Packers: Reviewing the roster midway through preseason
Safeties
The safety group is another one lacking quality depth and an injury to one of the starters could really cause some major issues on the defense. Honestly, this group is one of the weakest position groups on the team, if not the absolute weakest. I would not be surprised at all to see the Packers add a veteran FA safety to this group, such as Eric Reid.
More from Lombardi Ave
- Packers: Picks in NFL.com mock draft would be a home run
- Packers salary cap update following second week of free agency
- Packers’ cornerback depth chart after second week of free agency
- Packers’ edge rusher depth chart after second week of free agency
- Packers’ tackle depth chart after second week of free agency
All throughout camp, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Kentrell Brice have been the starting two safeties. Clinton-Dix is on his fifth-year option of his contract and needs to rebound and have a huge year in order for the Packers to want to re-sign him. Unfortunately, he struggled quite a bit last season and his play has not been trending in the right direction. Under a new defensive coordinator we could see a much-needed emergence from Clinton-Dix. He will be relied on heavily to be a leader on this defense.
To me, Brice does not seem like the answer at safety. He is a very physical, hard-hitting player, but he struggles in coverage and makes too many mistakes.
Many people were hoping to see a much-improved Josh Jones in his second season with the Packers, but so far Jones does not look like he has improved much. He is similar to Brice, they are both hard-hitters and can play physically, but they both struggle in coverage. Jones needs to pick up his game in the last two preseason games and show he deserves time on the field during the regular season.
Also at safety for the Packers are Marwin Evans, Jermaine Whitehead and Raven Greene.
Evans and Whitehead both spent time on the field last season, but are nothing more than backup options at a very thin position. Since the safety group is so thin, I believe both Evans and Whitehead will make the 53-man roster. Whitehead holds a little more value due to his versatility, as he is used at safety and up in the slot.
I highly doubt Greene makes the roster, he may end up on the practice squad though, especially with the weakness at safety for this defense.
Needless to say, the defense must improve in order for this team to reach the Super Bowl again. If this defense can create more turnovers, get after the quarterback, and finish within the top 15 in the NFL this season, this should be a Super Bowl caliber team.