A few quick updates on the Green Bay Packers’ rookies through five training camps: Defensive backs Javon Bullard and Evan Williams have impressed with their retention and versatility, while first-round pick Jordan Morgan is starting to feel more comfortable at linebacker.
Coach Matt LaFleur said he was impressed with the mental skills of both Bullard, a second-round draft pick, and Williams, a fourth-round draft pick.
“I’m really excited about both of those guys,” LaFleur said Sunday. “Obviously, they have the skill set, but the mental ability of both of those guys is to be able to take what they learned in OTAs and come back and continue to build on that day in and day out. I thought that was super impressive. They’re versatile enough, we can rotate safety, so you don’t know who’s going to be where. It’s such a competitive situation.”
Both Bullard and Williams have intercepted the ball in training camp. On Saturday, Bullard ran a brief route and threw what could have been a pick-six. Both rookies have a chance to play alongside Xavier McKinney as the Packers try to find the best combinations for Jeff Hafley’s defense. Finally, fifth-round pick Kitan Oladapo will return from a toe injury and join the lineup, and 2023 seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. has a chance to play alongside McKinney.
LaFleur believes the competition will support the Packers find the best candidates at defensive quarterback, a position that could prove to be the most developed in the 2023 season.
On offense, the player selected by the Packers in the first round of the draft quickly found his place in the right position.
While Morgan practiced at the forward position during offseason workouts, the majority of his team’s training camp drills were at the defender position.
“He’s been mostly inside,” LaFleur said. “I think he’s starting to get more comfortable inside, but I think he’s talented enough that if we need to throw him outside, we can do that.”
Even though Morgan was a left quarterback in college, many believed he would be best suited as an inside quarterback during the draft.
The Packers have two returning starters at offensive line in Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom, although Tom hasn’t practiced in 11-on-11 as he recovers from an offseason pectoral injury. At inside linebacker, Morgan has seen opportunities to play in first-team reps, especially with Josh Myers (personal issue) and Elgton Jenkins (veteran’s rest day) missing a few early practices. It’s possible Morgan will see more opportunities at quarterback if the competition at right quarterback — where Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort have been rotating and Tom has been unavailable — doesn’t improve.
