The Green Bay Packers are coming off an impressive first season under quarterback Jordan Love’s command. After moving on from future hall-of-fame QB Aaron Rodgers, the Packers managed to put together a remarkable late-season run that came just four points shy of an NFC Championship appearance.
After an active offseason spending over 100 million dollars on free agents Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney alone along with all 11 draft picks signed from the 2024 draft. With minicamp and OTA’s finished, players look to gear up for training camp. Every year we get stories of breakout training camp performances, although there is no guarantee that it will translate to the field it gives an important insight into the depth and potential of a team.
With the young Green Bay Packers team looking to compete for playtime, the competition is the perfect ingredient to find how much particular players have grown in the offseason. However, after analyzing their potential and production, there are a few players to keep an eye on more closely than others.
#3 Lukas Van Ness: Green Bay Packers 1st Round Pick Looks To Make Sophomore Jump
The Green Bay Packers 2023 first-round pick fell at #13 where they took Iowa standout edge rusher Lukas Van Ness. In his very first game as a Green Bay Packer, he chased down the elusive Justin Fields for his first NFL sack. Despite the promising start, the rookie had some kinks to work out in his game, unable to find a sack for the next 10 games.
In week 12 Van Ness managed to bring down superstar QB Patrick Mahomes for his second of the year, and it appears this was exactly what he needed to catch his stride as he brought in another two sacks and 10 tackles to end the season. In the playoffs, Van Ness got a sack on Dak Prescott in the underdog win against the Dallas Cowboys. With the young physical specimen showing as many flashes as the Packers could have hoped in year one, the 6’5 270 edge rusher is looking to make a jump under Jeff Hafley.
Under Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 alignment, Van Ness will be afforded more opportunities to make plays on the quarterback with his hands in the dirt. This system is at home for Van Ness, as he played in the same scheme at Iowa. The 2023 first-round pick is primed to make big plays in the regular season and that starts in the offseason.
#2 Carrington Valentine: Can He Secure #2 Cornerback On The Depth Chart?
The Green Bay Packers acquired a standout Kentucky cornerback in the 2023 draft. Despite his seventh-round draft position, Valentine quickly found his way to the field, eventually motivating the Packers to trade away cornerback Rasul Douglas to simplify the corner depth chart. In his time as the #2 outside corner, he led the team in pass deflections (9).
Despite his strong rookie season, his starting spot is not confirmed. In 2021 the Green Bay Packers drafted cornerback Eric Stokes out of Georgia in the first round, after an impressive rookie year and continuous injuries, Stokes is looking to pick up where he began his career as a premier outside corner. For Valentine to secure his starting spot he will have to prove more consistency than the speedster Stokes, a competition likely to bring out the most out of the young cornerbacks.
When asked about Valentine, Packers head coach Matt Lafleur had high praise for the young cornerback.
“I think it’s been outstanding,” LaFleur said Tuesday. “That’s a guy that stands out, quite frankly, in my mind, in terms of, we challenged him to put on some weight after the regular season. He came back, and he definitely looks bigger, and is bigger. He’s stronger…I’m excited for him. I think he has a really bright future.”
With Lafleur on his side, we will likely hear Valentine’s name a few times through training camp as he fights for his spot on the outside of the defense.
#1 Dontayvion Wicks: Will He Emerge As An Elite Reciever For The Green Bay Packers
Another late-round pick for the Green Bay Packers emerged as a flashy playmaker for the offense in 2023, Dontayvion Wicks out of Virginia. The 6’1 205 receiver displayed uniquely polished and effective route-running throughout his season along with great hands and instincts. Wicks reeled in over 580 yards in just 39 catches, putting him among the top of the league in average yards per catch (14.9), including two catches and a touchdown in the NFC wildcard win against the Dallas Cowboys.
In a young and talented wide receiver corp including Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs, Wicks will not have an easy path to a consistent starting role. Though in 2023, Wicks had the highest rate of defeating single-man coverage in the NFL (55.13%), if Wicks can consistently show that ability to find open space he will leave the Packers no choice but to start the young rising star.
In training camp, Wicks will face matchups of Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, and Eric Stokes, talented corners looking to put him in his place. Once those battles are resolved, the Packers coaching staff will know where Wicks stands on the wide receiver depth chart.
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