3 Packers players winning their position battles in 2022 camp

Isaiah McDuffie – ILB4

Not too long ago, any competition at inside linebacker would’ve been for the starting job. The Packers haven’t had such great depth at the position in many years.

Unfortunately for second-year Isaiah McDuffie, there are no openings at the top of the depth chart, but he looks to have secured a spot on the 53-man roster as the Packers’ fourth inside linebacker.

All-Pro De’Vondre Campbell and first-round pick Quay Walker will start in Joe Barry’s defense, with Krys Barnes providing depth as the top backup option.

As things stand, McDuffie appears to be the clear leader in the competition for the ILB4 spot.

McDuffie was one of the Packers’ top performers in the preseason opener last week. He made a number of excellent plays in the middle of the defense, finishing the game with six tackles and one tackle for loss.

Opportunities won’t be there too often on defense in the regular season, but McDuffie can become a key contributor on special teams.

Before the summer, I didn’t give McDuffie much of a shot at making the roster. Ty Summers’ special teams ability seemed enough to give him the edge.

But McDuffie hasn’t just closed the gap, he has become the clear frontrunner to be the Packers’ ILB4 in 2022.