Training camp is full of stories. Every year, there are surprise standouts who seemingly come out of nowhere to make a strong case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
It's defensive lineman Anthony Campbell and defensive back Johnathan Baldwin for the Green Bay Packers this summer.
Blink, and you'll miss Campbell batting down a pass. He is making a notable play at every practice and is the Packers' biggest surprise at training camp so far. Baldwin is quickly earning the coaching staff's trust, and he may have carved out a role as a backup safety and the No. 2 slot corner behind Javon Bullard.
Needless to say, both players deservedly make their way into our latest Packers 53-man roster prediction.
The first week of Green Bay Packers training camp has shaken up our 53-man roster prediction
Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor
No introduction needed. No analysis needed. The real competition is for a spot on the practice squad. Kyle McCord is the frontrunner there. Barring something dramatic, the Packers will enter the regular season with Jordan Love and Tyrod Taylor as their only quarterbacks on the 53.
Running backs (3): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks
Chris Brooks' injury status is worth monitoring. He has spent the first week of training camp on the PUP list. In the meantime, Pierre Strong Jr. has made the most of his opportunity and is making a case for a roster spot. Something to watch.
Wide receivers (6): Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore, Bo Melton
Christian Watson and Matthew Golden have been two of the standout performers for the Packers at training camp. So, too, has undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant, who just misses out on a spot here.
Skyy Moore has the inside track to a roster spot with his special-teams ability, and the Packers love Bo Melton. He stepped up in the first padded practice on Monday, which is enough to hold off the competition from Sturdivant for now. Melton has the experience advantage and is a core special-teamer.
Sturdivant is one to watch, though, especially once the preseason gets underway.
Tight ends (3): Tucker Kraft, Josh Whyle, Luke Lachey (if healthy)
PUP: Luke Musgrave
The good news? Tucker Kraft is off the PUP list and on track to play in Week 1. The bad news? Just about every other tight end on the roster has gone down with an injury.
Luke Musgrave remains on the PUP list due to a neck injury, and it sounds like we won't see him for a while. The Packers are understandably being cautious.
According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, Luke Lachey was on a scooter with "his left leg propped up in a walking boot" after Monday's practice. RJ Maryland is also sidelined with a hamstring injury. Don't be surprised if the Packers add a veteran at the position, especially if Lachey's injury is a long-term concern.
Offensive line (10): Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Zach Bako-Bewele, Darian Kinnard, Jager Burton, Jacob Monk, Travis Glover, John Williams
There are concerns about the offensive line this season, but Week 1 of training camp has offered some positives.
Jordan Morgan is quietly looking comfortable at left tackle. Right tackle Zach Tom, who is now known as Zach Bako-Bewele after legally changing his name, has returned from injury and is easing his way back into a full-time role. Jacob Monk has looked solid after getting some first-team reps, too.
Morgan's impressive start to training camp is significant. If he can give the Packers an upgrade at left tackle, it'll go a long way for a unit that fell well short of expectations last season.
Defensive line (6): Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Chris McClellan, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Anthony Campbell
Devonte Wyatt is being eased back into action after recovering from a broken fibula and torn ligaments in his ankle, while Javon Hargrave is still on the PUP list.
But in their absence, Anthony Campbell has stepped up in a big way. By Matt Schneidman's count, Campbell has batted down four passes in the past three practices. He has also looked solid against the run, and even chased down Tyrod Taylor during Monday's padded practice. There's a long way to go, but Campbell is becoming undeniable after the first padded practice.
Edge-rushers (5): Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Collin Oliver
PUP: Micah Parsons
Lukas Van Ness can't do it alone. He has made a good start to camp. The rest of the group has shown occasional flashes, but the pass rush has struggled to make an impact without Micah Parsons out there.
Fourth-round rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton might have something to say about that. Bill Huber of Packers On SI named him the player of the day during Monday's padded practice. He had been relatively quiet before then, but making an impact when the pads go on is one way to catch the coaching staff's attention.
"Early in practice, he had a tackle for loss against MarShawn Lloyd. Later, he met running back Jaden Nixon in the backfield and tossed him aside like yesterday's news," writes Huber. "A moment later, he struck again with another TFL, this time against Damien Martinez."
The Packers need their fourth-round pick to build on this momentum.
Linebackers (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann
Veteran Zaire Franklin has made an immediate impact, both for his ability on the field and the leadership he adds to the locker room. Franklin is already looking like a quality addition as Quay Walker's replacement.
Cornerbacks (5): Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Brandon Cisse, Domani Jackson
Brandon Cisse, CB2? We are quickly moving in that direction.
The Packers' second-round pick has spent most of the week with the first-team defense, initially while Keisean Nixon missed practice due to a hamstring injury, and now with Carrington Valentine sidelined with a hamstring issue of his own. And Cisse is making the most of it.
He has looked comfortable in coverage and is notably keeping free-agent addition Benjamin St-Juste out of the starting lineup. Cisse has made a fast start.
Safeties (5): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo, Johnathan Baldwin II
Johnathan Baldwin II is the second surprise standout alongside Anthony Campbell. Baldwin seems to have become the clear No. 2 slot corner behind Javon Bullard.
Baldwin is listed as a safety but has looked comfortable playing nickel. He intercepted Tyrod Taylor during Thursday's practice and continues to impress whenever he gets an opportunity. His versatility will only help his case.
Specialists (3): Trey Smack, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech
The Packers opted against giving Trey Smack a 50/50 competition at training camp after releasing veteran Lucas Havrisik. It hasn't worked to this point. Per Matt Schneidman, Smack has converted just eight of 13 field goals at camp so far, adding to a concerning trend from the offseason workouts.
Brian Gutekunst may need to rethink his plan at kicker.
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