3 Packers Who Could Lose their Starting Jobs in 2020
The Green Bay Packers are hoping to increase their internal competition from a season ago and these three players could lose their starting spots.
A sign of a good team is how deep they are at every position. Not just how good their starter is, but how hard that starter is pushed by internal competition. As the Packers are trying to take the next step from good to great, they’ve worked hard to improve the quality of players on their roster.
That potentially improved depth will (hopefully) lead to some bigger training camp battles that carry over to the preseason and even the regular season.
Every year, there is roster turnover from the Week 1 to Week 17. We saw some of that last season when second-round pick Elgton Jenkins took over for Lane Taylor at left guard. After not playing in the first four games, Allen Lazard broke out for the offense in Week 6 and helped spark the offense the rest of the season.
It’s hard to say who will make a similar leap this season, but let’s take a look at three presumptive starters who could be at risk of losing their starting jobs.
Jace Sternberger
After letting Jimmy Graham walk, the Packers have a huge question mark at tight end. Jace Sternberger, last year’s third-round pick, appears to be in the best position to win the starting job ahead of veterans Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan as well as rookie Josiah Deguara.
However, Sternberger didn’t show much last year and the coaching staff is depending on a huge second-year leap that doesn’t always happen for tight ends. If Deguara proves to be a quick learner, he could take over at tight end in Matt LaFleur’s run-heavy scheme.
Tyler Lancaster
Green Bay’s run defense was horrendous last year, in part, because of the sub-optimal play by the defensive linemen not named Kenny Clark. Tyler Lancaster is definitely guilty of that and needs to step up his play in 2020. Montravius Adams and Kingsley Keke are also vying for more reps and are licking their chops as they wait. There’s also the fact Za’Darius Smith could spend more time on the line, as Rashan Gary continues to get better. All of those factors have Lancaster needing to improve or risk losing reps next year.
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Ricky Wagner
The Packers refused to pay Bryan Bulaga in free agency, allowing the veteran to walk. In his steed, they brought in former Wisconsin Badger Ricky Wagner. Wagner was released by the Detroit Lions earlier in the offseason, therefore, not counting against the Packers in the compensation pick formula. However, Wagner has been shaky in recent seasons and Green Bay could move their line around if he isn’t able to protect Aaron Rodgers’ strong side. Billy Turner has experience at tackle and Lane Taylor or Lucas Patrick could slide in at right guard if needed.