Packers training camp already has already passed the one week mark. Some of the prevalent questions entering training camp have yet to be answered. Who will start at wide receiver? How will special teams look? While we have no clear answers, there are some clear impressions that have been made which can help answer these questions.
Romeo Doubs
Rookie fourth round pick Romeo Doubs has been the talk of camp. He has flashed in nearly practice, making highlight catches and showing steady hands on special teams. While it was clear that he has talent, few could have predicted that he would acclimate this quickly to the Packers offense and begin to develop a chemistry with Aaron Rodgers so quickly. Beyond the fact that the wide receiver room is ripe with opportunities, it’s an incredible development with fellow rookie Christian Watson on the PUP recovering from surgery.
The next step for Doubs is to begin to show what he can do in Family Night this Friday and the preseason games. Can he take the work on the practice field and demonstrate the same ability in a game setting? Time will tell, but if so, he will be set up for a major role in 2022.
Rashan Gary
It appears that we are witnessing the ascension of Rashan Gary to the level of elite pass rusher. Entering his fourth year in the league, Gary has entered camp with a bang. It seems like every other play of camp, he’s in the backfield. It’s lucky for Rodgers and Love that he can’t hit them, or they would being having a long first week.
A force like him at edge this season, coupled with an effective partner in Preston Smith will be a primary reason the Packers defense will ascend to the ranks of the elite this year. Consistent pressure from the edge, coupled with a deep and talented secondary is a disaster waiting to happen for opposing quarterbacks.
Dallin Leavitt
An unheralded signing by Brian Gutekunst on July 25th, Dallin Leavitt has inserted himself into consideration for the third safety position as well as a core special teamer. The past two years he’s played extensively under new special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, so he knows what is expected of him. As such, he’s quickly became a core component at practice on his units. That much was expected. What wasn’t was Leavitt getting first team snaps at safety just a few days into camp.
Established depth between starters Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage is pretty much non-existent. Leavitt can quickly establish himself in the room, earning a role quickly on defense. This coupled with his special teams roles, will make him a roster lock pretty quickly as they progress through training camp.
Jordan is a lifelong Packer fan who grew up in Idaho and now lives in Seattle, Washington. You can follow him on twitter at @jordantwolf.
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