Green Bay Packers: Training Camp Roster Battles

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Oct 12, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) intercepts a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) in the second quarter of the game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cornerback

Options (9): Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Micah Hyde, Demetri Goodson, Tay Glover-Wright, Ladarious Gunter, Kyle Sebetic

2014 Roster (6): Sam Shields, Tramon Williams, Casey Hayward, Davon House, Jarrett Bush, Demetri Goodson

What to expect: Shields is the clear frontrunner for the No. 1 cornerback on this team. Hayward and Hyde are really the only other players that have proven their abilities on the football field and are also a near lock to return this year.

Williams and House both left the Packers in free agency and Bush is a free agent, unlikely to be resigned especially with his pending four-game suspension to start the season. Randall and Rollins were drafted, as you all know, earlier this year to fortify the cornerback position. Though Hayward is the favorite to start outside, either of the Packers’ first two draft picks can take the starting job. If that were to happen, Hayward would return to being the slot corner, the position where he has played best.

Again, Thompson may tinker with depth chart and final roster and may decide to keep six or even seven cornerbacks, all depending on how training camp turns out. This position is also reliant on the safeties and their development. Hyde is a player that has proven he can play both positions so he is certainly an excellent backup plan at either cornerback or safety. One thing to never forget, however, is that Thompson will never cut a potential talent, especially at a premium position such as cornerback.

It will be exciting to see who starts opposite Shields and how impactful Randall and Rollins can be in their first year. Every team in the league needs all the cornerbacks they can get, so the Packers need to be smart regarding who makes the team and who gets cut. It’s a true testament to a team’s talent, seeing how quickly players are signed elsewhere when they do not make the final roster.

Training camp, here we go!

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