Packers Defensive Backs Preview
This unit is the overall deepest on the team, and is the pride of the Packers' defense. It's a group that varies from experience level, individual backgrounds, and status. So, here are the Packers' defensive backs in training camp.
#20 CB Makinton Dorleant (Rookie)
#21 S Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix (3)
#23 CB Damarious Randall (2)
#24 CB Quinten Rollins (2)
#25 S Marwin Evans (Rookie)
#26 CB Warren Gatewood (Rookie)
#28 CB Josh Hawkins (Rookie)
#29 S Kentrell Brice (Rookie)
#31 CB Robertson Daniel (1)
#32 S Chris Banjo (3)
#33 DB Micah Hyde (4)
#35 S Jermaine Whitehead (Rookie)
#36 CB LaDarius Gunter (2)
#37 CB Sam Shields (7)
#39 CB Demetri Goodson (3)
#41 CB Randall Jette (Rookie)
#42 S Morgan Burnett (7)
As we all know, almost every team plays four defensive backs, usually two corners and two safeties. There is no NFL team currently with anything different, and most colleges follow that format as well. I have nine total defensive backs making the roster, with three starting spots (both safeties and one corner) guaranteed. They are CB Sam Shields and safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix. Burnett and Clinton-Dix form perhaps the best safety tandem in the NFL this side of Seattle, and Sam Shields has become a lockdown corner and a Pro Bowl candidate yearly. The final starting job is likely going to come down to second year corners (and last year's first and second round picks by the Packers) Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. I believe that both guys will receive ample playing time, as the Packers have five defensive backs on the field (or more) most of the time. I'd give the edge to Randall at this moment, due to having less injuries and him being the former first rounder. But Rollins has as much of a shot as him at replacing Casey Hayward.
Another for sure lock is DB Micah Hyde, who is usually roaming around where the safeties are, and can play both positions well. He is also a punt returner on special teams, and will be in multiple defensive packages. His presence also allows the Packers to try something new, having Morgan Burnett play inside linebacker on dime packages and allowing more speed and tackling at the position, similar to Deone Bucannon of Arizona. The other three defensive backs also appear to have a head start on the other positions, although one of them, CB Demetri Goodson, is facing a suspension. He has remained on the team due to his potential, but his off-field issues and on field performance don't guarantee him a job. The other two guys with the edge over the rest of the field are S Chris Banjo and CB LaDarius Gunter. Banjo has had plenty of playing experience for the Packers, and Gunter has shown flashes that he may be the next Sam Shields (aka an undrafted corner who becomes a lockdown corner). Both made the roster last season, and I don't see them getting cut.
As far as who is most likely to make the team outside of these guys, and either take Goodson's spot or create a tenth spot is CB Robertson Daniel, who has spent a year learning the Packers system, and CB Josh Hawkins, who has great speed and has ever-improving coverage skills. CB Makinton Dorleant is similar in that nature to Hawkins, but a recent injury may just end up bumping him to the practice squad or elsewhere.
So, here are the nine defensive backs that I have making the Packers' roster: Morgan Burnett, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Micah Hyde, Chris Banjo, Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter, Demetri Goodson.
