A closer look at Packers position battles taking place v. 49ers
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers Tight End
Competing for a roster spot: Dominique Dafney
Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, and Tyler Davis are all going to be on this Packers roster. The question, however, is whether Green Bay keeps four or five tight ends. As I discussed earlier this offseason, I do believe that’s in play if Dafney can make some noise on special teams. For what it’s worth, he was among PFF’s best blocking tight ends in football last season.
Green Bay Packers Offensive Line
Competing for playing time: Royce Newman, Zach Tom, and Jake Hanson
Competing for a roster spot: Cole Van Lanen and Caleb Jones
Of course, a lot of this is contingent on when David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins return. The starting offensive line against San Francisco will consist of Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, and Josh Myers; all are locks to start Week 1 if Bakhtiari and Jenkins are still sidelined.
The other two starters will be Jake Hanson and Royce Newman, although, in practice, Zach Tom has been rotating in at right tackle with Newman moving to guard. The offensive line play to begin training camp has been very shaky.
If both Bakhtiari and Jenkins begin the season on the PUP list, then my guess is that Van Lanen makes the 53-man roster. If one is back, Van Lanen may be on the outside looking in, depending on how many offensive linemen the Packers want to keep. If both are back, then from a numbers standpoint, I don’t see how Van Lanen sticks.
Jones I would still consider a long-shot to make the 53-man roster, but he’s moved up the Packers depth chart, taking snaps at tackle with the second team offense, a position Green Bay is currently thin at. We will see what the preseason holds for him.