Green Bay Packers 2023 Training Camp Preview
The 2023 NFL Season is upon us, and the Green Bay Packers will have a brand new face behind center with plenty of offensive personnel changes entering training camp. Jordan Love will finally have command of the huddle with Aaron Rodgers‘ departure to the New York Jets, where he took wideouts Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb with him. The Packers, who had a disappointing 2022 season, are expected to have a great defense, but can their offense hold up to help potentially push a playoff spot?
Only time will tell, but without further ado, let’s hop into the Packers’ training camp preview heading into the 2023 season!
Three Position Battles to Watch:
Right Tackle: Zach Tom v. Yosuah Nijman
In the end, there might not be too much competition between Njiman and Tom for the starting right tackle spot. Tom did finish the 2022 season at right tackle after Nijman suffered a shoulder injury in Week 16, but could possibly kick into center, arguably the weakest point of the Green Bay offensive line after Josh Myers had a disastrous season there. But the right tackle spot is still up for grabs, but I would label Nijman the favorite heading into the new season with still some competition to be had.
EDGE: Lukas Van Ness v. Kingsley Enagbare
Rashan Gary tore his ACL in Week 9 against the Lions last year and might not be back until the middle of the season, leaving an open EDGE spot opposite of Preston Smith. Van Ness, who they selected in the first round, could be a viable option to garner first-team reps, though Enagbare, a second-year defensive end who played in all 17 games last year, could too. Enagbore finished with 31 tackles, five for loss with three sacks and three pass breakups as a rookie, where he played in 45 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. I wouldn’t worry about both not being in the pass-rushing rotation to start, but I’m interested to see who emerges out of the Pack (no pun intended).
Strong Safety: Jonathan Owens v. Rudy Ford
Assuming Darnell Savage begins the season at free safety–and not Adrian Amos, who signed with the New York Jets–the two most likely candidates for the strong safety are Owens and Ford, who played in nearly 43 percent of the team’s defensive snaps a year ago. Owens comes over from Houston, where he spent four seasons. He started all 17 games last year, tallying 125 tackles with four pass breakups and one sack. He’s the more experienced option, so I’m assuming he’ll get No. 1 reps, but it will be up for grabs as Green Bay looks to re-work the back end of its secondary yet again.
Ready To Breakout: Jordan Love
After two years as a backup, Love will now be Rodgers’ heir apparent. No pressure, right?
But in all seriousness, Love has massive shoes to fill, even though the (initial) expectations won’t be as high with Green Bay coming off an eight-win season with plenty of personnel overhaul. In a very limited sample, the 24-year-old has flashed a strong arm, even though the accuracy isn’t always pinpoint. He’s spent two seasons learning Matt LaFleur’s offensive system behind one of the best quarterbacks of our generation, but now will have full control of the offense entering year three.
Love’s thrown for 606 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games and will be playing with rather inexperienced weapons at the skill positions, other than Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, who will undoubtedly take pressure off Love in the ground game. But I think Rodgers’ departure makes Love the de-facto, yet obvious breakout candidate in 2023, even though I could also go with Christian Watson, who had a very strong second half of the season.
Rookie To Watch: Jayden Reed
I could go with either rookie tight ends in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, who could be in line to replace Robert Tonyan. But I’m going to go with Reed, a viable candidate to replace Randall Cobb in the slot. He was a big playmaker at Michigan State and had enough speed to be a threat out of the slot flanked by Doubs and Watson. Reed might not get starter’s reps at the beginning of the season, but he’s one rookie I’m keeping an eye on — outside of Lukas Van Ness — to make an impact. After all, the receiving corps is going to have plenty of new contributions, so don’t be surprised if Reed shows out.
Fantasy Sleeper: Romeo Doubs
Watson is expected to get most of the attention on the outside, so I’ll roll with Doubs, who’s also entering his sophomore season in the NFL. Doubs was the fourth-most productive receiver for Green Bay as a rookie, hauling in 42 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns. Their most productive — Allen Lazard — followed Rodgers to the Big Apple, with only Watson finishing with more yards and touchdowns than his counterpart.
Doubs and Love are reportedly building a good rapport in OTAs and I can see that carrying over into the regular season. I don’t expect a 1,000-yard season from Doubs, but he can very easily finish with at least 700-plus receiving yards and three-to-four touchdowns, though I’ll be curious to see how productive Green Bay’s offense is from week to week.
What are your thoughts regarding the Green Bay Packers entering training camp? Let us know in the comments below!
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