The Green Bay Packers are 10 practices into their training camp schedule, and while we’ve gained a little bit of clarity when it comes to a few of the position battles taking place, for the most part, there is still a ways to go.
This isn’t abnormal, however. In fact, Matt LaFleur told reporters last week that oftentimes these roster bottles don’t begin to sort themselves out until the preseason begins–which for the Packers is this Friday against San Francisco.
"“Yeah, I think we have to get into some of those preseason games, and really give it a chance to sort itself out,” LaFleur said via Packers Wire. “A lot of times you see guys start to separate themselves from the group.”"
An overview of each of the Packers positional battles currently taking place
Edge rusher and safety have perhaps the most roster spots up for grabs, with two or three at each position.
At edge rusher, La’Darius Hamilton appears to be in control of one of those spots, seeing the most consistent playing time with the second team defense, while Tipa Galeai, Jonathan Garvin, Kingsley Enagbare, and Randy Ramsey rotate in.
Vernon Scott has flown up the safety depth chart recently, filling in with the first team defense while an injured Darnell Savage is sidelined. This remains a crowded room, however, which means things can change. Shawn Davis has seen some first-team reps early on in camp while also appearing to have been the front-runner for the third safety role following offseason programs.
Dallin Leavitt has over 800 career special teams snaps while in Las Vegas under Rich Bisaccia. Tariq Carpenter has potential to be a core contributor in that third phase with his rare combination of size and speed along with his special teams experience from his time at Georgia Tech. Innis Gaines brings a versatile skill-set, having taken snaps on special teams as well as in the slot.
At the running back and cornerback positions, each have a roster spot available, with the linebacker unit having one for sure and possibly two.
At running back, no one has really seized that third running back role that is up for grabs until Kylin Hill returns. Rico Gafford at cornerback is the clear front-runner for that sixth spot, largely because of his special teams ability with his 4.22 speed, but he has made some nice defensive plays as well.
Isaiah McDuffie looks much improved in his second season and, if on the team, he will be a core special teams player once again. There is still time for Ty Summers and Ray Wilborn to leap McDuffie, but right now, those two appear to be competing for the fifth linebacker spot–if there is one.
Meanwhile, on the offensive line, there is playing time at stake as there have been two different starting configurations utilized. One, from left to right, consisting of Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, and Royce Newman. The other, Zach Tom — who has also seen reps at right tackle — Runyan, Myers, Newman, and Nijman.
In terms of the roster spots, those seem pretty well set at this time. However, once David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins return, there will have to be a cut or two made.
As I’ve mentioned all offseason, I believe the first six spots on the receiver depth chart are set, but there are snaps available. Aaron Rodgers will likely lean on the veteran presences of Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, and Randall Cobb early on, but Romeo Doubs is doing everything in his power to earn his share of targets. It also remains to be seen how Christian Watson will fit into that equation.
At this time, I don’t see the Packers rostering a seventh wide receiver, primarily because there won’t be many — or any — targets available when you take into consideration the targets that the tight end and running back positions will get along with the receivers at the top of the depth chart. But if there is a seventh roster spot granted at this position, Juwann Winfree and Samori Toure are the two fighting for it.
The last position I’ll mention is tight end–specifically Dominique Dafney. We know that Robert Tonyan — when healthy — Marcedes Lewis, and Josiah Deguara will be on this roster, and it appears that Tyler Davis will as well. Dafney, in all likelihood, isn’t jumping any of these players on the depth chart, but if he can prove that he is deserving of special teams snaps, we could see the Packers keep a fifth tight end.
And speaking of special teams, Jack Coco has had the playing time advantage over Steven Wirtel at long-snapper, but just like the other positions mentioned, the preseason action will better shed light on this battle.
On top of that, special teams play is also going to be the path for many of these back-end of the roster players to make the team.
Bisaccia calls special teams “we-fense” for a reason because it is an all-encompassing unit made up of just about every position group. So a fifth tight end, for example, is not only competing with the tight end group but also the fifth linebacker, as well as the seventh wide receiver for a roster spot.
When it comes to special teams contributions, it’s not so much about which position the player plays, but rather can they provide the most value?
"“Obviously, with all those guys that aren’t our starters, their presence on ‘wefense’ is going to be absolutely critical to our football team, and how they can contribute in that area is going to have a big effect if they are on our roster,” LaFleur said."
As you can see, there is still a lot to be decided before the 53-man roster is set and playing time is determined.
When the Packers take the field against the 49ers, along with the two preseason games that follow, who is on the first, second, and third team offensive and defensive units will give us an idea of where players stand on the depth chart. But, of course, performance is King and will really lay the groundwork moving forward.
At a majority of the positions discussed, things are a bit murky, but as LaFleur pointed out, we will begin to gain some clarity when the Packers take the field later this week against the 49ers—and that will continue with each preseason game that takes place.