A closer look at Packers position battles taking place v. 49ers
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers take on the San Francisco 49ers in their first preseason game of the 2022 season.
As is the case really every year, there are a number of position battles taking place–both for playing time as well as trying to earn a roster spot on the 53-man.
Once these preseason games take place, we will gain much more clarity on where these battles stand, but before then, here is a position-by-position look at who is competing for playing time, who is competing for a roster spot, and what we’ve learned so far in training camp.
Green Bay Packers Running Backs
Competing for potential playing time and a roster spot: Patrick Taylor, Dexter Williams, BJ Baylor, and Tyler Goodson
Until Kylin Hill returns, the Green Bay Packers have an opening for the third running back role on this roster. At this point, now two weeks into training camp practices, no one has really ran away with this roster spot.
I would still consider Patrick Taylor the favorite, given his experience in the Matt LaFleur offense, his ability as a pass-catcher and a blocker, along with being a potential special teams contributor. With that said, he has missed a few practices already with an injury and hasn’t really separated himself–at least not from the outside looking in.
Goodson has shown excellent burst and was an effective receiver while at Iowa. Baylor brings more pop to the position and was one of the more difficult running backs to bring down in college football last season. The Packers recently signed Dexter Williams, although I see him as more of a camp body.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers
Competing for playing time: Romeo Doubs, Juwann Winfree, and Amari Rodgers
Competing for a roster spot: Juwann Winfree, Samori Toure, and Malik Taylor
Romeo Doubs has been the star of training camp so far, but the next step for him is to continue to make plays during the preseason. If Doubs can, he will better position himself for more snaps and targets to begin the regular season.
Juwann Winfree has continued to build trust with Aaron Rodgers and gives the Packers another potential boundary target. Rodgers, meanwhile, will be the second slot option behind Randall Cobb — although others will line up there as well — and what the snap breakdown looks like between the two is still a bit unclear. In large part, it will depend on how Rodgers performs this preseason.
I also included Winfree in the “competing for roster spot” category because I wouldn’t quite consider him a roster lock at this point like I would the other two. For these three receivers competing for the potential seventh roster spot at receiver, special teams play will be very important.