Minicamp has come and gone. As I discuss how various players did keep in mind 16 veterans were given the camp off. So the successes came against back up players for the most part. Also, like OTAs, this was a non-contact camp. So now we are in a holding pattern until training camp starts in about a month. In this report, I will mention injuries where applicable, touch on minicamp, and otherwise provide a pre-training camp status. Some things will become clear when the pads go on in training camp.

Offense: At the quarterback position with QB Aaron Rodgers gone – QB Brett Hundley and QB DeShone Kizer got most of the work. It appears both had their moments, but Kizer had more of them. QB Tim Boyle also did well enough. He has a strong arm and throws an accurate ball, now he has to learn the offense. It could be that Hundley is the odd man out. But more will be decided in training camp. For sure only Rodgers needs to be of concern to fantasy owners. At running back, Head Coach Mike McCarthy has revealed that the season will start with running back by committee. While that approach benefits the Packers it does nothing for a fantasy team. There is talk that RB Aaron Jones is ahead of RB Ty Montgomery for the starter role. But the bottom line is those two plus RB Jamaal Williams will get carries. This could help with durability issues and keeping the opposing team guessing. Now we learn that Jones is facing a two game suspension. Stats? We will see. At tight end, TE Jimmy Graham was given the camp off, so we got more of a chance to see TE Mercedes Lewis – but we know what he is too. TE Emmanuel Byrd perhaps was the surprise of the camp. He showed well making some nice plays. I did not read much about either TE Kevin Radar or TE Ryan Smith. At wide receiver, the one thing that is crystal clear is that WR Davante Adams and WR Randall Cobb are the top two receiving options. That said, Adams was nursing a hamstring injury and Cobb was wearing a walking boot. While it was clear it was for health reasons, what caused him to need the boot wasn’t clear and no one in Green Bay is talking. Also, the Packers indicated that Cobb would not be available to start training camp. For a fantasy team owner this is not good news. WR Geronimo Allison will be given a chance at the number three wide receiver slot. Most of the minicamp ink went to the three draft picks; WR Equanimeous St. Brown, WR J’mon Moore, and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Each had their time to shine scorching inexperienced defensive backs. Curiously, not much was heard from WR DeAngelo Yancey, WR Michael Clark, WR Trevor Davis, or WR Jake Kumerow. The one thing that needs to happen is for any three wide outs to get Rodgers confidence during training camp that are not named Adams or Cobb. The offensive line has some encouraging news. OG Justin McCray is being given the chance to be the right guard starter. The Packers also signed veteran OG Byron Bell for experienced depth. OT Jason Spriggs came in looking stronger and more polished technique wise. The improvement is stirring talk about replacing OT Bryan Bulaga at right tackle. Bulaga has had problems staying healthy the last couple of years. When Bulaga is healthy he is a very good player. Otherwise the rest of the starters remain the same and there are a lot of bodies to sort thru.

Defense: Hopefully the player excitement translates into production on the field. It is now clear that the Packers think the defensive line will be the primary source of a pass rush. This is interesting because if that is the case, then the line backers are free to play the pass coverage or stopping the run. This is a major change from the past. On the defensive line, there is no change from last month. The veterans include; DE Dean Lowry, DE Kenny Clark, DE Mike Daniels, and NT Muhammad Wilkerson. The Packers are counting on DT Montravius Adams becoming a major force. If he fails; DL Tyler Lancaster, DE Conor Sheehy, and DE James Looney, who each bring something a little different to the table, will look to take his spot. At inside linebacker, those guaranteed to make the roster and play key roles include LB Blake Martinez, LB Jake Ryan, and LB Owen Burks. LB CJ Johnson has gotten some mention – enough to make the roster? We will have to wait for the pads to go on. We will also have to wait to find out about LB Marcus Porter and LB Paris Bennett. At outside linebacker again, not much is different. LB Clay Matthews and LB Nick Perry are the starters. The Packers are clearly expecting LB Vice Biegle and LB Reggie Gilbert to step up and grab a roster spot. It seems Kyler Fackrell is the one on the bubble. If he doesn’t step up, it appears the primary beneficiary might be one or two of the three undrafted free agents - LB Kendall Donnerson (who is a draft pick), LB Naashon Hughes, and LB Greer Martini. No one is sure which it might be. None of this bodes well for LB Chris Odom or LB Ahmad Thomas. At cornerback the CB Kevin King, CB Josh Jackson, and CB Jaire Alexander movement has seemed to solidify in minicamp. For sure, the lack of experience together and at the NFL level will eat their lunch on occasion. But overall I expect it to be better. If they need veteran help along the way, CB Davon House and former Packer CB Tramon Williams will help. Nothing happened to separate others looking to make the team. These include; CB Lenzy Pickens, CB Quinten Rollins, CB Donatello Brown, CB Herb Waters, CB Demetri Goodson, and CB Josh Hawkins. Goodson, who I thought could pack his bags and leave, has shown well according to reports. At safety not much is being said. S Josh Jones and S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix are the starters. S Kentrell Brice, S Marwin Evans, and S Jermaine Whitehead are good bets to make the team. S Raven Greene is a undrafted free agent. I would want to see some preseason games when the first teams are playing each other to get an idea about this defense.

If I were a fantasy owner drafting today the following players would be of interest; QB Aaron Rodgers, TE Jimmy Graham, WR Davante Adams, and PK Mason Crosby. Injuries are already affecting who I list here. The next report will be when training camp is in progress. I will be back then.

End.