It’s time to separate the men from the boys for a 2023 Packer squad. They have had OTA’s, mini-camps and a couple of weeks to see what they have, now it’s time to decide who they’ll keep. Matt LaFleur’s fifth go at it will be with a young team that would like nothing more than to grab some cats by the tail this week to launch lineup and roster battles to be settled on in just 19 days.
Here’s where I believe things stand.
QB With Danny Etling’s cut, it’s Sean Clifford and Alex McGough for number two and unless something unforeseen happens, likely on the 53.
RB Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson, draft pick Lew Nichols and even Emanuel Wilson have shown some pop in a spirited RB3 race.
WR Figure Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure and Jayden Reed are at the front of the line. You know who’s made Clifford look good? Bo Melton. Malik Heath is very much in the mix while Dontayion Wicks jumps back in too.
TE Austin Allen opened a few more eyes at Lambeau, a fifth behind the two draft picks, Deguara and Davis might be tempting.
OL What a mixmaster summer this has been in search of the “best 5”, more like the best 3. The left side, no matter how much David Bakhtiari reps in full pads and Elgton Jenkins is a must for Chicago, not Cincinnati. Josh Myers, Jon Runyan and Yosh Nijman or Zach Tom makes it six already. What of Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones? There have been two arrivals since camp began in centers James Empey and Cole Schneider to keep the revolving door spinning.
DL The kids can play, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks are the pair scouts want to see against another bunch. They’ve pushed the likes of Jonathan Ford and Chris Slayton making this one of the surprisingly productive groups in camp.
LB If Rashan Gary isn’t ready by week one, Justin Hollins is, Kingsley Enegbare will also rotate a lot with Preston Smith and Lukas Van Ness looks the part. Keshawn Banks, new arrival Arron Mosby and Benton Cox Jr. need to make an impact this week.
DB Carrington Valentine is zooming, drawing Christian Watson in early 1 on 1 showdowns on Family Night. Behind Jaire and Rasul, he’s jumped into the total secondary package conversation. Corey Ballentine subbed in for Alexander unfortunately on Watson’s 2 minute TD, but he’s also earning first team looks on many special teams. That will factor in the safety battle between Jonathan Owens, Tarvarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt and Benny Sapp III, who had the biggest hit last Saturday night.
Specialists The punting battle has been joined, Pat O’Donnell has a challenge with Daniel Whelan and the long snapper job between Matt Orzech and Broughton Hatcher is TBD after a high one cost Anders Carlson a perfect night.
Nearly all of the key starters four weeks hence are pretty clear on both sides of the ball, it’s time to find out who’ll be with ’em three weeks from today.
