-- Two different paths, two different sets of expectations entering 2018.

For Geronimo Allison, the Green Bay Packers' third-year undrafted receiver is planning on playing a significant role in the team's offensive plans -- especially with Jordy Nelson no longer housed on the roster.

And then there's Jake Kumerow from UW—Whitewater.

Kumerow, 26, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015 before spending the entirety of his rookie season on their practice squad. He spent all of two weeks in 2017 on the New England Patriots' practice squad.

His journey led him to Green Bay last December -- again to the practice squad -- where he eventually inked a reserve/future contract with the Packers a week later.

In his first training camp with the Packers, he's been one of the early standouts at the wide receiver position, offering a fun shake-up to a young and unproven unit.

"He’s really stood out throughout the spring," McCarthy said before the Packers' first padded practice of the summer on Saturday.

"He’s been extremely productive with his opportunities. He’s been climbing and scratching, that’s really nothing new for us who have seen what he’s done here. Like anything, practicing in helmets is a lot different than practicing in pads, so we want to see everyone make progress today."

Kumerow doesn't have a regular season snap to his credit, and he has quite the hill to climb en route to securing a roster spot on a crowded depth chart that currently consists of 10 other receivers. But a good start would be transitioning his early success into consistency during padded practices.

Allison's script is similar -- but not so much. Not many roster spots or position battles are secured by the end of July, however, Allison is primed to contribute offensively in a much greater facet than in year's past.

"I really like what Geronimo is doing," McCarthy said. "He’s so consistent, his tenacity — I admire it. When you look at him, he may not look built like a special team player in his first and second-year, but if you watch it in his production last year, I thought he played at a very high level."

Allison opened up camp with the No. 1 offense, but still has to fend off rookies pursuing playing time.

J'Mon Moore, a fourth-round pick from April, is the likey of the bunch. The Packers also have in-house, lesser-known talents such as DeAngelo Yancey, Adonis Jennings and Kyle Lewis -- the latter two being added to the roster just this past week -- who will need a strong preseason to cause any commotion.

While Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown -- fifth and sixth-round picks, respectively -- could also make a push for playing time, Allison has the edge over any of those names because of his established on-field connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

But of course, constructing such chemistry with Rodgers is the ultimate prize for a summer's worth of hard work for any of the young receivers. It's also the main point of emphasis behind Joe Philbin's operations as offensive coordinator, much like it was in 2011 during his last season with Green Bay.

"We’ve changed up some things schematically, but the overview is the same thing. It’s continuing to build trust and chemistry with Aaron and continuing to get on the same page with him," Wide receiver Randall Cobb said on Friday, who is situated on the complete opposite end of the spectrum in terms of roster status as opposed to Allison and Kumerow.

"It’s all about that chemistry and continuing to talk through things. Year-to-year, things change. We try to work through different changes and make sure we’re all on the same page."