The offseason is officially coming to an end, and the Green Bay Packers and the entire NFL will be starting their training camp in just over a week. Training camp is an exciting time because NFL fans know that real football is right around the corner. One of the more interesting topics to focus on every year is position battles that happen within training camp.
For the Packers, we know for the most part who will be starting in the 22 positions across the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but there are still some questions out there that need to be answered. One of those questions is position battles, and I feel there are some very interesting ones to watch ahead of camp.
Position Battle #1: Backup center
Unless someone in camp takes a major step, the Packers have their offensive line pretty much set in stone. When Week 1 rolls around, I believe we will be looking at a starting five of Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Sean Rhyan, Aaron Banks, and Anthony Belton. Behind those five, Darian Kinnard will most likely be the next man up, as he can play guard or tackle.
After that, I foresee our first real battle for the Green Bay Packers, that battle being for the backup center, and I think it really comes down to two men. One being fifth-round pick in this past draft Jager Burton and 2024 fifth-rounder Jacob Monk. Over the last two years, Monk hasn’t been able to find his way onto the field much.
Last season, he only received 57 snaps during the regular season after a very poor showing in the preseason, where he was penalized left and right and looked completely outmatched at times. To his credit, over the course of the 57 snaps, he did not allow a pressure, nor was he penalized.
Burton, on the other hand, has already received praise from both the front office and Head Coach Matt LaFleur. Burton has already shown promise during OTAs and rookie mini camp and is seen as a hard-nosed mauler, which is something this line is desperate for.
Prediction: Jager Burton wins the job. I think the coaching staff has already shown a lot of belief in him.
Position Battle #2: Backup running back
On paper, Josh Jacobs is set to be the starting RB for the Green Bay Packers unless his off-the-field issues keep him from joining the team, which by all accounts doesn’t look to be the case, but we are still awaiting the fallout from his arrest this spring. Jacobs has been a true bellcow RB since joining the league seven years ago, but Green Bay is a team that likes to rotate at the position regardless of who is there.
The Packers currently have four guys behind Jacobs looking to make the team, but I think it really comes down to two players for the backup RB slot. Those players are MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks. Lloyd is a former third-round pick heading into his third season in the NFL who has appeared in one regular-season game due to being riddled with injuries.
Lloyd is someone the team likes, but he needs to stay healthy if he wants to have a career in the NFL. Chris Brooks was a UDFA originally signing with the Dolphins before joining Green Bay in 2024. Where Brooks really shines is in the passing game as a blocker as well as catching passes out of the backfield.
Brooks is truly a fantastic blocker, as shown above, and that is something coach LaFleur values among his skill players, whether it’s a running back or Wide Receiver. That alone is what I feel can separate him from his peers.
Prediction: This might be a bit of a hot take, but I think Chris Brooks gets the nod in Week 1; however, Lloyd could overtake him later if he remains healthy.
Position Battle #3: Edge number two before Micah Parsons returns
This one here is going to be a big one. The Green Bay Packers will be expecting to start the season without Micah Parsons, and it’s unclear how long he will be out, but it seems certain it will be at least after Week 4. To make up for the All-Pro pass rusher, the team will have a collection of guys try to come close to replicating his production.
The first guy on the depth chart without question will be 2023 first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. I think it’s fair to say Van Ness has been a bit of a disappointment up to this point, with health being an issue for him as well. That being said, he did play some of the best football of his career in 2025 when he was healthy, posting a career-high Pro Football Focus grade of 75.5.
Behind Van Ness is where the real competition will happen, with two fourth-round picks in Barryn Sorrell and Dani Dennis-Sutton. Sorrell was drafted in 2025, and Sutton this past April. This is an intriguing battle because both of these guys are unproven but have talent. Sorrell has the edge with experience and has even been working out with Parsons this offseason and received praise from him. While Sutton, despite being a fourth-rounder, was considered by many to be a second-round talent and was seen as a bit of a “steal” in the draft.
Prediction: Barryn Sorrell lands the role Week 1, but is still used in a heavy rotation with Sutton as the season rolls along.
Position Battle #4: Wide receiver four
The Green Bay Packers will have a new-look WR room with the losses of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. The top three will certainly be the newly extended Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, while sophomore Mathew Golden will round out that group. The fourth guy on the chart is where the picture becomes a little less clear.
This is a battle that I think will come down to three guys: Savion Williams, Bo Melton, and Skyy Moore. Not only are these guys going to be fighting for the number four spot, but all three also offer value on special teams. Starting with Williams, he was a third-round selection in 2025 who possesses a good combination of speed and size, standing 6’4 220 pounds and posting a 4.4 40 time. He was mostly used as a gadget player and returned kicks as well, where he averaged over 25 yards per return.
Bo Melton has been with the team since 2023 and has been a bit of a utility player for Green Bay, whether that is playing WR, special teams, or even practicing at CB like he did last season. Melton thus far has shown he can be a guy to step up when called upon and can be a reliable hand.
The third player who I feel will be fighting for that spot is Skyy Moore, who was a former second-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite being a bit undersized, Moore has legit speed, running a 4.41 40-yard dash time. Unfortunately, Moore has not been able to earn consistent playing time as a WR thus far. Injuries and lack of production have derailed him; he’s never caught more than 22 passes or had more than 250 yards in a season.
Prediction: Savion Williams. I think there is too much invested in him, and he has the higher upside for the team not to give him the most opportunities.
Position Battle #5: Cornerback number two
The current cornerback room needs to play better if the team has any hopes of contending for a Super Bowl. Last season ended on the back of some abysmal play by the corners, including projected number one Keisean Nixon getting completely outplayed late in the game and giving up what would be the game-winning touchdown.
It seems Nixon will have the top spot locked up going into camp, but for the number two CB, we’re looking at Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St. Juste, and Brandon Cisse. Valentine was the opposite starter last season and struggled with inconsistencies after a promising first two seasons for the seventh-round selection. 2026 will be crucial for Valentine, as this is the last year of his rookie deal and he will be looking to cash in this offseason.
Moving to Benjamin St. Juste, who was brought in as a free agent this offseason. St. Juste is heading into his sixth year in the NFL and is coming off the back of what could be his best season as a pro. He was Pro Football Focus 11th ranked CB, posting a 76.3 overall grade and a league-leading 90.1 zone coverage grade.
It should be noted that St. Juste was not a starter last year but did still play in 16 games. He also lined up as more of a boundary corner with the Chargers after the Commanders tried playing him in the slot for his three years in Washington. A corner with his skillset and length is usually better suited on the outside, and I think the Green Bay Packers would be smart to play him there as well.
Rounding out this battle will be none other than second-round pick Brandon Cisse. Cisse was one of the youngest players in the draft this year, just turning 21 this month. I like Cisse and feel he will have a good chance to earn snaps right away in this room. He is a very smart player with good instincts and ball skills, while also being a solid tackler, which is something Green Bay desperately needs from this position.
Prediction: Benjamin St. Juste. I think he is the guy being a little bit slept on to win this spot. You can argue the continuity with Valentine would make sense or the upside of Cisse, but St. Juste is coming off a very good year that he will be looking to build upon.
The Green Bay Packers will certainly have their fair share of battles to watch during this upcoming training camp, but these are the ones that can truly make or break the team for 2026.
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