Green Bay Packers: 6 Position Battles with Predictions to Watch

Green Bay Packers training camp is about a month away and here are 6 position battles – and an honorable mention – to keep your eyes on this summer along with some predictions.

One of the best parts about training camp and the preseason is watching the position battles that take place. Every team has them, spots that are up for grabs, and the performances that take place during practice and the preseason games will go a long way in determining these roles.

And the 2020 Green Bay Packers are no different.

Going through position by position, I’ve locked in on six battles in particular that piqued my interest. Of course, there are going to be others and new ones may arise as the summer and regular season rolls on.

But with training camp set to begin about a month from now, these are some players and positions to keep your eyes on.

Lazard v. Funchess for WR2

With the receiver position really struggling in 2019, we fortunately saw the emergence of Allen Lazard throughout the season. He made the big plays when called upon and was an uber-reliable target on third downs, which quickly earned him Aaron Rodgers’ trust. The hope is that Lazard can build off of his performance last season.

The most likely receiver to push Lazard for those WR2 targets is Devin Funchess. Although he missed most of 2019 with an injury, he has found success at the NFL level, including an 840 yard, 8 touchdown season in 2017. He’s a big target who can line up out wide or in the slot and could form quite the one-two punch with Rodgers in the red zone.

Prediction: Allen Lazard 

Turner v. Taylor for RG1

I wrote a more in-depth article about this battle that you can find here, but essentially I don’t see Billy Turner as the guaranteed starter at right guard. He was very up and down in 2019, and I think most would agree he was below-average overall.

If we compare his 2019 performance to Lane Taylor’s 2018 performance – the last time he was healthy – whether it’s by Pro Football Focus’ metrics or Andy Herman of Packer Report, Taylor was the better guard. The common thought is that Taylor has been relegated to backup duties but I certainly wouldn’t sleep on him.

Prediction: Billy Turner

Lowry v. Keke for IDL2

I’ll sum up Dean Lowry’s play for the Green Bay Packers last season as fine. He doesn’t make much noise as a pass rusher, but he does do the dirty work and came away with 27 run-stops in 2019, the 11th most among all interior defensive linemen.

However, Kenny Clark needs more help and with no major offseason additions, that boost is going to have to come from someone already on the roster. And many believe that player is Kinsley Keke. Known more as a pass-rusher coming out of Texas A&M, Keke surprised several coaches last season with his ability against the run as well.

In terms of upside, Keke has the higher ceiling of the two, but the big question is will he have developed enough to play a much larger role in 2020?

Prediction: Lowry early on, but Keke takes over

Slot CB Duties

Shortly after the draft, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned that Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, Chandon Sullivan, and Josh Jackson would all be competing for slot duties in 2020.

However, Alexander’s skill-set is best spent out wide covering the opponent’s top receiver and I would much rather see Savage moving around, rather than playing one specific position. Now having said that, both would be excellent in the slot and I’m sure they will see snaps there.

When it comes to Sullivan – much like Lazard – he was a welcomed surprise last season as his role increased as the season went on. On the flip side, Jackson rarely saw the field and when he did he was picked on.

Prediction: Chandon Sullivan

ILB2

As long as he’s healthy, we know that Christian Kirksey will be the starting inside linebacker for this Green Bay Packers’ defense, but after him, there are a lot of question marks at that position.

Oren Burks has fought injuries during each summer and just hasn’t put it together when he’s been on the field. Ty Summers has to show that he’s more than a special teams player and although Curtis Bolton flashed last year, I have no clue what to expect from him as he returns from injury.

Then there is fifth-round pick Kamal Martin who adds a nice skill-set as someone who can defend the run but also work in space. And even undrafted free agent Krys Barnes brings coverage ability to this position.

Prediction: Oren Burks

A.J. Dillon v. Jamaal Williams for RB2

During his time with the Green Bay Packers, Jamaal Williams has been a solid all-around back. Whether as a runner, pass-catcher, or a pass-blocker, he’s done it all. But what A.J. Dillon can provide is explosiveness and that home run ability alongside of Aaron Jones.

Also, keep in mind that Green Bay did spend a second-round pick on Dillon, they didn’t do that for him to sit on the sidelines.

Prediction: A.J. Dillon

Honorable Mention: Right Tackle

I’ll throw this one in here since Matt LaFleur said that Rick Wagner would be competing for the starting right tackle duties, but I just don’t see that as the case. I mean, who is he even competing with?

Lane Taylor made two starts at left tackle and held up decently but that was back in 2017. Billy Turner working in space just isn’t ideal and we know what the Packers have in Alex Light at this point. After those three are several players who have never taken an NFL snap at tackle. This is Wagner’s job to lose.