Now, thanks to training camp, there is some new information. Plenty has happened, but I will focus on areas where camp battles exist. At the quarterback position – QB Jordan Love is the starter and has been getting better as camp progresses. He had a wonderful family night. And QB Danny Etling has been released after family night. So that leaves QB Sean Clifford and QB Alex McGough to battle it out for the back-up spot. Packer HC Matt LaFleur has indicated that a veteran backup probably won’t be coming. They are committed to developing Clifford. Perhaps the 49ers ordeal of last season is in the Packers mind. At running back – RB Aaron Jones and RB AJ Dillion are the starters – that is not open for debate. However, after that things get a little murky. RB Patrick Taylor is running with the ones on special teams and drawing rave reviews. RB Tyler Goodson at times is running with first string offense demonstrating his running ability, catching ability, and blocking ability. Meanwhile RB Lew Nichols is showing well in this offense, and FB Henry Pearson is getting reps (and doing well) at the H-back position with the starters. They are all doing well in their own way. All I know is that the Packers won’t keep 6 running backs – at least not on the active roster. Last month I forgot to mention that the Packer also has RB Emmanuel Wilson but who seems expendable at this time. At tight end, TE Josiah Deguara, TE Luke Musgrave, TE Tucker Kraft, and TE Tyler Davis are locks. That leaves TE Austin Allen. TE Camren McDonald has been released. Musgrave gets a lot of balls coming his way in camp, but Kraft was the family night star at tight end. At wide receiver, WR Christian Watson, WR Romeo Doubs, and WR Samori Toure are tier 1. WR Jaylen Reed, WR Dontayvion Wicks and WR Malik Heath appear to be tier 2. Nothing changed. Only WR Bo Melton seems to be making any noise among the others. On the offensive line, the starters could be; OT David Bakhtari, OG Elgton Jenkins, OC Josh Meyers, OG Jon Runyan, and OT Zach Tom. In a recent camp development, it now seems like there is a competition involving three players for two positions. Tom has been getting starting reps at center because Meyers is not as "consistent" as desired. Meanwhile, OT Yosh Nijam takes over at right tackle. Meyers probably has a good career at guard if he wants it. Also doing well in camp are; OT Royce Newman, OT Rasheed Walker, OT Caleb Jones, OG Sean Ryan, and OG Jake Hanson. Ryan had a miserable rookie year last year, but this year looks, sounds, and plays like I was expecting last year. Hanson has also improved over last year, but got injured. The point is the Packers have depth.

On the defensive line, DL Kenny Clark, DL TJ Slaton, DL Devonte Wyatt, DL Colby Wooden, and DL Karl Brooks have roster spots. Wooden and Brooks are being moved along the defensive line like rush linebackers. Slayton and Wyatt have been difficult to handle. Nothing much is being said about DL Jonathan Ford, DL Chris Slayton, DL Jason Lewan, or DL Antonio Moultrie. 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, S Tarq Carpenter, who is a very good special teams player is now catching on as an inside linebacker. He had 2 interceptions on Family night. It will be interesting to see how this turns out. At outside linebacker it looks like OLB Preston Smith, OLB Rashan Gary, OLB Kingsley Enagbare, OLB Lukas Van Ness, and OLB Justin Hollins all have roster spots. LB Brenton Cox appears to have a chance. OLB Keshawn Banks appears to have no chance. OLB Jonathan Garvin and OLB La’Darius Hamilton have been released. LB Kenneth Odumegwu is an international player assigned to Green Bay and does count against the roster. At cornerback, CB Jaira Alexander, CB Rasul Douglas, CB Eric Stokes, CB Keisean Nixon, CB Carrington Valentine, and perhaps CB Corey Ballentine have roster spots. That leaves CB Tyrell Ford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, CB Kiondre Thomas, and CB William Hooper to compete for roster spots. Thomas has intercepted a couple passes – outside of that there is no drama. 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, S Dailin Leavitt and S Anthony Johnson appear to be the next tier. That leaves S Tarvarius Moore, S Jonathan Owens, and S Benny Sapp to compete for remaining roster spots. Savage has been the constant with the first string. Ford, Gaines, and Owens have been given chances alongside Savage. But no one outside of the coaching staff knows who is ahead of whom.

On special teams, PK Anders Carlson will win the kicking job. It is amazing the detail the Packers have allowed to go out of training camp about him this year. Carlson started training camp making 16 field goals on 27 attempts – a 59.2% average. That would normally be enough to show any place kicker the door. However, all of his missed kicks have been wide right on days when the wind is blowing from left to right. In other words, once he learns to compensate for the wind, most of those will be good. He has also made one from 60 yards out that had enough distance to be good from 70 yards out – then came family night. In front of 65,000 screaming fans Carlson made 8 of 9 attempts (88.9%) and boosted his training camp score to 24 of 36 (66.7%). The one he missed was because of botched snap. He has the leg – no question about that. Although not a fantasy concern there has been some stiff competition at long snapper and punter too. The GM has mentioned that he did not intend replacing those two positions over what they got in free agency at LS and what they had at punter. Next time, be careful how you populate your roster. J

Conclusion: I would draft QB Jordan Love, RB Aaron Jones, WR Christian Watson, WR Romeo Doubs, and perhaps TE Luke Musgrave and K Anders Carlson. If you’re not sure about Love draft him as a number 2 guy. Watson first and Doubs second will be main targets. If the MLF offense runs as much as it passes the ball, Jones should be a no brainer. I want to see the defense in a regular season game before I say they are any good – I feel like it is dejavu all over again with them – or improve the run defense – take your pick. The next report will occur before one of my wife’s regularly scheduled vacations. After that it will be a little spotty. I am sure more answers will emerge as camp continues.

End.