Packers Depth Chart: The Interesting Parts

The Packers like Nick McDonald.

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.