The Green Bay Packers are two games into a 17-game schedule and have a 1-1 record. Like most NFL teams, the Packers have ongoing position battles for playing time up and down their roster. While some of these battles get settled during training camp, others continue throughout the season. Here are the latest updates on five position battles the Packers have that are ongoing after two games.
Updates On Position Battles for the Packers After Two Games, Number Five: Linebacker
The linebacker situation remains unsettled after two games. Rookies Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper are more athletic and talented than veterans Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson, but the veterans are still seeing a lot of playing time.
Wilson has made plays when he’s been on the field, including an interception in Week 2 against the Colts. McDuffie has made 10 tackles total in two games while playing 94 percent of the defensive snaps but has not graded out well thus far.
Cooper has played 18 defensive snaps and has showed flashes of the athletic ability that made him a second-round pick. The Packers coaches are waiting for Cooper to be more consistent and confident in the defense. Hopper has only seen action on special teams thus far but showed potential in preseason.
It’s only a matter of time before Cooper and Hopper see more playing time on defense.
Number Four: Safety
Xavier McKinney established himself at one safety spot. He’s played well and has two interceptions in two games. Javon Bullard and Evan Williams have both seen playing time on defense thus far. The team has used some three safety formations at times to get them both on the field.
Thus far, Bullard has graded out highest when playing the run. He’s made 16 total tackles and has been on the field for 89 percent of the Packers defensive snaps.
Meanwhile, Williams saw his first action on defense in Week 2. He played 20 snaps and made his first career NFL interception to cinch the Packers win over the Colts.
Look for the Packers to get Williams on the field more often as he gets more comfortable in the defense.
Updates On Position Battles for the Packers After Two Games, Number Three: Right Guard
The right guard position may be resolved by injuries in the short term. Sean Rhyan and rookie first-round pick Jordan Morgan have been alternating series with Rhyan getting the first two starts.
Morgan has been on the field for 35 percent of the team’s offensive snaps over the first two games. However, he suffered a shoulder injury and missed the second half of the game against the Colts. Injuries also derailed Morgan for large portions of training camp and the preseason.
While Morgan has a higher ceiling than Rhyan and may already be better in pass protection, he won’t be able to take over as the starter until he’s healthy enough to play more frequently. The job is Rhyan’s, at least for the time being.
Number Two: Cornerback
While Jaire Alexander has one starting corner spot locked down, the other is a battle between Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes.
In Week 1, Stokes got the start and played 88 percent of the snaps. He played well against the Eagles and started again in Week 2 but was only on the field for 43 percent of the defensive plays.
However, after playing just nine defensive snaps in the season opener, Valentine was on the field for 32 snaps against the Colts. That was 57 percent of the Packers defensive plays.
This battle will likely continue over the course of the next few games to determine who will get more playing time. Matchups and the hot hand may determine play counts in the next few games.
Updates On Position Battles for the Packers After Two Games, Number One: Tight End
Before the season started, Luke Musgrave was expected to get the majority of the snaps at tight end although we were also expecting to see a healthy dose of Tucker Kraft. Thus far, it’s been Kraft who has been on the field more often than Musgrave.
Through two games, Musgrave has just one catch on three targets for six yards. He’s been on the field for just 48 total plays and saw more action against the Colts than he did against Philadelphia.
Kraft has received the majority of snaps thus far. He has four catches on five targets for 53 yards. The former South Dakota State star has played 88 percent of the team’s offensive plays over the first two games.
One reason for Kraft’s increased playing time may be that he is a more well-rounded player at this stage of his career. He has improved as a blocker over the offseason and graded out higher in that category than Musgrave. Kraft is also more of an outlet receiver. Both these factors were more valuable to head coach Matt LaFleur when the inexperienced Malik Willis was the starting quarterback instead of Jordan Love.
It will be interesting to see how the team breaks up the snaps over the rest of the season but expect both tight ends to see the field often this season.
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