Green Bay Packers Roster Battles To Watch
By Erik Lambert
Nov 17, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin (11) hauls in a 1st down catch in front of New York Giants cornerback Trumaine McBride (38) 2nd half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Things might seem fine on the surface across the Green Bay Packers roster, but there are still several areas to sort out before the regular season.
Wide Receiver: Jarrett Boykin vs. Davante Adams
Three draft picks will join the Green Bay Packers receiving corps as the off-season goes active for 2014 but the real attention will be on 2nd round pick Davante Adams. Viewed by many as a long-term replacement to James Jones, expectations are high for the Fresno State product. That’s of course assuming he can get back Jarrett Boykin on the depth chart. Last season in eight starts he amassed a solid 681 yards and three touchdowns. That should earn him first crack at getting on the field with cemented starters Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb. He can’t afford a letdown though with Adams at his back.
Center: J.C. Tretter vs. Corey Linsley
Perhaps no loss was felt by the Packers in free agency more than center Evan Dietrich-Smith. It creates a bothersome hole in the offensive line, a group that was serviceable but hardly excellent in 2013. Filling that gap is becoming a top priority. At present the top two options are reserve J.C. Tretter, a 4th round pick a year ago, and new addition Corey Linsley via the 5th round from this past draft. It should be a wide open competition that might not be decided until the preseason.
Inside Linebacker: Carl Bradford vs. Brad Jones
It has been a revolving door at inside linebacker next to A.J. Hawk for the past couple years for the Green Bay Packers. Settling that position down is a crucial part of rebuilding their defense. At present Brad Jones is their penciled in starter but his hold on the job is tenuous at best after missed four games last year with injury. His 84 tackles and three sacks though are enough to warrant another chance. His initial threat is rookie 4th round pick Carl Bradford, a tough, versatile and heady kid out of Arizona State who reminds many of former Patriots standout Brandon Spikes.