A few quick updates on rookies for the Green Bay Packers through five training camp practices: safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams are impressing with information retention and versatility, while first-round pick Jordan Morgan is starting to get more and more comfortable at guard.
Coach Matt LaFleur said he’s been impressed with the mental capabilities of both Bullard, a second-round pick, and Williams, a fourth-round pick.
“I’m really excited about both those guys,” LaFleur said Sunday. “Certainly, they have a skill set, but the mental ability of both of these guys to be able to retain what they’ve learned throughout the course of OTAs and come back and continue to build on it day by day. I think it’s been super impressive. They are versatile enough, we can interchange the safeties so you can’t get a beat on who is going to be where. It’s such a competitive situation.”
Both Bullard and Williams have made interceptions during training camp. On Saturday, Bullard jumped a short route and made what would have been a pick-six. Both rookies are getting chances to play next to Xavier McKinney as the Packers attempt to figure out the best combinations for Jeff Hafley’s secondary. Eventually, fifth-round pick Kitan Oladapo will return from a toe injury and get in the mix, and 2023 seventh-round pick Anthony Johnson Jr. is getting opportunities to rotate in next to McKinney.
LaFleur believes the competition will help the Packers find the best options at safety, a position that could be the team’s most improved over the 2023 season.
On offense, the Packers’ first-round pick has found an early positional home.
While Morgan got reps at tackle during the offseason workout program, most of his team reps during training camp have come at guard.
“He’s been predominantly inside,” LaFleur said. “I think he’s starting to feel more and more comfortable inside, but I think he’s talented enough that if we need to kick him outside, we can do that.”
Although a college left tackle, Morgan was seen by many as best suited to play inside at guard during the draft process.
The Packers have two returning starters at offensive tackle in Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom, although Tom hasn’t practiced in 11-on-11 work while recovering from an offseason pectoral injury. Inside at guard, Morgan is getting opportunities to play first-team reps, especially with Josh Myers (personal matter) and Elgton Jenkins (veteran rest day) missing a few practices early on. It’s possible Morgan will get more chances to play tackle if the competition at right tackle — where Andre Dillard and Kadeem Telfort have rotated in and out with Tom not available — doesn’t improve.