4 Packers sleepers who could steal a key roster spot at training camp

Punting competition, anyone?

Pat O'Donnell provided stability at the position a year ago, but the Packers could go in a different direction this season. Green Bay signed 24-year-old Daniel Whelan in May. The Irish-born punter was named to the All-XFL team earlier this year, having averaged a healthy 45.6 yards per punt. He pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 11 times on 29 punts.

Whelan has plenty of power in his kicks. According to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated, he had 21 punts longer than 50 yards at UC-Davis.

While O'Donnell is a safer option and provides steady play at the position, the Packers could decide to bank on the potential of Whelan.

The salary cap is also a factor that needs to be considered. According to Over The Cap, O'Donnell has a cap hit of $2.38 million this season. The Packers would create $1.25 million in cap space if they released him. That may not sound like much, but every million saved can make a difference. Whelan's cap hit is just $750,000.

O'Donnell is the favorite to win the job this summer, but don't count out Whelan. There's a reason why the Packers signed him in May.