4 Packers Who Have Surprised at Beginning of Training Camp
These four members of the Green Bay Packers have made a positive impression on reporters since the beginning of Training Camp.
Despite winning 13 of their 16 regular season games last year and advancing to the NFC Championship Game, the Green Bay Packers have multiple opportunities for players to step up and earn extra playing time or even a starting gig in 2020. Most (but not every) player on this list is looking for an expanded role next year and are off to a great start so far in training camp.
4. Jonathan Garvin
The top three outside linebackers are set with Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Rashan Gary locking down the positions. And, boy, are they good. However, there’s still the fourth spot on the depth chart that’s up in the air.
Jonathan Garvin, a 2020 seventh-round draft pick, appears to be off to a great start in earning a role in the defense. He’s been a step ahead of his primary competition in Tim Williams and Randy Ramsey and has flashed good quickness off the line. It would be quite an accomplishment if he earns that fourth OLB spot.
3. Kingsley Keke
Outside of Kenny Clark, the Packers’ defensive line got pushed around last year in embarrassing fashion. They were dominated in an alarming number of contests and were a big reason why Green Bay struggled mightily to stop the run. That creates an opening for second-year pro Kingsley Keke.
Keke was a fifth-round selection in 2019 and has dominated one-on-one pass rush drills so far according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. That’s great news for a unit that lacked energy and intensity outside of Clark just a season ago.
2. Kamal Martin
Speaking of potential starters, Kamal Martin appears to have a leg up for the second inside linebacker spot behind newcomer Christian Kirksey. Martin has looked explosive in practice and his athleticism is a big positive. As of now, he’s ahead of his primary competition in Ty Summers, Oren Burks and Curtis Bolton.
1. Aaron Rodgers
This one is not like the others. The rest of the list is full of young guys who haven’t made a name for themselves–the opposite of Aaron Rodgers. However, after an offseason full of criticism, including analysts calling him overrated and the Packers’ drafting his apparent predecessor in the first round, Rodgers has responded in full at the start of training camp.
Veldheer is waiting by the phone for the Packers to call. dark. Next
He shares he watched his film from 2010 and noticed a negative regression in his play since then. Although he wouldn’t note what it was, it appears this film study has greatly helped him in the early going. Rodgers has reportedly had a number of impressive practices and there’s a considerable amount of buzz surrounding his play once again.