Random Insomnia, so I'm gonna do some minicamp summarizing, as I have seen it.
I actually think between the interviews (especially Rodgers'), the tweets, the lineup info, etc, we actually learned a TON about where the depth chart and team stand on things
right now. Obviously, that doesn't mean it's where it will end up and there's plenty of time, but this was a pretty comprehensive understanding of how the team is treating things that before we had to speculate or were in the dark. Now the speculation lies mostly on who/where there will be the most room for change between now and the start of the season.
Here are some of my take-aways:
Wide Receivers
If I had to sketch out a depth chart based on what I've read and heard and seen, it would look something like this:
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It seems apparent from the team activities and from Rodgers' comments that the WR group really breaks into 3 groups. Four guys are almost exclusively with the 1s (well, 3 at minicamp plus Lazard)--Watkins, Cobb, Winfree, and Lazard. Then another three guys are rotating between first and second teams--Amari, Watson, and Doubs. Leaving the rest--Malik Taylor, Samori Toure, and Danny Davis, with the 2nd/3rd team and fighting for a roster spot. I have not heard a single thing about Malik Taylor,. I searched and found a tweet that listed him (last, incidentally) among guys taking returner reps. Another where he was mentioned because he's standing next to some other guys in a picture. I guess that's better than hearing mostly bad things (Danny Davis), but it's not a great start to a spring in which his old peer Winfree has been a mainstay with the first team units.
Offensive Line
We actually got a lot of insight here. Again, if I had to make a depth chart, it would look something like this:
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With Hansen and Newman rotating in and out with the ones (Newman at RG/RT with the 1s; Hansen at RG when Newman kicks to OT and #2C otherwise), it appears Hansen is the top interior backup at this moment. But with Tom playing all three interior positions with the 2nd/3rd team, there's competition in there. Cole Van Lanen looks to be the backup swing tackle to Nijman, which is both an elevation for him from last year, and a precarious roster spot if Bakh returns healthy. I haven't read or seen anything indicating that Rhyan is doing anything but RG.
I'd estimate that the RT job competition is primarily, at this moment, between Nijman and Newman, even though Van Lanen also gets reps with the 1s. CVL's reps come when Nijman is at LT and Newman is at RG. He feels like the third choice to me. Maybe this year's Benjamin Braden.
Secondary Pecking Order
An area of offseason intrigue, this feels more clear-cut (again, at this moment in time) than I expected.
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Nixon has been the clear CB4 and Gafford and SJC are battling at CB5 and CB6, seemingly ahead of Ento at the moment, and definitely ahead of Kieondre Thomas, though that guy has made some ST noise. Texada feels like the longest shot.
Speaking of STs....
Gunners
The top names I keep seeing are:
Winfree
Gafford
Nixon
Toure
Thomas
Jean-Charles
Gafford's name has come up a lot related to STs, which may be why his name comes up a lot in the secondary, but maybe he's showing out in both respects. Thomas has had a couple of notable reps as a gunner, but isn't getting anywhere close to the quality of defensive reps as Nixon and even Gafford, so it's tough to count on him making the roster. Toure probably needs to win a Gunner/Jammer job to make the roster unless there's an injury at WR. The Jammers seem to be the reserve safeties early, Scott and Gaines, but their results have sounded pretty mixed. Worth noting that Amos and Douglas have flashed in some punt team capacities, as well; getting some starters involved.
Other Nuggets
- I love hearing they had a few reps where Gary bumped inside and Quay lined up at the edge. It's a look, not a position switch, but that's the sort of versatility these big, high-level athletes are supposed to give us. Walker was a plus blitzer at UGA.
- Our starting defense, either in nickel or base, looks like it will have EIGHT 1st round picks on it if Wyatt wins a job: Gary, Wyatt, Clark, Preston, Walker, Alexander, Stokes, Savage. Non-first round picks include All Pro DeVondre Campbell and steady high-caliber Adrian Amos. The 11th spot is likely either a 3rd DL like Slaton, Dean, or Reed or a 5th DB like 2020 Pro Bowler Rasul. Insane Talent.
- Looks like plenty of multiple TE sets and some multiple RB sets for the first team offense. In team drills, Deguara, Davis, and Lewis all caught balls from top QBs, indicating they're all getting starter reps.
- Rodgers openly, explicitly said he prefers guys with production not potential and to temper expectations for rookie receivers. That's the sort of thing we know from historical anecdotes, but it was still impactful to hear him say so directly. Maybe it'll put a chip on the young shoulders
- Rodgers also said that his contract is year-to-year, regardless of the numbers, and that he will contemplate retirement (without dragging it out) after each season. The "definitely" made the headlines, but this was equally noteworthy
