3 Packers players who could lose their jobs to rookies in 2023

S Rudy Ford

Rudy Ford started six games for the Packers last season and is in pole position to win the job alongside Darnell Savage in 2023.

But Ford will face competition. Not only did the Packers sign Tarvarius Moore and Jonathan Owens, but they also drafted Anthony Johnson Jr. While Johnson was a seventh-round pick, he could start early in his career.

Lance Zierlen of NFL.com wrote: "Johnson's traits, versatility and toughness give him a chance to become a starting safety or nickel safety."

How quickly can Johnson make the adjustment to the NFL? That will determine how many snaps he plays in his rookie season. It's unlikely he will start at safety right away, even if he impresses during the summer, but that doesn't mean he can't win the job at some point later in the year.

Johnson is a former cornerback and you can tell when watching his coverage ability.

Ford might be leading the race for a starting job at safety, but it's a wide-open competition. Many projected Johnson to get drafted far earlier than the seventh round. He could be one of the steals of the draft.

Will he start in Week 1? Maybe not. But it won't be surprising if Johnson ends up starting next to Darnell Savage at some point this season.

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