The Green Bay Packers will go into training camp without major question marks on who will or will not make the 53-man roster. While there are surprises every summer, and the roster composition depends on fluid numbers at each position, the Packers have precious few roster spots that truly look up for grabs entering training camp.
These four position battles will almost certainly decide roster spots this summer:
Interior offensive line
Battle: Jacob Monk vs. Donovan Jennings vs. John Williams
All three have been cross trained to play center and guard. With fifth-round pick Jager Burton already impressing, the Packers probably don’t need more than one other dual center-guard option — likely leaving one reserve roster spot up for grabs between Monk, Jennings and Williams. Monk played well at center in the regular season finale in Minnesota, while Williams missed his entire rookie season with a back injury.
Nose tackle
Battle: Nazir Stackhouse vs. Jonathan Ford
Stackhouse and Ford are redundant players, especially with third-round pick Chris McClellan and veteran addition Javon Hargrave capable of playing snaps on the nose. The winner of this position battle likely gets the sixth roster spot along the interior defensive line. While the Packers kept Stackhouse on the 53 all of last season, Ford is the more experienced NFL player.
Linebacker (for special teams)
Battle: Nick Niemann vs. Kristian Welch
The top four at linebacker looks set in stone, but the Packers spent money to bring back Niemann and Welch this offseason, likely setting up a summer roster battle. Both are veteran special teamers. Who does new special teams coordinator Cam Achord prefer? Niemann got $500,000 guaranteed, compared to only $10,000 for Welch, so the money points in an obvious direction.
Kicker
Battle: Trey Smack vs. Lucas Havrisik
Smack, as the hand-picked draft pick, is the obvious favorite. But you just never know what’s going to happen in a kicking battle, and Smack is already going through the ups and downs of a young kicker. Even if Smack’s inconsistency continues, Havrisik would need an excellent summer to win the job.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 4 position battles likely to decide roster spots for Packers at camp
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Zach Kruse, Packers Wire | USA TODAY Network
