Green Bay Packers: 3 Things to watch for in Preseason Week 1

The NFL preseason is finally upon us. For the Green Bay Pacers, it’s been an interesting offseason, to say the least. What are three things to watch for in week one of the preseason?

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, we will finally be able to watch Green Bay Packers football in a matter of days. While the preseason technically doesn’t count, it’s a good chance for the coaching staff and hardcore fans to look at the backups the teams have. After all, for some players, it’s their only opportunity every year to take the field for in-game reps.

Many interesting storylines defined the Packers offseason. From trading for a backup quarterback, finessing the Saints out of a first-round draft pick and actually being active in NFL free agency, it wasn’t a stereotypical quiet offseason in Green Bay.

Now we finally get to watch the progress team has made. There will be a lot to watch for throughout the preseason, but here is what to watch for during Week 1.

Which QB will get more reps?

When the Packers traded for former Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer, it didn’t make a lot of sense at first. Especially when it was discovered that the Packers traded away their best cornerback to get him. However, Damarious Randall was described as a “Locker Room Cancer,” and the Packers are big fans of Kizer, so the trade does make sense now.

After the season Brett Hundley had when he replaced Aaron Rodgers, getting Kizer has created a rare quarterback competition at Packers training camp.

It will be interesting to see who wins out the backup quarterback position. Hundley has the experience in the Packers system while Kizer is well liked by many in the front office. Preseason game number one will be a good indicator of the current quarterback battle and who the coaches like so far.

How the Green Bay Packers will deal with the loss of Jake Ryan

Losing Jake Ryan for the 2018 season certainly hurts this defense that is looking to improve. He was quietly one of the best run stoppers in the NFL in 2017. His presence will certainly be missed because of the lack of depth with the linebackers at the moment.

Oren Burks, a third-round selection from Vanderbilt, is likely to replace Ryan’s spot on the roster. It’s a good thing the Packers went after him because the linebacking corps would be even thinner if not for Burks.

Burks can’t be on the field for 100 percent of snaps every game though, so finding a suitable backup for him will be necessary. The Packers could plug in safety Josh Jones for some nickel packages. It would allow Burks to get off the field, but this doesn’t help the longterm situation either.

Week 1 may have our answer for how the Packers will replace Ryan’s inside linebacker spot for 2018.

Which wide receivers will separate themselves

One of the most crowded position groups in Green Bay are the wide receivers. The team currently has 12 wide receivers listed on their roster. 11 are actually at camp after Michael Clark announced his retirement. Six receivers, at most, will make the 53-man roster in September.

The opening preseason matchup is the first opportunity for everyone in the group. Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, and Geronimo Allison are all locks. That leaves 2-3 spots for the remaining receivers to fight for.

The Packers drafted three rookies and it’s a chance those three, J’Mon Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling makes the cut. However, UW-Whitewater alum Jake Kumerow has turned heads so far in training camp.

If you’re looking for a longshot prospect to follow during training camp, Jake Kumerow may be your man. Keep an eye on him and the rest of the Packers wide receivers during the first preseason game in a few days.