Next year the Packers are a reported 22 million over the likely cap number. In cases where everything is equal, the cheaper guy probably wins the roster spot. And at least this year, since vaccinated and unvaccinated players are being treated differently, the vaccinated player could win the roster spot. So training camp starts now, and we can get to some real football.

On offense, three players start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. They are OT David Bakhtari, TE Josh Deguara, and RB Patrick Taylor. At quarterback something has finally happened and the drama is over. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have ironed out their differences and Rodgers has shown up for camp - so much for the fake speculation that dominated the off season. It turns out that Rodgers just wants to be involved in decisions that affect his ability to do his job. Rodgers is on a "pitch" count. So QB Jordan Love, the backup, is getting some meaningful snaps. And he is doing well. The third string guy for now is QB Kurt Benkert. QB Blake Bortles and QB Jake Dolegala have been released. At running back, RB Aaron Jones and RB AJ Dillion are the 1-2 punch - as I keep saying. Observers say that RB Kylin Hill is explosive in his cut backs and can handle most passes thrown his way. I haven't heard anything about RB Dexter Williams. At wide receiver, your best fantasy options are WR Davante Adams and WR Marques Valdes-Scantling - assuming his growth continues. Also getting training camp mentions are WR Amari Rodgers, WR Allen Lazard, WR Juwann Winfree, WR Bailey Gaither, and WR Equanimeous St. Brown. The Packers also have WR Devin Funchess, WR Malik Taylor, WR Reggie Begelton, and WR Chris Blair. The Packers have traded for WR Randall Cobb. I find it difficult to see how he fits into this offense. He isn't as strong Amari Rodgers, or as good of a blocker as Scantling or Lazard. It makes sense if he is tasked with getting WR Amari Rodgers ready to go as soon as possible. Amari is close with Cobb in college via Cobb's college coach, and their relationship has continued to this day. If that is the case Cobb won't be a fantasy option. And if there are injuries, he can catch passes too. At tight end, the best fantasy option is TE Robert Tonyan. TE Mercedes Lewis will do his usual good blocking. And I expect TE Dominique Dafney to be a dependable spot player. TE Jace Sternberger is doing well catching TD passes so far in camp. But every time he shows progress, the injury bug awakens to derail him. TE Isaac Nauta and TE Bronson Kaufusi will have a tougher time making the roster. The offensive line is going to be just fine. The Packers signed OT Dennis Kelley as insurance against further injury. He was available because of the COVID contraction in the salary cap and had to be cut by the Texans. He is a good right tackle. OG Simon Stepaniak has decided to retire for now. He has been trying to recover from a leg injury for over a year. Everything else is going well on the line.

On defense, the Packers have a chance of being very good. It will depend on the continued growth of the players individually, and how well they play together. Both parts are important. This year training camp starts with ILB Ray Wilborn on the Reserve COVID list. The following start camp on the Non Football Injury (NFI) list; DL Kingsley Keke, OLB Za'Darius Smith, OLB Tipa Galeai, ILB Isaiah McDuffie, CB Kevin King, S Henry Black, and S Will Redmond. On the line, DL Kenny Clark, DL Dean Lowry, and DL TJ Slaton will make the team barring injury. DL Tyler Lancaster should make the team. DL Jack Heflin and DL Willington Previlon could make the team. We need a lot more detail here and we won't get it until the pads go on. At outside linebacker, Smith and OLB Rashan Gary are locks to make the roster. OLB Preston OLB Jonathan Garvin has the inside track for the fourth spot. But one of OLB Delontae Scott, or OLB Randy Ramsey could surprise, but that remains to be seen. Undrafted free agent OLB Carlo Kemp of Michigan came to the Packers as a defensive lineman but is being tried at linebacker. At inside linebacker, ILB Kyrs Barnes, ILB Kamal Martin, and ILB De'Vondre Campbell are locks to make the roster. Barnes has lost some weight and says things make a lot more sense this year. ILB Ty Summers intercepted one of Love's passes and it would have been a pick-6. Bothe Summers and ILB Owen Burks are good special teams players, but that alone may not be enough to make the team. We will find out about ILB De'Jon Harris. At cornerback, CB Jaira Alexander and King appear to be the starters. CB Eric Stokes gets a chance if King has issues. CB Chandon Sullivan is the nickel corner. And CB Shemar Jean-Charles, CB Josh Jackson, CB KaDar Hollman, CB Stanford Samuels, and CB Kabion Ento are competing for depth and special team slots. At safety, S Adrian Amos and S Darnell Savage are the starters. S Vernon Scott has done good things at times and will compete for depth. S Christian Uphoff and S Innis Gaines are intriguing prospects and will try to unseat someone. This could be a good fantasy defense, but the players and coaching will have to make it happen.

Your best Packer fantasy options continue to be; QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Aaron Jones/RB AJ Dillion, TE Robert Tonyan, WR Davante Adams/WR Marques Valdes-Scantling, and K Mason Crosby. I doubt that anyone can unseat a place kicker who just set a Packer record for accuracy. Now if the Packers would just let me listen in on the player decisions they make - I can dream can't I? There are three preseason games this year. I like most fans can't wait to see the players in action. I will return in a couple weeks to discuss the results. See you then.

End.