Just like that, the Green Bay Packers' offseason program is effectively over.
The Packers wrapped up their mandatory minicamp on Thursday. Matt LaFleur has sent the veterans home, leaving the rookies to close out the remaining organized team activities next week.
While the Packers' summer story still has the biggest chapter to come once training camp opens next month, we've already learned a lot about this team. It's important never to put too much stock into June practices, for better or worse, but there were undoubtedly some winners and losers for the Packers.
Biggest winners and losers from Packers' mandatory minicamp
Winner: Lukas Van Ness
Green Bay desperately needs another pass-rusher to step up with Micah Parsons potentially not returning until Week 8 or later.
Lukas Van Ness needs to be among the contributors, and he's made exactly the start required this summer. Parsons has taken any opportunity to praise Van Ness, and the 2023 first-round pick is starting to repay some of that faith. Of course, it's only the offseason workout program, but it's encouraging nonetheless.
Van Ness stole the show during Tuesday's minicamp practice.
"The star of the day of practice was undoubtedly Van Ness, who was constantly blowing up plays in the backfield and producing tackles for loss, pressures and sacks," writes Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire.
The Packers showed their confidence in Van Ness by picking up his fifth-year option. This is the start to the summer they hoped to see.
Winner: MarShawn Lloyd
There's no doubting MarShawn Lloyd's potential. Jordan Love said this week that Lloyd's nickname is "Yeet Cannon." Lloyd can add so much explosiveness and home-run speed to the Packers' offense. He just needs to stay healthy.
And the early indications are encouraging. Lloyd has successfully navigated the offseason workout program. The Packers have taken a cautious approach, while working closely with Lloyd to try to find the cause of the various soft-tissue injuries that have derailed his previous two seasons.
So far, so good.
Winner: Tucker Kraft
Tucker Kraft's payday is coming sooner rather than later, and we should also see him back on the field relatively soon.
Kraft is still recovering from a torn ACL that ended his season last November, but he dropped a promising injury update this week. Not only does Kraft believe he'll be ready to go in Week 1, he doesn't expect to be on a pitch count. Needless to say, that would be huge news for the Packers' offense.
Winner: Jager Burton
On the topic of the Packers' offense, look out for rookie offensive lineman Jager Burton.
It felt like a draft-day steal when Green Bay landed Burton in the fifth round, and there was always a chance he could compete for snaps right away. That's exactly what we're seeing.
Burton has turned heads during OTAs and minicamp, showcasing the versatility to play at center and guard. He's already taken a ton of first-team reps, in part due to the reshuffling while Zach Tom is out. But he has made the most of those opportunities.
"I think every practice he gets a little more comfortable," LaFleur said, via Dominique Yates of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He's definitely going to be in the mix for playing time."
That puts Sean Rhyan and Anthony Belton on notice. Burton was among the best athletes in the entire draft class, and he is undoubtedly a player to watch closely when training camp begins in July. The Packers may have found a long-term starter.
Loser: Trey Smack
It has been a far rockier start to the summer for fellow rookie Trey Smack, who is in pole position to replace Brandon McManus.
Smack missed four kicks during an OTA practice last week, bounced back at the start of minicamp, but then missed a 35-yarder on Thursday, per ESPN's Rob Demovsky. The good news is that he immediately converted from 50 yards to make up for it, but he needs to overcome that turbulence to secure the job in September and beyond.
It mirrors his college production from last season. Smack had a better conversion percentage from 40-plus yards (83.3 percent) than from 30-39 yards (66.6 percent).
Smack undoubtedly has a big leg, but he has to find consistency.
Loser: Luke Musgrave
It's a make-or-break year for Luke Musgrave, who has just one season remaining on his rookie contract. Musgrave needs reps this summer and a chance to build momentum, but his minicamp was cut short due to injury.
According to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, Musgrave exited Tuesday's practice early. He missed the remaining two practices of minicamp. Hopefully, it's nothing serious and he can return in time for training camp, but it's a frustrating setback ahead of a crucial season for the 2023 second-round pick.
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