Undrafted free agent might be secret to Packers’ success against 5-1 Texans

DeMeco Ryans might be focused on the best quarterback Houston has seen this year, but there’s another player that surely has the attention of the Texans’ head coach. And unless you own a share of Packers stock, you likely have not heard of him. His name is Emanuel Wilson.

At the end of every NFL draft, coaches and scouts engage in their own brand of college recruiting. On the phone with agents and undrafted prospects, teams battle feverishly for 12-24 rookies to complement their draft classes. Since the late Ted Thompson became the Packers’ general manager in 2005 and drafted Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay has considered that late phase of every draft critical.

That phase appears to have paid off again for the Packers after they signed Wilson last year. And this week, Green Bay (4-2) will likely need him against the Texans (5-1) at Lambeau Field (1 p.m. ET, CBS). That’s because Houston’s defense ranks fourth in the NFL against the pass (163.2 yards per game).

But Wilson is a big reason why Green Bay’s rushing offense ranks second in the league at 167.2 yards per game. It’s the team’s best rushing offense since 2003, and it’s a huge reason why the Packers were 2-0 without Jordan Love earlier this year. Behind Josh Jacobs in the Packers’ backfield, Wilson has continued to make Matt LaFleur comfortable with putting the ball in his hands.

“A lot more comfortable,” said the Packers’ head coach. “I think he’s done a good job and continues to get better. And when given opportunities, I think he’s maximized those. So, for him it’s just about being consistent down in and down out and making sure you’re doing all the little things day-to-day. But I’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”

Confidence isn’t something Wilson lacks, either. Now in his second year from Fort Valley State, a Division II school in Georgia, Wilson continues to play a bigger role in the NFL’s No. 2-ranked rushing offense. He’s also a great complement to Josh Jacobs.

After weaving his way through the stingy Titans defense for his first NFL touchdown on Sept. 22, Wilson has indeed gotten better and better. Last week in the Packers’ 34-13 win over Arizona, he posted an early career-high 54 rushing yards, averaging 7.7 yards on seven carries.

Once buried on a training camp depth chart, Wilson now averages one first down every four touches (12 first downs, 48 touches). Rest assured, he’s not allowing much rest for Ryans and his coaches this week. With A.J. Dillon out for the season and rookie MarShawn Lloyd on injured reserve, look for Wilson to maximize more opportunities against the Texans on Sunday.