Five Takeaways From Packers’ Unofficial Depth Chart

The Green Bay Packers have released their unofficial depth chart. Here are five key takeaways based on the practice field reality.

Author:
Bill Huber
Publish date:
Aug 8, 2023 9:55 AM EDT

In this story:

Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers released their unofficial training camp depth chart. Here are five takeaways.

Zach Tom Listed as Starter

The big battle on the offensive line is at right tackle. With 11 starts last year, Yosh Nijman is the incumbent but it’s Zach Tom who’s listed as the starter. That was the case at Monday’s practice, when Tom took all but a couple of the first-team reps.

“Last year, they had me playing everything,” Tom said recently. “I think this year just being able to focus on right tackle, makes a pretty big difference because the footwork is consistent. It’s helping me out a little.”

The coaches love to say the best five linemen will start. Here’s what it might boil down to: Are the Packers better with Tom at right tackle and Josh Myers at center or with Nijman at right tackle and Tom at center? Based on how they’ve lined up for a big chunk of camp, it will be Tom at right tackle, Myers at center and Nijman as the swing tackle.

Samori Toure Listed as Starter

Second-year player Samori Toure is listed as the starter in the slot ahead of rookie Jayden Reed. However, Reed has made more plays during training camp and probably has taken more first-team reps, as well.

“Jayden’s been doing great,” quarterback Jordan Love, who threw two touchdown passes to Reed on Monday, said last week. “I think he’s really coming along. The biggest thing is just consistency, finding that consistency in routes and different looks he might be getting. He’s playing really fast right now, he’s running some really good routes. You can see he’s got speed. We’re able to get him the edge, get the ball in his hands on some jet sweeps. It’s just finding ways to use him to the best of his ability. I think he’s playing at a really high level right now.”

Jonathan Owens Not Listed as Starter

The big disconnect between the unofficial depth chart and reality is at safety. On Family Night as well as Monday, former Houston Texans starter Jonathan Owens got the majority of the first-team reps alongside Darnell Savage.

The battle isn’t close to complete, though. Rudy Ford, who is listed as the starter, and Tarvarius Moore have gotten first-team reps, as well. The ability to tackle, starting with Friday’s preseason opener in Cincinnati, might be the key.

“Got to stay consistent, keep working, not get complacent,” Owens said after Monday’s practice. “We don’t ever know. The coaches control that. They could rotate us however they want. Just staying consistent, making plays when they’re presented to you in practice, joint practice, preseason game. Just have to keep going. This is just one step in it. I’ve been on the other side of it, so I’m just trying to work hard, keep rolling.”

Packers Acknowledge Josiah Deguara’s Reality

Finally, the Packers have acknowledged Josiah Deguara’s real position. While the roster lists him as a tight end, the truth is Deguara is much of a fullback. And that’s where he’s listed on the depth chart – the starting fullback ahead of undrafted rookie Henry Pearson.

At 6-foot-2, Deguara’s game is not built around his ability to line up in-line like a traditional tight end. Rather, it’s his ability to line up across the formation – sometimes as a lead-blocking fullback, sometimes as a wing and other times in the slot – that makes him valuable. Last year, according to Pro Football Focus, he played 82 snaps in the slot, 78 snaps in the backfield, 77 as an in-line tight end and 21 as a receiver.