It’s (preseason) game week. On Friday, the Green Bay Packers are finally back on the field to play a game and, while it isn’t exactly meaningful for record purposes, it has real ramifications for the roster, especially fringe players, and possibly for the future of the franchise.
The Packers face the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Friday, 7:30 p.m. (CDT), and it’s an important step to build the initial 53-man roster. On August 16, the roster needs to be cut from 90 to 85 players, so the implications are obvious. Furthermore, there are position battles and depth questions to be analyzed.
Take a look at the five most important things to watch on Friday:
1) Jordan Love
Love didn’t have a preseason in his rookie season because of covid. Last season, he suffered a shoulder injury and played less than what was planned. Now, the Packers made a full commitment to see more from the 2020 first-round pick, and kept only three quarterbacks on the roster. This move indicates a clear path: Jordan Love will play extensively during the preseason, and it’s (hopefully, barring an Aaron Rodgers injury) the last chance the Packers will have to analyze Love’s development before making a decision regarding his fifth-year option a year from now. Moreover, it’s also a chance for Love to recoup some market value. If he plays well, it’s not impossible that a desperate team offers something significant enough to convince the Packers to trade Love and capitalize the return to maximize Rodgers’ window.
“I always think I have something to prove,” Love said on Monday. “That’s the NFL. I think everybody has something to prove when they get out there, just to have a reason why you’re there and why you should stay here. I definitely have something to prove and my goal is to show that in the preseason.”
Reports from training camp and interviews from head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst indicate Love has taken a step forward in his development. He still makes mistakes reading defenses, but he looks like a more decisive quarterback, in command of what happens on the field after struggling to do that in previous opportunities.
2) OL rotation
David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins are both on the physically unable to perform list and haven’t practiced yet during training camp. It’s absolutely valid now to have concerns regarding the offensive line which will face Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith for the Minnesota Vikings in week 1. Through training camp, Matt LaFleur, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich and offensive line coach Luke Butkus have tested different variations, and the only secured spots seem to be left guard (Jon Runyan) and center (Josh Myers). Yosh Nijman and Zach Tom have been tested on both sides of the line, while Royce Newman has been used in both positions on the right side, and Jack Hanson has practiced as right guard and backup center.
For now, the unofficial depth chart indicates the starting offensive line (in its version without Bakhtiari and Jenkins) will have Yosh Nijman – Jon Runyan – Josh Myers – Jake Hanson – Royce Newman. Those are not great news, especially because the decline in performance from the line was a big factor last season if compared to 2020 — plus, the line is the best chance for the Packers to alleviate the possible decline of the wide receiver room without Davante Adams.
3) Young receivers
Romeo Doubs has been the training camp sensation, and everyone talks about the new number 87. It’s going to be nice to see him perform against another team, in a (kind of) real game. But it’s also an opportunity to watch other young receivers. Seventh-round rookie Samori Toure was one the best players on Family Night, and it would be nice to see him keeping the development trajectory.
Amari Rodgers has also shown some signs of development, and it’s a good chance for him to show he can be a slot weapon behind Randall Cobb. Undrafted rookie Danny Davis has been promising, too, and fights for a practice squad spot. Juwann Winfree, Malik Taylor, Ishmael Hyman, and Osirus Mitchell should get extensive playing time as well.
4) Defensive depth
The Packers have a top-heavy defense. The starting lineup is primed to be one the best groups in the entire league, but there are legit concerns with backups for edge defenders, cornerbacks, and safeties. But Brian Gutekunst likes to see what he has first, so training camp and preseason are the perfect time for young players to step up and show the front office there is no need to add veteran free agents.
For the edge defenders, La’Darius Hamilton and Tipa Galeai have been the best ones behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith. They have a chance to solidify themselves as part of the plans moving forward. Rookie Kingsley Enagbare and Jonathan Garvin, who was the edge 3 last season, are the alternatives.
For cornerbacks, converted wide receiver Rico Gafford has been important on special teams — listed as the starting kick returner —, and now he could have a chance to be a defensive contributor as well. Shemar Jean-Charles, Keisean Nixon, Kabion Ento, Kiondre Thomas, and Donte Vaughn fight for the final roster spots too.
For safeties, Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos are the clear starters, but there isn’t much behind them. Shawn Davis looks like a guy who can be a third option in 3-safety formations, but Dallin Leavitt, Vernon Scott, and Innis Gaines are better suited to play the deep zones. Seventh-rounder Tariq Carpenter looks more like a special-teamer only.
5) Special teamers
Rich Bisaccia has had more voice over personnel than any other special teams coordinator in Packers recent memory. Dallin Leavitt and Keisean Nixon are examples of players who were brought in under Bisaccia’s blessing. The expectation is that, after numerous special teams failures over the years, the Packers are now willing to keep players specifically for special teams responsibilities, and the preseason is a good chance for some of them to show their value.
There are also some positional battles on special teams. Long snappers Jack Coco and Steven Wirtel fight for the starting job — as none of them have been that good, they also compete against every long snapper available or soon-to-be available around the NFL. With Mason Crosby injured, rookie Gabe Brkic will have his chance.
And there is also competition for the returning jobs: Amari Rodgers, Romeo Doubs, and Rico Gafford have split the duties, both for punts and kickoffs.
PHOTO: Samantha Madar/Green Bay Press Gazette -USA TODAY NETWORK
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Wendell Ferreira covers the Green Bay Packers for Zone Coverage and Cheesehead TV. He is a Brazilian journalist with over a decade of experience covering the NFL, soccer, NBA, and MMA. Follow him on twitter at @wendellfp