Training camp is quickly approaching, where the Green Bay Packers' most highly anticipated positional battles will resume, surprise standouts will fight for roster spots, and starting jobs will be won and lost.
We've already learned a few things about this year's team after the offseason workout program. It's early, of course, and nothing should be taken too seriously before the pads come on in August, but the spring practices provided some insight.
Some Packers saw their stock plummet, which cranks up the pressure when they report for camp. For others, though, a successful spring can be used as a springboard to a big season. A few standout performers gave plenty of reason for optimism during OTAs and minicamp. Let's dive in.
The three Packers players who built a ton of momentum before training camp
Jager Burton, C
It felt like the Packers had landed a draft-day steal from the moment Jager Burton's name was announced in Round 5. It also felt like a warning sign for Sean Rhyan, whose grip on the starting center job might not be as secure as it seemed after he signed a contract extension in March.
Burton adds three-position versatility, having played at every interior spot during his time in Kentucky. His best work came last season at center, and he showed encouraging signs throughout the offseason program. Burton's name repeatedly came up as a player who turned heads.
There are parallels to when the Packers drafted Corey Linsley in the fifth round over a decade ago. Burton's stock is soaring.
Javon Bullard, S
Javon Bullard enjoyed a significant second-year jump in 2025, finding a home as the Packers' primary slot corner. The early indications suggest he could reach an even higher level this season.
If you followed along with the practice updates from beat writers during OTAs and minicamp, you'll have noticed Bullard's name kept coming up.
"Bullard remains everywhere," Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day Podcast wrote during a practice. "PBU in team vs Jayden Reed that deflects up but Zaire just couldn't get there for the pick."
Bullard was flying around the field and making plays at seemingly every practice, including an impressive leaping interception.
The Packers will have competition at outside corner, but Bullard has the nickel spot locked down. He could reach new heights this fall. With Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams behind him at safety, Green Bay's secondary is quietly in good shape, assuming one of the players on the boundary steps up.
Lukas Van Ness, Edge
With Micah Parsons potentially out for around half of the regular season, the Packers need another pass-rusher to step up. It won't be Rashan Gary, who the Packers traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
It has to be Van Ness. The good news is that no Packers player outperformed Van Ness during OTAs and minicamp. He was the standout player.
Yes, it's only offseason workouts. Van Ness still has everything to prove. But dominating at spring practices is better than not dominating at spring practices, and the arrival of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon offers hope. Gannon has an impressive track record of helping edge defenders reach career-bests in sacks.
Van Ness only played nine games last season due to injury, registering a career-low 1.5 sacks. However, according to Pro Football Focus, he set new career-bests in pressures, hurries, and QB hits. Even if the sacks weren't there consistently, Van Ness generated more pressure.
The hope is that Gannon can help Van Ness turn that potential into serious production.
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