Training camp is about to start next week for the Packers. Nothing has happened with the Packers during the dead zone – until today. All the roster uncertainty is about to get some definition. So this will be a very brief baseline. At the quarterback position – QB Jordan Love is the starter. The backup spot is being contested between QB Danny Etling, QB Sean Clifford, and new comer QB Alex McGough – the quarterback of the USFL champions and USFL league MVP – they signed him today. At running back – RB Aaron Jones and RB AJ Dillion are the starters. RB Patrick Taylor, RB Tyler Goodson, RB Lew Nichols, and FB Henry Pearson are competing for backup positions. At tight end, TE Josiah Deguara, rookie TE Luke Musgrave, and rookie TE Tucker Kraft are locks. TE Tyler Davis, TE Austin Allen, or rookie TE Camren McDonald are competing for backup positions. At wide receiver, WR Christian Watson, WR Romeo Doubs, and WR Samori Toure are tier 1. WR Jaylen Reed, WR Dontayvion Wicks and WR Malik Heath appear to be tier 2. WR Grant DuBose, WR Duce Watts, WR Bo Melton, WR Jadakis Bonds, and WR Jeff Cotton are trying to make the roster. On the offensive line, the starters appear to be; OT David Bakhtari, OG Elgton Jenkins, OC Josh Meyers, OG Jon Runyan, and OT Zach Tom. If Tom doesn’t start then OT Yosh Nijam will. OT Royce Newman, OT Rasheed Walker, OT Caleb Jones, OT Luke Tenuta, OT Jean Delance, OG Sean Ryan, OG Jake Hanson, OG Chuck Filiaga, and OT Kadeem Telfort will all be competing for roster spots.

On the defensive line, DL Kenny Clark, DL TJ Slaton, DL Devonte Wyatt, DL Colby Wooden, and DL Karl Brooks have roster spots. DL Jonathan Ford, DL Chris Slayton, DL Jason Lewan, and DL Antonio Moultrie are competing for any remaining roster spots. At inside linebacker no question that ILB De’Vondre Campbell and ILB Quay Walker will start. ILB Isaiah McDuffie and ILB Eric Wilson appear to be the backups. However, a camp thing to watch is what happens with S Tarq Carpenter, who is a very good special team’s player. Then there is LB Jimmy Phillips. At outside linebacker it looks like OLB Preston Smith, OLB Kingsley Enagbare, OLB Lukas Van Ness, and OLB Justin Hollins all have roster spots. OLB Rashan Gary will return from injury at some point. Others competing for roster spots are; LB Brenton Cox, OLB Jonathan Garvin, OLB La’Darius Hamilton, and LB Kenneth Odumegwu. At cornerback, CB Jaira Alexander, CB Rasul Douglas, CB Eric Stokes, CB Keisean Nixon, CB Carrington Valentine, and perhaps CB Corey Ballentine have roster spots. That leaves CB Tyrell Ford, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, CB Kiondre Thomas, and CB William Hooper to compete for roster spots. Finally, at safety whoever can play the best with S Darnell Savage probably starts. S Rudy Ford seems to have the inside track there. S Innis Gaines, S Dailin Leavitt and S Anthony Johnson appear to be the next tier. That leaves S Tarvarius Moore, S Jonathan Owens, S James, and S Benny Sapp to compete for remaining roster spots.

On special teams, K Anders Carlson probably wins the kicking job.

Conclusion: I would consider drafting QB Jordan Love, RB Aaron Jones, WR Christian Watson, WR Romeo Doubs, and perhaps TE Luke Musgrave and K Anders Carlson. The next two reports will either confirm or deny all that we think we know – or some of it anyway. Until the next report, know the end (of the dead zone) is near.

End.