Packers rookies will have to earn their reps during offseason and training camp

A big part of the production of first- and second-year players for the Green Bay Packers last season happened simply because of opportunity. Wide receiver Jayden Reed, for example, broke the franchise's rookie reception record, but how many times has a young player had such a big role without veteran competition?

That being said, it doesn't mean rookies will come in and be given space from day 1. They have to earn the reps, earn their role, and that's part of the developmental process under head coach Matt LaFleur.

Outside of seventh-round quarterback Michael Pratt, every Packers draft pick in April was made of offensive linemen, linebackers, or defensive backs. But during the first week of practice in OTAs, all of these positions were filled by veterans with the first unit. And that's how it will work until the rookies show they can do better.

A significant aspect of this approach for LaFleur is that rookies have to learn how to practice first, and that's why the first week of OTAs has a slower pace, mostly with jog-throughs.

"I obviously wanna be mindful and make sure we're doing things the right way around here, but I think learning how to practice is part of the process," LaFleur said. "You got a lot of new guys in there and they gotta learn and we'll pick up the speed as we progress later throughout OTAs."

Offensive line

The Packers drafted three offensive linemen, including first-round pick Jordan Morgan. With Zach Tom sidelined with a torn pec, you could expect Morgan starting at right tackle. But LaFleur went with veteran Andre Dillard, signed in free agency during the week before the draft.

The primary formation had Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Sean Rhyan, and Andre Dillard. Morgan had some RT snaps with the ones, while undrafted rookie Donovan Jennings (at left guard) and fifth-round pick Jacob Monk (at center) played with the twos.

Linebackers

Second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper is expected to start alongside Quay Walker, but he will also have to show what he is capable of first. During OTAs, the Packers used more base defense than they probably will during the regular season, but even then Cooper didn't practice with the ones.

The starting lineup with three off-ball linebackers had Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, and veteran Eric Wilson, who's been primarily a special teamer since he joined the Packers in 2022. Both drafted rookies, Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper, worked with the twos.

Defensive backs

Another surprising approach happened in the secondary. The Packers drafted three safeties (Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo) and a cornerback (Kalen King), but neither of them started OTAs with the ones.

The starting cornerback opposite Jaire Alexander was Eric Stokes, which shows he might be ahead of Carrington Valentine. Keisean Nixon is the slot. Not a big surprise there, since Kalen King is a seventh-rounder.

The most curious decision was that last year's seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. started at free safety, allowing free agent addition Xavier McKinney to play as the strong safety with the ones, while all the rookies wait for opportunities.

Getting rookies among the starters from day 1 wouldn't be unprecedented for LaFleur — he did that with Josh Myers in 2021 and Luke Musgrave last season. However, getting the young players acclimated first is a natural step, and the rest of the offseason program will show how they are progressing.