Packers' Projected Winners of Key Position Battles

The Green Bay Packers came into the 2022 preseason with a roster that's good enough to win the NFC North and pursue a Super Bowl. But that doesn't mean that every spot has clarity just yet.

With the loss of some key veterans as well as the addition of some new options through the draft and free agency, there are some roles that have been up for grabs throughout training camp and into the preseason.

The Packers still have two more preseason games to lock everything into place for Week 1. There's definitely enough evidence that the picture is starting to form, though.

Here's a look at the most key position battles and who appears to be in the lead right now based on training camp reports and the preseason game where applicable.

Wide Receiver

Romeo Doubs has been impressive in training camp. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Romeo Doubs runs a drill at the NFL football team's practice field Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

With Davante Adams gone, the Green Bay Packers receiver room has been one of the most scrutinized in the league. The Packers didn't use a first-round pick to address the position, haven't made any major trades or signed any of the big names that were on the market.

Instead, they made a series of smaller moves and appear to be headed toward a deeper rotation and more even distribution of targets without their star receiver.

Still, they'll need to figure out the hierarchy of receivers among their many options.

Allen Lazard has the most recent success and could serve as the de facto No. 1 receiver. He has primarily been a deep threat and contested-catch specialist, but his 40 catches for 513 yards and eight touchdowns are something to build on.

Next up could be Sammy Watkins. The fact that he didn't play in the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers is a good sign the coaching staff views him as an entrenched starter at this point.

Randall Cobb figures to factor in as well. He'll be 32 years old this season, but he's a reliable set of hands who can win from the slot.

The real question is: Which rookie will step in to a premium role between Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs? The Packers traded up for Watson in the second round of the 2022 draft, but it's Doubs who has shined in training camp.

He continued his hot preseason with three catches, 45 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener.

Watson missed the first two-and-a-half weeks of training camp after undergoing minor knee surgery. He'll need to make up ground quickly to overtake Doubs as the most exciting young option in the offense.

Projected Winners: Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs

Right Guard/Tackle

Royce Newman will likely be a starter if David Bakhtiari does not return soon. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 03: Royce Newman #70 of the Green Bay Packers is introduced prior to a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on October 03, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Packers had to do plenty of shuffling around on the offensive line last season. The unit lost David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins for the season among other injuries that forced the Packers to play many configurations.

The unit was still good enough. They finished 14th in PFF's final unit rankings. But they weren't able to completely fulfill their potential while in survival mode.

The offseason has given the line time to reset. Jenkins returned to practice for the first time since his ACL injury and immediately was slotted into the starting lineup at right tackle, per Mike Spofford of the team's official website.

The biggest question is: Will Bakhtiari will be back in time for Week 1?

That would allow the Packers to put him at left tackle, move left tackle Yosh Nijman back to the right side and kick Jenkins back to guard.

Jenkins was a Pro Bowler in 2020 when the Packers had the luxury of playing him on the interior.

It's a lot of moving pieces to keep track of, but it likely comes down to injury rehab more than preseason performance.

Projected Winners: RG Royce Newman, RT Elgton Jenkins

Inside Linebacker

Quay Walker seems to have already locked up a starting job. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Green Bay Packers' Quay Walker runs a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 6, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Packers return a ton of talent on the defense. It's not hard to figure out who the starters are going to be at most spots.

The inside linebacker spot beside De'Vondre Campbell was going to be interesting before camp. Krys Barnes made 13 starts last season, but the Packers spent a first-round pick on Walker this spring.

It's safe to say he's already proved he's a Day 1 starter.

Quay Walker played 12 snaps as a starter in the preseason, including three third-down snaps and a play in which he was utilized as a B-gap pass-rusher. In other words, the Packers already trust him out there in key situations and are going to look for different ways to utilize his skill set.

The Packers' unofficial depth chart already lists Walker as the starter beside Campbell.

With an extended run in the second preseason game, he should solidify the job. That should shift the question from whether he'll start to what kind of impact he's going to have on the defense as a starter.

Projected Winner: Quay Walker