Five Things to Focus On As the Green Bay Packers Open OTAs This Week

The Green Bay Packers meet this week for OTAs as their offseason program continues. While the season is still more than three months off, there are important things happening in the coming weeks as the team prepares for training camp. Here are five things to focus on at Packers OTAs this week and what they mean for the team’s future:

Five Things to Focus On at Packers OTAs, Number Five: The Offensive Line Battle

The Packers always say they want the best five offensive linemen to start but who are the best five and where will they line up?

Will 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan beat out incumbent left tackle Rasheed Walker? If he doesn’t, will Morgan beat out right guard Sean Rhyan for that starting job?

Will Elgton Jenkins show up for mandatory OTAs and how will he fare at center if he does? If he isn’t there, who will play center?

How will Aaron Banks look in his first series of practices at left guard? Will Travis Glover and Jacob Monk take a step forward this year?

There are plenty of questions to be answered across the offensive line.

Number Four: What Will the Cornerback Situation Look Like?

The Packers have not settled the status of cornerback Jaire Alexander. That leaves a lot of unanswered questions at the cornerback position.

Who will start and where remains unanswered. Free agent acquisition Nate Hobbs will start somewhere but will it be on the boundary or in the slot? Where does Keisean Nixon play? He seems to have established himself on the boundary last season and wants to be the CB1, but is he good enough to fill that role? Can Carrington Valentine earn a starting job or is he the team’s top depth piece? Will Javon Bullard be the slot corner or will he return to safety?

If Alexander returns, all of these issues can change immediately, assuming he stays healthy. There are a lot of questions to answer at this position and much of it will hinge on Alexander’s future.

Five Things to Focus On at Packers OTAs, Number Three: Linebacker

We know Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker will be the first two starters but who will get the third starting job?

Incumbent Isaiah McDuffie signed a new contract and will fight for that spot. Ty’Ron Hopper hopes to take a step forward and earn more playing time. Where does free agent Isaiah Simmons, who is a hybrid safety/linebacker fit in? He’s made a good first impression on the coaching staff.

The third linebacker may not be on the field all that frequently, but he can play a role on the defense. Simmons or Hopper could also be used in specific blitz packages by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

Number Two: How Will the Draft Picks Look Early

Nearly every year at OTAs, one or more draft picks make a great early showing which often indicates they can make a bigger impact as rookies. The Packers hope they have a few rookies in this draft class who can help in their first season.

Obviously, they want top pick Matthew Golden to make an impact as soon as possible. Many of the day three picks will also be worth watching including fourth and fifth round picks, Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver who could impact the pass rush from the defensive line.

This is a big category to keep an eye on even if it is primarily a first impression.

Five Things to Focus On at Packers OTAs, Number One: Wide Receiver

The Packers have a lot of talent but a lot of uncertainty at wide receiver. We know Christian Watson won’t play for at least the first half of the coming season. We know the team wants rookies Golden and Savion Williams to step in and make an impact.

Jayden Reed remains the favorite to start in the slot. Will Romeo Doubs settle down and be more consistent this season? Will he be happier with his role in the offense? Can Dontayvion Wicks cut down on the drops and realize his potential in his third season? Does Mecole Hardman stick on the roster? Can Bo Melton and Malik Heath remain Packers or is there no room for them?

There are a lot of questions about who makes the team, who becomes a starter and what role each player will play.