5 serious position battles to watch during Packers’ training camp
The Green Bay Packers have kicked-off training camp and already have some serious position battles taking place throughout the roster.
Although Green Bay has the top-end talent to compete for a Super Bowl this season, they need to figure out their depth at several positions if they want to truly contend. Football is an unforgiving sport and there will be injuries where backups will have to step up. At this point, it’s unclear if the Packers have the depth and talent to withstand such an injury.
Setting that aside, for now, let’s check out five positional battles to seriously keep your eye on during training camp.
Make sure you keep your eye on these five serious position battles taking place during the Green Bay Packers’ training camp.
Long Snapper
This may not seem like a noteworthy one, but it will have a great impact on Green Bay’s special teams this season. The long snapper is a crucial ingredient in both the punt and field goal units, and the Packers need an upgrade from a season ago. That’s why they brought in Jack Coco, who has been getting first-team reps during the first couple of days, to challenge the incumbent Steven Wirtel.
Running Back 3
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are entrenched atop the depth chart, but Green Bay still uses a third running back a decent amount of time on offense. Kylin Hill got off to a fast start last season, but is still recovering from an injury that cost him most of his rookie year. Patrick Taylor is the favorite to win the job again, but he has good competition from undrafted rookies BJ Baylor and Tyler Goodson.
Wide Receiver
Where isn’t there a roster battle taking place at wide receiver? Nothing is set in stone from the top of the depth chart down to the last roster spots, and it’s all up for grabs. With Sammy Watkins already injured, Allen Lazard is getting a head start on the WR1 job. Romeo Doubbs is also taking advantage of Christian Watson’s injury and has shown out in camp so far. Juwann Winfree is another guy fighting for a roster spot and has had a great start as well. This is sure to develop as the days go on so keep a very close eye on this entire position.
Outside Linebacker
Rashan Gary looks primed for a breakout year, but there are major question marks behind him and Preston Smith. The Packers have a bunch of unproven players in Jonathan Garvin, Tipa Galeai, Randy Ramsey and Ladarius Hamilton. They desperately need at least one of them to separate themselves from the pack.
Next. 3 Packers with most to prove in training camp. dark
Safety
This may already be playing out, as Shawn Davis has gotten off to a fast start in camp. The Packers would love to move either Darnell Savage or Adrian Amos out of a traditional safety role from time to time, but haven’t found a reliable third safety to take their spot. Davis is still raw, but the potential is there for him to spell Savage or Amos occasionally.