Depth One of the Biggest Questions Facing the Packers Before Training Camp

The Green Bay Packers will open training camp next week to prepare for the 2022 season. Most experts view the Packers as having a deep and talented roster and as the team gathers for training camp, most of the starting jobs are more or less settled. Yes, there are some battles along the offensive line, but most of the other starters are known quantities barring injuries or a major step forward or back by other players on the roster.

But there are plenty of depth questions across the roster, questions that this team will have to address to fulfill their potential as contenders. Here is a look at the major battles ahead at depth positions along the roster. This does not include special teams although the ability of some of these players to contribute on special teams may factor in to roster decisions made by head coach Matt LaFleur and GM Brian Gutekunst when cuts are made before the season gets started in September.

Who Will Be the Third Running Back?

We know Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are slotted as the top two backs, but the battle for the RB3 spot is open. Last year's seventh round pick, Kylin Hill, was injured midseason and may not be ready to start the season as he continues to rehab his knee. The Packers are hoping Hill continues to progress in his second season.

Patrick Taylor showed some promise in limited duty after Hill was injured. He is a good receiver out of the backfield and has good size. Taylor would be the favorite if Hill starts the season on the PUP list.

Undrafted free agents B.J. Baylor and Tyler Goodson are also fighting for roster spots or spots on the practice squad. The third running back could become a key player in the offense if either Jones or Dillon were to miss time due to injuries.

Who Will Be the Third Safety?

Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos are the starters but last year's third safety, Henry Black, is not returning. That leaves several players fighting for the third and fourth safety spots with the third safety more likely to see some regular snaps on defense.

Vernon Scott, Shawn Davis, Innis Gaines, Tariq Carpenter and Tre Sterling are all battling for those two roster spots. Scott is the likely favorite heading into camp but Carpenter's combination of size and mobility could be intriguing to the coaching staff if the rookie, seventh round pick shows he's ready for a role on the defense in his first season. Davis looked good at OTAs and minicammp and should also factor into the mix. 

Since defenses are only as good as their weakest link, the Packers need somebody to step up and fill this position. Don't be shocked if Gutekunst adds a player after cuts are made if he's not happy with the way this group performs in preseason.

Who Is the 4th Cornerback?

The Packers may have the best three starting corners in the league in a healthy Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. But behind the big three are a lot of unproven players fighting for playing time. Is Shemar Jean-Charles ready to take a step forward in his second season? Is Keisean Nixon more than a special teams ace? Can Rico Gafford add technique to his speed to solidify a roster spot? It's put up or go home time for Kabion Ento who is now in his fourth training camp with the Packers.

Obviously, if one of the top three corners misses time due to injuries, one of these players must step up and play significant snaps. The Packers need to be confident in their fourth cornerback and the team needs someone to emerge at this position.

Who Is Edge 3?

Rashan Gary and Preston Smith give the Packers two solid starters at edge but depth at this position is full of questions. Neither Tipa Galeai nor Jonathan Garvin have delivered much pressure on opposing quarterbacks during the regular season. Randy Ramsey should be healthy and ready to show what he can do while Ladarius Hamilton is also hoping to make an impression on the coaching staff in camp.

The biggest newcomer is rookie Kingsley Enagbare who the Packers drafted in the fifth round this season. If Enagbare shows enough promise, he has a chance to see snaps on defense.

It is also possible that Gutekunst looks for another veteran like last year's addition of Whitney Mercilus after cuts are made before the start of the season to give the team a short-term fix at the position. 

Training camp is less than a week away. These and other battles should keep things interesting as the team begins work for 2022.

 

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

__________________________

NFL Categories: 
4 points
 

Comments (59)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
dobber's picture

July 21, 2022 at 12:33 pm

The DB questions are the ones I'm most interested in seeing how they're solved. Garvin might not be a high-end 3rd OLB, but he's shown he can play at an NFL level, and there's Enagbare behind him who will get some snaps. I think there are plenty of RB options in camp.

4 points
6
2
LLCHESTY's picture

July 21, 2022 at 04:05 pm

I thought the Packers would be interested in Dallin Leavitt, who the Raiders cut yesterday but I guess they signed a move TE that played in the USFL. Leavitt has the RB connection played 348 STs snaps and also 249 naps at safety. Wasn't terrible in coverage, 63% completions given up and 6.5 yards a target. I think they might have one more open spot but I'm not sure about that.

-2 points
0
2
Coldworld's picture

July 21, 2022 at 05:26 pm

There is plenty of time for Gute to churn at this point. Under Gute changes are likely not the exception at this time of year.

1 points
1
0
13TimeChamps's picture

July 22, 2022 at 10:08 am

What a welcome change from TT, who basically went into hibernation after the draft, particularly during the 2nd half of his tenure.

1 points
2
1
mnbadger's picture

July 21, 2022 at 01:16 pm

My biggest question is safety as I'm still not 100% sold on DSavage. Looking for consistency and more playmaking out of him in his third year.
Nary a word about offensive line? This is by far the unit with the most questions and the fewest options. As AR12 suggested, potential doesn't guarantee anything. If this group is healthy, I don't worry. Right now I'm worried about our offensive line. GPG!

0 points
4
4
splitpea1's picture

July 21, 2022 at 01:18 pm

RBs: I think we're going to be okay with Hill and Taylor. Baylor has little receiving or ST experience. Goodson has a high R.A.S., but will need to work extensively on his pass blocking, so it's probably off to the practice squad for him.

Edge: Maybe not as dire as I originally thought; we have versatile defenders along the front seven and a promising rookie, so there should be enough options for creating pressure.

Safeties and CBs: Help! Scott, SJB, Nixon are mainly special teamers with little experience on defense. SJB looked absolutely lost out there at times. Davis may have good potential in run support, but coverage is a question mark....Gute will be projecting potential cuts from other rosters and will be ready to pounce when the right one(s) avail themselves.

0 points
2
2
Turophile's picture

July 21, 2022 at 02:45 pm

I've said here before that I really like RB Hill. He may even be a starter splitting carries with Dillon in 2023 if the Packers are unable to keep Jones (currently with a $20m cap in 2023).

1 points
3
2
T7Steve's picture

July 21, 2022 at 01:20 pm

I'm always worried about depth everywhere. The front office or coaches don't seem to be. They're the experts so I'll hope it works out.

-2 points
0
2
HarlanHuckleby's picture

July 21, 2022 at 01:49 pm

Depth is important, but it’s still pretty nice that the biggest concerns are over 3rd and 4th options.

9 points
9
0
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

July 21, 2022 at 02:01 pm

HH,
I agree!

At this moment I'm not overly concerned about any positional depth. On paper the Pack seems pretty solid. Certainly as the season unfolds and a few injuries occur, or a player one was counting on for depth isn't ready to play my thoughts on this could change quickly. Fortunately, having Gutey upstairs and his knack for finding talent when needed also relieves any anxiety about depth issues.

2 points
2
0
Turophile's picture

July 21, 2022 at 02:42 pm

Agreed. Some teams have good depth at one or two positions, but they probably lack decent starters at others.

The Packers, especially the defense, has no real weaknesses anywhere..........so IF they can stay relatively healthy, they will be a real tough team to beat. I can't remember the last time they had this complete a defense. Even in 1996, I'm not sure they were this good (and they had the no.1 defense, at that time).

2 points
3
1
Johnblood27's picture

July 22, 2022 at 06:41 am

Biggest difference between 96 and today might be Fritz Shurmer vs Joe Barry...

96 D was #1, but had some no-name kinda players at LB and DB. Injuries kept some of those guys from becoming better known.

0 points
1
1
Vforrest's picture

July 22, 2022 at 01:08 pm

Yeh isn’t it every GM and front office job to constantly be looking for depth and culling what you might have for an upgrade? Kinda non-article to me…which team roster is absolutely perfect and the Owner says good job take a couple months off?

1 points
2
1
LLCHESTY's picture

July 21, 2022 at 03:58 pm

At least they have depth at WR!

"Which one of the rookie WRs do you expect to have the biggest impact this year?"

"The easiest answer here is Christian Watson, just because of the draft pedigree, his production at NDSU and his measurables. I mean, he's built like a No. 1 wide receiver and he certainly can be someday. In spite of all of that, I'm going to answer with Romeo Doubs. It's truly remarkable that someone with such a polished skill set was available where the Packers grabbed him; I fully think he's going to be overlooked by a lot of people if he isn't already. I think his hands are strong, his route-running is refined and his intellect for the game is vast. I see a ton of James Jones in his game and the makings of someone Aaron Rodgers will be able to rely on fairly early."

I know some think Doubs won't be productive because he's only a 4th round pick. I disagree but I'm not keeping a list.

https://247sports.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/Article/Packers-mailbag-Juli...

0 points
1
1
LambeauPlain's picture

July 21, 2022 at 04:55 pm

I like Doubs too. Like Greg Jennings, he caught a ton of passes in a pro O with his gunslinger QB.

I still cannot believe he lasted to the Packers 4th round!

1 points
2
1
LLCHESTY's picture

July 21, 2022 at 07:20 pm

Yeah watching him I see more Jennings than Jones but I think the author was talking about Jones being ready to play as a rookie. They both were pretty productive with over 40 catches and 600 yards as rookies. It would be great if Doubs or Watson could be that productive this year.

2 points
2
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 21, 2022 at 04:56 pm

I hope Doubs is a great WR for us. He brings quite a bit to the table and I'm sure he'll get on the field this year. In the Packer offense, most of the WR targets go to the Big 3, and the #4 and #5 guys don't get many opportunities.

I think Lazard will be one of the Big 3, and I think they brought Watkins in to be one of them. But I'm not seeing how a Day 3 rookie jumps ahead of Cobb, Amari, and a guy we traded up for, Watson, before training camp has even started.

If Doubs has a lot of production for us this year, it means that the vets ahead of him and Christian Watson have all been injured or performed poorly. I don't see that happening.

More likely, Doubs is our 5/6 guy, meaning he's on the 53 but maybe not active on gameday. If he's active, he'll get snaps but not many targets. He shows good stuff. Next year, he could be part of the Big 3.

Watkins and Lazard are the starters. Amari and Cobb are 3/4. Watson and Doubs are 5/6. That's today.

-2 points
0
2
Coldworld's picture

July 21, 2022 at 05:31 pm

Today will be yesterday before you know it.

1 points
1
0
PatrickGB's picture

July 21, 2022 at 08:30 pm

It’s just a matter of time.

2 points
2
0
CheesyTex's picture

July 21, 2022 at 10:10 pm

And today is tomorrow yesterday.

2 points
2
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 21, 2022 at 07:15 pm

I think Doubs is ahead of Rodgers for the reasons I quoted from the article.

"I think his hands are strong, his route-running is refined and his intellect for the game is vast. I see a ton of James Jones in his game and the makings of someone Aaron Rodgers will be able to rely on fairly early."

He's also more versatile than Rodgers and will be able to play the Z and slot right away which fits in well with Lazard. A starting 3 of Watkins, Lazard and Cobb is slow. Watkins WAS fast but that was many injuries ago and he's coming into camp at 225 lbs. The deep threats are Doubs and Watson. One or both need to play quite a bit or teams are going to creep towards the LOS. If they're not ready they'll have to look at bringing in a vet and Doubs is a better bet to run the whole tree than Watson.

This is also a different year than normal for that group. There isn't a set #1 or a set deep threat this year. Maybe by the end of the season they'll have a top 3-4 guys getting most of the snaps but early on they will all get their opportunities. I expect Doubs to make the most of his.

3 points
3
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 12:37 am

Ok, so it’s your opinion based on something you read. Got it. Silly me, thinking that history, math, and logic had anything to do with it.

-3 points
0
3
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 01:47 am

What history? It's a new day with Adams and MVS gone. It mostly comes from watching videos of Watson and Doubs. Anybody that did that, hearing he was calling the WRs coach at 11pm to ask about plays and hearing he spent some time with the 1s(rare for rookie under LaFluer) might use logic to predict if they want a deep threat on the field it will be Watson or Doubs and Doubs is further advanced than Watson at this point.

But I guess you're using logic to predict Rodgers will be a 3 or 4 so we'll have to wait and see. You've obviously read up on breakout age and dominator rating and how they're good predictors for NFL success.

2 points
2
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 08:24 am

What history??

Show me the Day 3 WRs who have become a starter their rookie year on a good team in the last 20 years. I’ll wait.

As regards Rodgers, I have actually witnessed players who took a big jump their second year. I think that. day Two pick making a jump his second season is quite a bit more likely than Doubs vaulting over vets and top draft picks. Maybe you’ll be right, but I don’t think so.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 11:05 am

Remember Marques Colston? 7th rounder, 2006. 1000 yard WR as a rookie. Had a HOF QB throwing to him. Saints played in the NFC championship in 2006.

Weird how that works hunh? Hope I didn't make you wait too long.

2 points
2
0
jannes bjornson's picture

July 22, 2022 at 01:27 pm

Andre Reed....

1 points
1
0
Coldworld's picture

July 21, 2022 at 05:30 pm

Doubs is a second rounder in most years. He’s the most polished of the rookie receivers. Watson is the least despite his potential. I wouldn’t rule out Toure making an impact either.

1 points
3
2
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 12:38 am

Toure will be a practice squad guy unless somebody takes a bad injury in training camp.

0 points
0
0
Coldworld's picture

July 22, 2022 at 07:25 am

Toure has less rough edges that receivers taken in the seventh in almost any year but this. He’s more refined than we would ordinarily expect for such a pick while being a plus athlete. He’s the type of guy who may surprise. I like to keep an open mind going into camp and I hope the team does, but if guys are more ready to perform then we need to use them. We can carry a Watson, but we can’t carry more with 2 high injury risks among the top 3. It’s going to be a battle royal for the depth, number kept and for snaps. Let’s see who earns what.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 08:35 am

MAYBE Doubs is a second round pick in other years. This is pure speculation supported by nothing.

Not a single NFL team thought Doubs was a Day 2 pick. 20 WRs, including several who will probably be busts, we’re taken before him. These are facts, which I think are more informative than speculation.

0 points
0
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 08:35 am

Double.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 10:56 am

Fact-If Watson or Doubs isn't on the field the Packers will have one of the slowest WR groups in the NFL, if not the slowest.
Fact- Doubs had a faster top speed than Watson at the Senior Bowl practices.
Fact- If they want a deep threat on the field it will be Watson or Doubs and Doubs worked hard to have a firm grasp of the playbook heading into TC and is a more advanced route runner than Watson.

0 points
0
0
jannes bjornson's picture

July 22, 2022 at 01:47 pm

Do not see a 4.52 guy taking the top off a guy who consistently runs a 4.35-36, 40 along with a 39"-0 vertical and 11-6" broad jump. Doubs has body to create off the slot, but I will send Watson deep along with Toure'.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 02:35 pm

Doubs had a higher top speed than Watson at the Senior Bowl. He was coming off injury when he ran the 40. He can get deep.

0 points
0
0
PatrickGB's picture

July 22, 2022 at 09:05 am

Good point. I think that the WR’s drafted this year would have been higher picks in previous years.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 11:19 am

I don't see how anybody could watch video of Doubs and watch his footwork and the cuts in his routes and think he can't be productive as a rookie. And that's not mentioning his speed.

I guess there's a gulf in talent between 3rd and 4th rounders that I didn't know about. That must be why the Packers 3rd rounders have done so well the last 10 years and 4th rounders have all been crap.

1 points
1
0
jannes bjornson's picture

July 22, 2022 at 01:23 pm

He ran routes from the Air Raid offense, Watson learned to block for Old School in a WCO variation that showed more run. He has more explosion than Doubs. Watson's high-point grabs on the sidelines were no different than Julio's at 'Bama. I will let the best men win the jobs. Doubs and Watson may both be starting in 3 to 4 WR looks.

0 points
0
0
Packers0808's picture

July 21, 2022 at 05:17 pm

I think the guy who was a big disappointment last year was WR Rodgers and he has a lot prove to even make the squad with the plethora of really good sounding WR vying for a team position!

1 points
3
2
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 12:40 am

Yeah, we’re going to cut a Day Two pick after one year where he got 5 touches. That’s exactly how the Packers do things.

-3 points
2
5
Coldworld's picture

July 22, 2022 at 07:33 am

Cobb is staying unless he gets hurt, so is Watkins. Lazard is a given. Watson is going nowhere and neither is Doubs. After that there are no givens, just opportunities waiting to be grabbed. All are young, have potential. Now is the time for them to seize it. Those that don’t can’t afford to be carried. Rodgers is firmly in that group.

We are here to win this year. There is little room for developmental baggage unless they are a ST fixture or Watson. Rodgers may be one who does grab a spot, but I think that the competition will be tough on O and on STs. I personally think there are better returners and gunners who are very likely on this roster. Let him prove that wrong.

1 points
1
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 08:42 am

I I’ll bet you, or anybody else, $500 that Amari Rodgers will not be cut. That’s not how the Packers do things

Oh, he didn’t have a single turnover on kick or punt returns last year. He was our kick and punt returner in the playoffs. The coaches obviously hold him in higher regard than you do.

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 11:11 am

You must think there's a huge difference between 3rd and 4th round picks. Or forgot J'Mon Moore already.

I'm not saying Rodgers is J'Mon but if he is they might as well cut their losses.

1 points
1
0
Packers0808's picture

July 22, 2022 at 07:44 am

Whole point is he had basically no touches. Doesn't exude a lot of confidence in his ability and his punt and kick off production was shaky at BEST! Yup he could be cut no matter where taken, LaFleur no nonsense type guy I doubt after last years ST and line messing during playoffs! I would hope he learned his lessons from last years and no experiments this!

3 points
3
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 08:44 am

I felt the same way with Aaron Rodgers when he didn’t do much as a rookie.

Actually, I didn’t, because I understand that people improve after their rookie season.

-1 points
0
1
Packers0808's picture

July 22, 2022 at 09:25 am

You mean the many hundreds that didn't? Many never do and you don't ever hear of them again except as busts elsewhere.

2 points
2
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 11:27 am

So the personnel departments of 32 teams go out every year and draft lots of people who do not improve with a year of professional development, practices, film study, coaching, weight training, etc, Is that your point.?

I was 20 once. I know that I was bigger and stronger at 25. I knew more. Am I the only guy this happened to?

0 points
0
0
Packers0808's picture

July 22, 2022 at 12:40 pm

Yup, right on!

1 points
1
0
Leatherhead's picture

July 22, 2022 at 11:27 am

So the personnel departments of 32 teams go out every year and draft lots of people who do not improve with a year of professional development, practices, film study, coaching, weight training, etc, Is that your point.?

I was 20 once. I know that I was bigger and stronger at 25. I knew more. Am I the only guy this happened to?

0 points
0
0
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 02:49 pm

That's exactly what breakout age and dominator rating are for. If a 19 yr old is performing better than most 22 yr olds he most likely is going to be a better pro too.

0 points
0
0
ImaPayne's picture

July 21, 2022 at 05:57 pm

Another year of hit and misses but this time on both sides the ball. I dont see as strong a team as last year. Even old Rodgers will not have his finest hour

-4 points
1
5
LLCHESTY's picture

July 21, 2022 at 06:58 pm

Spoken like a true Vikings fan

3 points
3
0
Packers0808's picture

July 21, 2022 at 07:16 pm

This guy is always trying to be funny and needs attention! by provoking people . Ignore.

0 points
1
1
LLCHESTY's picture

July 22, 2022 at 02:58 pm

He pretty much admitted it in one of the draft articles. He's on the Acme site too. Weird. I guess in his mind it's better than going to a Viking site and getting filled with false hopes.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

July 21, 2022 at 06:32 pm

Multiple times each season the "depth is a concern" article is written a.bout the Packers.

What I'd like to see for a change is an ambitious article that attempts to show us the deepest team in the NFL and attempt to objectively compare that team's depth with the Packers.

The thing with NFL is there aren't enough quality starters to go around. If there were, you'd expect no team would have a hole at a given position, but we all know that's not the case.

If there's not enough quality starters to go around, you can make the assumption the vast majority of teams will have depth concerns, too. Its a part of football.

4 points
4
0
Coldworld's picture

July 21, 2022 at 06:45 pm

When perhaps the major question is depth, that alone speaks volumes. The pieces are there. The excuses are not.

1 points
2
1
stockholder's picture

July 21, 2022 at 07:22 pm

We shall see. But I'm pulling for Goodson @ RB. Next- I'm not on the Savage band wagon, like many of you. Sorry, but I think he's Ha HA Dix #2. The 4th CB doesn't matter. If it does. Go sign Kevin King. (if he's still available) The edge- Vet off Waiver wire.
Gil- What you have is next years draft.

-1 points
1
2
T7Steve's picture

July 22, 2022 at 07:15 am

Savage has speed! You can't coach that. Consistency comes with experience and speed makes up for allot of inexperience.

1 points
1
0
PatrickGB's picture

July 22, 2022 at 09:21 am

Actually, I would prefer King over Nixon. I don’t think that Nixon is the one. He showed little or nothing with the Raiders at CB. I think that it’s interesting that we are trying to do projections at this point in time. But, then, what choice do we have?

-1 points
0
1
TarynsEyes's picture

July 21, 2022 at 07:22 pm

The depth problem isn't that they don't have players, as, like any team, the issue for the Packers has been more of the dropoff from starter to number two in too many position groups, though at the moment that seems to have reduced with the concern being more about 3rd and 4th level backups. However, this is mostly based on the paper roster with the assumption that a few or many will step up or at least maintain a previous level of performance and contribution.

2 points
3
1