Green Bay Packers linebacker Kingsley Enagbare (55) has had a terrific summer and should be the No. … [+]
Many of the proven commodities that filled the Green Bay Packers’ locker room the past several years are gone.
Instead, they’ve been replaced by younger, cheaper options as the Packers prepare for a transitional season.
With several unknowns, Green Bay’s final preseason game — a home contest against Seattle on Saturday at noon — takes on greater significance than most exhibition finales.
The Packers — who must set their 53-man roster by Tuesday at 3 p.m. — still have a handful of roster spots and even starting jobs up for grabs. And that means Green Bay will play many of its front-liners for a chunk of the first half against Seattle.
“I still think there’s a lot of battles and positions to be fought for, so we’re attacking it the same way we have up to this point,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I think everything’s important.
“Every rep these guys get — whether it’s on offense, whether it’s in one-on-one, whether it’s on we-fense — every rep these guys get is absolutely critical for them.”
As the Packers head into the homestretch of training camp, here are a few key positional battles that remain.
No. 3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
Analysis: The Packers have solid starters in Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, as well as one of the deepest units in the league. With Gary coming back from a torn ACL just 9 ½ months ago, though, there will be plenty of snaps right now for the third outside linebacker.
And the player who’s had the best summer is second-year man Kingsley Enagbare.
In last week’s game against New England, Enagbare had two sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Granted, it was against Patriots’ backups, but Enagbare has also been a presence on the practice field throughout camp.
“He’s had a really solid camp,” LaFleur said of Enagbare. “It’s always fun to watch the jump that some of these guys are able to make from Year 1 to Year 2 and hopefully can keep it going and continue to improve, but I really like what he’s been able to do throughout the course of this preseason.”
The emergence of Enagbare means rookie first round draft pick Lucas Van Ness may not get as many snaps — at least early in the year. Packer Nation shouldn’t fret, though. Remember, the same thing happened with Gary during his 2019 rookie year and he’s become one of the NFL’s elite rushers.
“I think we have, you know, we like to say BMFs,” Van Ness said of the outside linebacker room. “I’m sure you can figure out what that means, but we have a great room of guys. We have great energy, we attack the day. I think we’re physical, I think we get after the quarterback and I’m excited to see what we do this year.”
Winner: Enagbare
SAFETY
Analysis: Rudy Ford began the summer with the No. 1 defense, slipped as low as third string, and has been back with No. 1’s the past week.
Ford’s recent emergence means it’s likely he’ll win the starting job over free agent acquisitions Tarvarious Moore and Jonathan Owens, as well as rookie Anthony Johnson.
“I never lack confidence,” Ford said. “My goal is to play like I’m a starter. I am a starter. I don’t control the rotation and stuff like that, but as far as I’m when I’m in there, I just try to play my best, give my best to the team, the guys that I’m out there with try to communicate.
“Nobody’s perfect but, at the same time, when it comes down to that stuff, I don’t control the rotation. But my preparation, I’ve got goals and I’m going to live up to my goals.”
The Packers signed Ford one week before the 2022 season began, and according to PFF
PFF
Ford — who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds at his Auburn pro day in 2017 — played 442 snaps last year and had a career-high three interceptions.
“Rudy brings a different element because he’s, I mean, probably one of those more physical safeties right now honestly,” Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander said of Ford. “He came down and he filled a gap, he made a hit on (Ezekiel Elliot) probably about two weeks ago that I enjoyed. It’s always good to see a safety come up and putting his pads on somebody even in thud periods. I like Rudy. He’s super athletic, too.”
Assuming Ford starts alongside Savage, it’s unlikely the Packers keep both Moore and Owens. Considering Moore is the better special teams player, he’s more likely to make the Final 53.
Winner: Ford
NO. 3 RUNNING BACK
Analysis: Green Bay undrafted rookie free agent Emanuel Wilson leads the NFL in rushing yards this summer with 174. And while Wilson has flashed his skills as a runner, the most important thing for whoever backs up Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon is special teams production and pass protection.
“Yeah, we’ve got a lot of looks at him blocking,” LaFleur said of Wilson. “I just think that in terms of, it’s just can you get him enough of the pressure looks where it’s absolutely imperative of whether you’re tracking your man or whatever you’re doing within the scheme.”
Patrick Taylor and Tyler Goodson are battling for the No. 3 job, as well.
Taylor, who was undrafted in 2020, has been released by Green Bay four different times. He has 33 carries and one touchdown over the last two seasons, but has averaged a pedestrian 3.6 yards per rushing attempt.
By now, the Packers know who he is.
Goodson spent all of 2022 on the Packers’ practice squad and re-signed with Green Bay in January. Goodson injured his shoulder during the Packers’ preseason opener at Cincinnati, but returned to practice this week and might need a huge performance against Seattle to stick around.
Winner: Taylor
SLOT RECEIVER
Analysis: Rookie Jayden Reed has had a terrific camp and should get most of the snaps here when the Packers go to Chicago for Week 1.
Second-year man Samori Toure was in contention here at one point, but Reed left him in the dust.
“J-Reed’s been making a lot of plays out there, and he’s been picking up the offense fast in that slot position, and he’s making a lot of plays out there, a lot of great catches,” quarterback Jordan Love said of Reed. “He’s a really twitchy player. He finds ways to get open off the line, beat kinda that press.
“It’s just hard for DBs to stick with him. He’s got a lot of speed, and he’s playing fast right now. He’s knowing where he needs to be with his routes and he’s playing fast. He’s a smart player.”
Winner: Reed
KICKER
Analysis: It’s a pretty safe bet that rookie sixth-round draft pick Anders Carlson will be Green Bay’s Week 1 kicker.
The Packers love his leg, invested draft capital and believe he has a bright future. Green Bay is willing to suffer short-term pain for long-term gains.
There’s a tipping point for all players, though, and Carlson will be no different.
In practices and preseason games, to date, Carlson is 71-of-99 on field goals and extra points, a paltry 71.7%.
Chances remain that Green Bay stays committed to its rookie kicker. But a handful of successful kickers remain unsigned, including Packers’ all-time scoring leader Mason Crosby, Robbie Gould, Randy Bullock and Ryan Succop.
“Definitely some growth to go, but I think I’m where I need to be mentally and physically,” Carlson said after Thursday’s practice. “I think I can perform when I need to. I think practice, I need to clean up a little bit sometimes but I like where I’m at.”
Winner: Carlson