The Green Bay Packers are reportedly open to switching a starter’s position in the secondary ahead of the regular season. The Packers are using training camp to find a starting safety to play alongside Darnell Savage this year.
The Packers moved on from former team captain Adrian Amos this offseason. He, like several of his 2022 teammates, is with the New York Jets. Green Bay added Jonathan Owens in free agency, but neither he nor Rudy Ford is standing out in camp.
Rookie safety Anthony Johnson Jr., who the Packers selected in the seventh round of the draft this April, played well in his first preseason game Friday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Packers gave him reps with the first team this week.
The Green Bay Packers could switch Rasul Douglas to safety
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But head coach Matt LaFleur and his staff still appear unsatisfied with that position. According to Tom Silverstein with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, LaFleur said Wednesday, before the team’s joint practice with the New England Patriots, the Packers are considering switching cornerback Rasul Douglas to safety.
LaFleur said they are trying to find the best five in the secondary and said he hasn't ruled out moving CB Rasul Douglas to safety. He said it depends on how things pan out with the rest of the secondary.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) August 16, 2023
Douglas was listed as the Packers’ starting cornerback alongside Jaire Alexander in the depth chart released last week. That depth chart could change in a big way soon.
The Packers are blessed with cornerback depth. But they can’t say the same about safety.
Will Carrington Valentine be the Packers’ starter at cornerback?
Cornerback Carrington Valentine, also a seventh-round pick this year, is listed as the backup to Douglas at cornerback. He’s had an impressive training camp, intercepting a pass against the Bengals and finishing Monday’s practice with a pick-six.
According to Matt Schneidman with The Athletic, LaFleur said the team is considering giving Valentine more reps with the first team.
Matt LaFleur on getting rookie seventh-round CB Carrington Valentine into the starting lineup if he keeps playing like this:
“I think we definitely have to look at something … up to this point, he’s worthy of getting some snaps, for sure.” pic.twitter.com/i1mKwoGY5P
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 16, 2023
The Packers will have a chance to test their secondary against the Patriots during the team’s joint practices this week and Saturday’s preseason game. If Valentine has another impressive showing, the Packers might make some major shakeups to the roster next week.
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