Who is Bo Melton? The Packers receiver added to the 53-man roster has had two breakout weeks
Even in a season littered with standout performances by young Green Bay Packers pass-catchers, nobody could have predicted Bo Melton would be the first to record a 100-yard receiving game in 2023.
Melton, a practice-squad player elevated to the active roster, did just that against Minnesota on Sunday, catching six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' 33-10 win. Melton also had four catches for 44 yards the week before against Carolina, one week after his first career NFL reception against Tampa Bay.
The Packers added Melton to the permanent 53-man roster this week. So, who is he?
How did the Green Bay Packers acquire Bo Melton?
The Packers signed Bo Melton off the Seattle Seahawks practice squad late in the 2022 season. He took the spot of defensive lineman Dean Lowry, who had been placed on injured reserve after suffering a calf injury against Miami on Christmas.
The Packers added him with special teams in mind after he thrived at that discipline in college. At the time, Keisean Nixon was also banged up, and the Packers were potentially in the market for a return man. Christian Watson was also out with a hip injury, hurting the Packers receiving depth.
The Packers retained Melton on the practice squad this year and elevated him for a game in November, though he was released along with running back James Robinson after Melton briefly saw the field for two offensive snaps and six special-teams snaps in his NFL debut against the Lions on Thanksgiving.
The Packers, however, were able to re-sign Melton to the practice squad, and after three elevations the past three weeks, needed to add him to the 53-man roster for him to appear in another game.
Was Bo Melton drafted or an undrafted free agent?
Prior to arriving in Green Bay in late 2022, Melton had spent the season on the Seahawks practice squad, having been drafted in the seventh round (229th pick overall, one pick after the Packers drafted defensive back Tariq Carpenter) in 2022.
The Packers drafted Samori Toure, the player Melton just replaced on the active roster, later in that same round.
Melton flashed in the Senior Bowl and appeared on Mel Kiper Jr.'s draft board as a third-round talent shortly before the draft.
How old is Bo Melton?
He's 24 years old and in his second season of NFL experience, but this is the first year he's gotten on the field.
Where did Bo Melton go to college?
Melton played five seasons of college football at Rutgers, appearing in 56 games with 11 touchdowns (nine receiving). He also returned some punts and kickoffs and had an active role on special teams.
He was named honorable-mention all-Big Ten in 2020 and was a team captain in 2020 and 2021. He started 11 games as a senior and left the program with the sixth-most career receptions (164).
Melton's parents were both athletes at Rutgers: father Gary played wide receiver and running back from 1987-91 and mother Vicky played on the basketball team from 1989-93.
Where is Bo Melton originally from?
Melton calls Mays Landing, New Jersey, home and attended Cedar Creek High school, where he played football, basketball and track. He was a conference champion in the 200 meters, 400 and long jump in 2016 and he led the football team to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 championship as a junior.
He said a viral moment that appeared on ESPN, when Melton was shown dragging a defender 15 yards for a touchdown, helped open his eyes to his potential.
His athleticism rated very well using Relative Athletic Score at the NFL scouting combine, scoring a 9.24 out of 10. Christian Watson, by comparison, led all receivers at the combine in 2022 with a 9.96, and Melton ranked eighth out of more than 30 receivers graded.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who is Bo Melton? Packers receiver has had two breakout weeks
