As Allison enters 2018 as probably the one player on the Packers' offense assuming considerably more responsibility than he ever has before, good luck finding anyone in the locker room who doesn't believe he's up for the task.

He can't replace Jordy Nelson, but in sliding up to the No. 3 spot behind Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, Allison will play a big part in the Packers' attempt to continue humming along without him.

Allison has earned the trust of quarterback Aaron Rodgers little by little over his first two years. As a rookie in 2016, he came off the practice squad to catch a TD pass in his first NFL game in Atlanta. Later that season with Cobb sidelined due to injury, he came up big down the stretch, diving for a memorable, game-clinching touchdown catch at Detroit to conclude one of Rodgers' interminable scramble drills.

Even in the playoffs, he caught three passes in the big win at Dallas, all for first downs. Then last year in Week 3 against Cincinnati, he turned in his career game – six catches for 122 yards, including a 72-yard catch-and-run on third down in overtime to set up a game-winning field goal.

Asked what kind of 2018 season Allison could produce in his elevated role, Rodgers didn't make any grand pronouncements, but all the elements for a significant contribution are there. To Rodgers, Allison has put in the work. Now he just needs to get open.

"The ball goes to the open guy," Rodgers said. "G-mo, I've always had a lot of confidence in him. He's a great teammate, has a great professional work ethic, he's prepared, he knows the offense really well, and that's the starting point of any type of trust is the mental part.

"I expect him to be in the right spot, to run the routes the right way, and if he's open, he'll get the ball."

Allison's journey hasn't been without its stumbles. He was suspended for the opener last season for a substance-abuse violation, and his fumble late in the fourth quarter at Carolina in Week 15 ended the Packers' (and Rodgers') comeback and playoff hopes.