, but he stressed that he doesn’t see himself as Hunter’s competition outright. “Travis is a different athlete, as everybody knows,” Melton remarked, emphasizing his unique skill set.
As Melton continues to adapt and excel in both roles, his journey reflects not only individual growth but a broader shift in how teams may utilize players in the evolving landscape of professional football. His ability to transition between positions showcases not just talent but a strategic advantage for the Green Bay Packers.
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