The Green Bay Packers have released their first depth chart of the preseason.
With a veteran team like the Packers, not much of it comes as a surprise. However, it does offer some interesting insights.
Here’s a breakdown by position.
Receiver: Not much unexpected here, other than the fact Chastin West is essentially the No. 6 receiver ahead of [intlink id=”596″ type=”category”]Brett Swain[/intlink], who was the team’s No. 5 last season. Rookie [intlink id=”1616″ type=”category”]Randall Cobb[/intlink] is the No. 5 now.
Tackle: The backups are listed as [intlink id=”1037″ type=”category”]Marshall Newhouse[/intlink] on the left and Chris Campbell on the right. Campbell was an undrafted free agent last year. It’s interesting that [intlink id=”583″ type=”category”]T.J. Lang[/intlink] isn’t in the backup mix at tackle.
Guard: First-round pick [intlink id=”1613″ type=”category”]Derek Sherrod[/intlink] is the No. 1 left guard. Lang is the backup. [intlink id=”1071″ type=”category”]Nick McDonald[/intlink] is the backup at right guard.
Center: McDonald, who the Packers obviously like, is also the backup to Scott Wells.
Tight end: Surprisingly, [intlink id=”1036″ type=”category”]Andrew Quarless[/intlink] is the backup, followed by [intlink id=”1236″ type=”category”]Tom Crabtree [/intlink] and [intlink id=”1624″ type=”category”]D.J. Williams[/intlink].
Running back: [intlink id=”64″ type=”category”]Ryan Grant[/intlink] is still listed as No. 1, followed by [intlink id=”1038″ type=”category”]James Starks[/intlink]. Most interesting is [intlink id=”1280″ type=”category”]Dmitri Nance[/intlink] is third, ahead of No. 4, third-round pick, [intlink id=”1618″ type=”category”]Alex Green[/intlink]. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers keep four halfbacks this year.
Defensive end: [intlink id=”1033″ type=”category”]Mike Neal[/intlink] appears to be penciled in as the starter on the right side because [intlink id=”1042″ type=”category”]C.J. Wilson[/intlink] is listed as the No. 2 on the left side. The Packers may be grooming Wilson to take over for [intlink id=”252″ type=”category”]Ryan Pickett[/intlink], but they’ve more or less handed a starting spot to Neal.
Outside linebacker: [intlink id=”1335″ type=”category”]Erik Walden[/intlink] is No. 1 on the right. [intlink id=”1058″ type=”category”]Frank Zombo[/intlink] is No. 2. [intlink id=”443″ type=”category”]Brad Jones[/intlink] is listed as the No. 2 on the left side.
Inside linebacker: The backups are rookie [intlink id=”1626″ type=”category”]D.J. Smith[/intlink] and Robert Francois.
Cornerback: [intlink id=”157″ type=”category”]Pat Lee[/intlink] looks like he’s back in the mix. Lee would be the Packers No. 4 cornerback right now. [intlink id=”88″ type=”category”]Jarrett Bush[/intlink] would be No. 5. Rookie [intlink id=”1622″ type=”category”]Davon House[/intlink], despite some strong early play, is buried.
Safety: [intlink id=”1034″ type=”category”]Morgan Burnett[/intlink] seems to have reclaimed his starting spot from [intlink id=”525″ type=”category”]Charlie Peprah[/intlink].
Special teams: Cobb is the No. punt returner. Green and Cobb are the top two on kickoffs.
Here’s the full Packers’ depth chart.
| POS | FIRST | SECOND | THIRD | OTHER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Greg Jennings | James Jones | Randall Cobb | Brett Swain Diondre Borel Kerry Taylor |
| LT | Chad Clifton | Marshall Newhouse | Theo Sherman | |
| LG | Derek Sherrod | T.J. Lang | Adrian Battles | |
| C | Scott Wells | Nick McDonald | Evan Dietrich-Smith | Sampson Genus |
| RG | Josh Sitton | Nick McDonald | Caleb Schlauderaff | |
| RT | Bryan Bulaga | Chris Campbell | Ray Dominguez | |
| TE | Jermichael Finley | Andrew Quarless | Tom Crabtree | D.J. Williams Ryan Taylor Spencer Havner |
| WR | Donald Driver | Jordy Nelson | Chastin West | Tori Gurley Antonio Robinson Shaky Smithson |
| QB | Aaron Rodgers | Matt Flynn | Graham Harrell | |
| RB | Ryan Grant | James Starks | Dimitri Nance | Alex Green Brandon Saine |
| FB | John Kuhn | Quinn Johnson | Jon Hoese |
| POS | FIRST | SECOND | THIRD | OTHER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDE | Ryan Pickett | C.J. Wilson | Lawrence Guy | |
| NT | B.J. Raji | Howard Green | Jay Ross | Chris Donaldson |
| RDE | Mike Neal | Jarius Wynn | Eli Joseph | |
| LOLB | Clay Matthews | Brad Jones | Vic So’oto | Diyral Briggs |
| LILB | A.J. Hawk | Robert Francois | Cardia Jackson | K.C. Asiodu |
| RILB | Desmond Bishop | D.J. Smith | Elijah Joseph | |
| ROLB | Erik Walden | Frank Zombo | Ricky Elmore | Jamari Lattimore |
| LCB | Charles Woodson | Pat Lee | Jarrett Bush | Brandian Ross |
| RCB | Tramon Williams | Sam Shields | Josh Gordy | Davon House |
| SS | Morgan Burnett | Charlie Peprah | M.D. Jennings | Anthony Bratton |
| FS | Nick Collins | Anthony Levine | Brandon Underwood |
| POS | FIRST | SECOND | THIRD | OTHER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | Mason Crosby | Tim Masthay | ||
| P | Tim Masthay | Mason Crosby | ||
| H | Tim Masthay | Randall Cobb | ||
| PR | Randall Cobb | Shaky Smithson | Diondre Borel | Jordy Nelson |
| KR | Alex Green | Randall Cobb | Pat Lee | Sam Shields |
| LS | Brett Goode | Evan Dietrich-Smith |
I’ve read great things about Shaky Smithson. Where does he fall in the depth chart? Maybe practice squad???
Except for left guard the depth chart is based mostly on seniority.
Goooooo Shaky!
Might not be the best idea to have him on the roster, but god damn do I love me some Shaky.
The scariest injury (other than Rodgers of, course) Would be if Mike Neal or Ryan Pickett went down…no real depth there…but wow, look at that receiving corps. and that stable of running backs!
I am anxious to see Morgan Burnett, Mike Neal, Derek Sherrod and Randall Cobb in action! :)
I think Howard Green is an adequate back-up to Pickett. Like you said though, the Packers have a ton of depth, especially at WR, RB and in their secondary. 9/8 can’t come soon enough.