The Green Bay Packers had several rookies win starting jobs last season. Which new additions to the roster could replace veterans this year?
First-round pick Quay Walker was an instant starter as a rookie, starting 16 games. Second-round pick Christian Watson started 11 of the 14 games he played and he enters the new season as the Packers' top wide receiver.
Day 3 picks Romeo Doubs and Kingsley Enagbare each started seven games in year one.
The Packers drafted 13 players this offseason, so at least a few are likely to win starting jobs in the coming months. Which Packers veterans are at risk of losing their spot in the starting lineup?
DT T.J. Slaton
T.J. Slaton is projected to start at nose tackle this season. The departure of Jarran Reed and Dean Lowry creates an opening along the defensive line for the Packers. Slaton starting at nose tackle will allow Kenny Clark to impact the game more.
However, Slaton is unproven in a full-time role and he will face competition from rookie Colby Wooden for snaps.
While Wooden is likely to play at defensive end, not nose tackle, Clark can move to nose tackle when Slaton isn't on the field. If the Packers feel their best starting defensive line includes Wooden, it may mean Slaton misses out.
Second-year Devonte Wyatt should see an increase in snaps. The Packers' top two will likely be Clark and Wyatt. When they start with three defensive linemen, it comes down to Slaton and Wooden.
EDGE Preston Smith
Preston Smith consistently provides steady play at edge rusher for the Packers. He has started 62 of 65 games over four seasons, making 33.5 sacks and 71 quarterback hits.
Smith should make the Packers' Week 1 starting lineup. Rashan Gary is still recovering from a torn ACL and his status for the season opener remains uncertain. Even if Gary is back by then, Smith will likely start ahead of rookie Lukas Van Ness.
But for how long?
The Packers' first-round pick is off to an impressive start on the practice field. Of course, that doesn't count for much. Until Van Ness proves himself at training camp and when the regular season begins, it's Smith's job.
But Van Ness is athletic, powerful, and has Pro Bowl potential. If he makes a fast start in the regular season, it may only be a matter of time before he is pushing for a starting job in Joe Barry's defense. Van Ness's ability to play inside is another way to get more snaps, but if he outplays Smith, at some point the Packers will need to make a change.
Van Ness and Gary is the Packers' future starting combination. Can Van Ness overtake Smith on the depth chart this season?
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.