Green Bay Packers Safety Position Battle One to Watch

Entering the 2023 season with a variety of question marks on their roster, the Packers safety position might be the most intriguing . After electing to not resign Adrian Amos, the Packers are looking for a new starter to pair with Darnell Savage Jr.

There are a number of candidates who could compete for the starting job, including Jonathan Owens, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, and Anthony Johnson Jr. Owens is the most experienced of the group, having started all 17 games for the Houston Texans last season. He is a physical safety who is good against the run and can also make plays in coverage. Ford is a solid all-around safety who is also excellent on special teams. Moore is a former third-round pick who has had some injury issues in his career, but he still has the potential to be a very good player. Johnson is a rookie with a lot of potential, but he is just beginning the journey to master the position.

It is still far too early to say who will win the starting job, but it should be an interesting battle to watch. All of the candidates have something to offer, and it will be up to the Packers’ coaching staff to decide who gives them the best chance to win.

Jonathan Owens

As mentioned earlier, Owens is the most experienced of the group, having started all 17 games for the Houston Texans last season. He is a physical safety who is good against the run and can also make plays in coverage. He is a reliable tackler and is not afraid to lay the big hit. He is also good at reading the quarterback but has limited overall playmaking ability (1 INT in his career). Owens is a solid safety who could be a good fit for the Packers if he can quickly learn the defense.

Rudy Ford

Ford is an all-around safety who is also a core special teamer. He is an excellent tackler and is not afraid to hit. However, he tends to be manipulated by quarterbacks and can get himself out of position. Nevertheless, his familiarity with the defense gives him a leg up in the competition at safety. Ford is a good option on the roster regardless of the safety battle, due to his special teams prowess.

Tarvarius Moore

Moore is a former third-round pick who has had some injury issues in his career, but he has the potential to be a very good player. He is a plus athlete with good speed and range. He is also an effective tackler and can make plays in coverage. Moore is a player to watch in training camp and the preseason. If he can stay healthy, he could quickly become a factor in the starting safety competition.

Anthony Johnson Jr.

Johnson, one of the Packers 7^th round picks in the 2023 draft, is a young player with a lot of potential. He is still learning the position, having only played one-year full time at Safety in his final year at Iowa State. He boasts an impressive athletic profile, especially his short area quickness and nearly 38 inch vertical. He, like many rookies, is an inconsistent tackler but has the look of a playmaker at the position. Johnson is a player to watch in training camp and the preseason. If he can learn the playbook quickly and show out during preseason, he could find himself at the center of the starting safety competition.