I waited until after the OTAs and Packer mini-camp to write this report. It is hard to tell how players will do once the pads come on and hitting is allowed. What we can learn is how well players are picking things up and what the coaches have to say – especially since not all the practices are open to the media. I will take this position by position.

At the quarterback position – QB Jordan Love is the starter. For the time being QB Danny Etling is the backup. However, QB Sean Clifford is opening some eyes. One of the Packer writers has said that Clifford is having the best spring of any rookie quarterback in his 11 years with the team. Then HC Matt LaFleur indicated how quickly he is picking everything up and how well he is performing on the field. Etling for his part has been under three HOF quarterbacks and played well in preseason last year. So stay tuned. At running back – RB Aaron Jones and RB AJ Dillion are the starters. It is not clear how the pieces fit together this year. RB Patrick Taylor and RB Tyler Goodson appear to be the primary backups. Goodson is getting very good reviews from teammates. I don’t know where this leaves rookie RB Lew Nichols. And there is no further clarity how FB Henry Pearson might be used. At tight end, the ones apparently are getting most of the snaps are; TE Josiah Deguara, rookie TE Luke Musgrave, and rookie TE Tucker Kraft. I don’t know where that leaves TE Tyler Davis, TE Austin Allen, or rookie TE Camren McDonald. At wide receiver, WR Christian Watson, WR Romeo Doubs, and WR Samori Toure, have been getting a lot of mentions about how they have grown physically and in the knowledge of the offense. WR Jaylen Reed showed off his athletic ability. He is getting snaps from the slot position. Two others have impressed. They are rookie WR Dontayvion Wicks and undrafted free agent rookie WR Malik Heath. Rookie WR Grant DuBose has an undisclosed injury and hasn’t practiced – he does appear in photos on the sidelines though. I have heard of nothing about undrafted free agent rookie WR Duce Watts. I did see him in a video catch a pass – so he has been practicing. I don’t know where that leaves WR Bo Melton, and WR Jeff Cotton. Both have been practicing but not much is said. Next is the offensive line group. If I had to guess the starters (left to right) would be; OT David Bakhtari, OG Elgton Jenkins, OC Josh Meyers, OG Jon Runyan, and OT Zach Tom. If Tom doesn’t start then OT Yosh Nijam will. Tom might be better off the bench since he plays all line positions as demonstrated as a rookie last year. OT Caleb Jones has been getting significant work at left tackle too. The Packers have depth and were rated the #3 offensive line in the NFL last season despite having to use several different combinations of starters in the first half of the year because of injuries. No problems here.

On the defensive line it looks like DL Kenny Clark, DL TJ Slaton, DL Devonte Wyatt, DL Jonathan Ford, DL Chris Slayton, DL Colby Wooden, and DL Karl Brooks could all stick. But that might be two too many. At inside linebacker no question that ILB De’Vondre Campbell and ILB Quay Walker will start. ILB Isaiah McDuffie and ILB Eric Wilson appear to be the backups. However, they are trying to find a spot for S Tarq Carpenter at line backer. Carpenter is a very good special team’s player. There is no report on how that transition is going or how LB Jimmy Phillips is doing. At outside linebacker it looks like these have opening day roster spots; OLB Preston Smith, OLB Kingsley Enagbare, OLB Lukas Van Ness, and OLB Justin Hollins. OLB Rashan Gary will have a roster spot when his ACL heals. LB Brenton Cox has made some waves at OTAs. But the coaches say he needs to be more consistent. I don’t know where that leaves OLB Jonathan Garvin and OLB La’Darius Hamilton. And I haven’t heard a thing about rookie LB Keshawn Banks. At cornerback, CB Jaira Alexander and CB Rasul Douglas have been in the building but haven’t played much – perhaps so other players can get some reps. CB Eric Stokes is still recovering from his ACL injury. There is no question that CB Keisean Nixon and CB Corey Ballentine will make the roster. And rookie CB Carrington Valentine has shown he can play as well. That leaves CB Shemar Jean-Charles, CB Kiondre Thomas, CB Tyrell Ford, and CB William Hooper. The Packers might keep between 6-8. That leaves four to compete for a spot or two. Finally, at safety whoever can play the best with S Darnell Savage probably starts. S Rudy Ford seems to have the inside track there. S Innis Gaines has done well so far. S Dailin Leavitt will get a roster spot because of how well he plays special teams. If early returns are any measure, S Tarvarius Moore and S Jonathan Owens will be strong additions on the back end too. S Anthony Johnson appears to be doing well so far. That leaves S James Wiggins, S Christian Morgan, and S Benny Sapp. I have no information on any of those three. On special teams, K Anders Carlson has shown the big leg. In the two days where the media was invited, he made all of his 12 kicks except for one from 41 yards out. He was supposed to be rock solid from inside the 45 yard line. Those beyond 50 yards he made. Observers say how fast the kick comes off foot. Maybe K Matt Crosby can file those retirement papers now. Conclusion: K Mason Crosby and TE Mercedes Lewis both remain unsigned. Crosby could be good non-roster insurance for the Packers. Lewis reportedly wants to play his 18^th year. For both, training camp and the associated injuries makes them about a month away from some employment opportunities. If it were my fantasy draft today, I would consider drafting QB Jordan Love, RB Aaron Jones – the offense will still go thru the running backs, WR Christian Watson and WR Romeo Doubs – they should get the majority of wide receiver passes. Perhaps start both Watson and draft Doubs. Time will tell how much impact Reed will have. In Green Bay, the jury always seems to be out on the tight end, kicker, and defense – and for me that hasn’t changed, although Musgrave has shown he can be a faster tight end who can catch.

Training camp starts July 26^th. There will be a lot to determine once the pads go on and real hitting can start. Maybe the season start won’t be too bad after all. Most thing the Packers will end with a losing record. All I can say is if Matt LaFleur can take this young team to the playoffs he better be in line for the COY award. Just my 2 cents worth ………

End.