Plenty to watch for during practice access in the coming weeks

Mike Spofford

GREEN BAY Organized team activities (OTAs) begin for the Packers on Tuesday, and over the next two weeks the media, including packers.com, will have access to one practice each week.

Here are five questions we'll be searching for early answers to during practice observations on Wednesday, May 28, and Tuesday, June 3, followed by the offseason-concluding minicamp June 10-12.

First-round draft pickMatthew Golden, third-rounderSavion Williamsand free agent pickupMecole Hardmanare entering a crowded receiver room loaded with competition. Whether or not any get 11-on-11 reps with away with the No. 1 offense, and where exactly they're lining up when they take those snaps, will be an ongoing storyline from now through the preseason in August.

All of them have played in the slot and outside in the past, with Williams also running the ball from the backfield on occasion. Head Coach Matt LaFleur mentioned after the draft it's on the coaching staff to be creative with the new offensive additions. How quickly that creativity is on display will be interesting to see.

Coaches have indicated last year's first-round pick,Jordan Morgan, will be competing with bothRasheed Walkerat left tackle andSean Rhyanat right guard this year. So where Morgan is taking the bulk of his snaps during OTAs will be worth paying attention to.

Also, where the Packers begin second-round rookieAnthony Belton's NFL journey is another topic. The behemoth N.C. State left tackle was touted as having the ability to play guard or tackle and on either side.

Last but not least, if veteranElgton Jenkinswho is moving to center in 2025 to accommodate the free agent signing ofAaron Banksat left guard continues to not attend this voluntary portion of the offseason program, the player snapping the ball for the No. 1 offensive line would seemingly be the frontrunner to back up Jenkins.

Candidates for that spot could include the veteran Rhyan, 2024 fifth-round pickJacob Monk, or possibly even rookie seventh-rounderJohn Williams.

Over the past two offseasons, the Packers have built a secondary with several versatile pieces, as cornerbacksKeisean Nixonand incoming free agentNate Hobbscan play both the slot and boundary, while 2024 second-round pickJavon Bullardplayed both safety and nickel corner as a rookie.

So, assumingJaire Alexander's situation remains unresolved for the time being, does the top nickel group feature Nixon and Hobbs on the outside and Bullard in the slot, or would it be Nixon andCarrington Valentineon the boundary with Hobbs in the slot? Where do the seventh-round picks from the last two years,Kalen KingandMicah Robinson, get their snaps with the reserve units?

At safety, who's lining up alongside All-ProXavier McKinneywith will be watched closely as well. Second-year pro and 2024 fourth-rounderEvan Williamsbecame the preferred partner, health permitting, in the back end as Jeff Hafley concluded his first season as defensive coordinator, but Bullard played plenty back there last year as well.

With the nickel defense the most common personnel package,Quay WalkerandEdgerrin Cooperare expected to be the two inside linebackers anchoring the unit the vast majority of the time.

But when the Packers line up in a traditional 4-3 base, a third off-ball linebacker is needed, and that could be the re-signedIsaiah McDuffie, 2024 third-round pickTy'Ron Hopper, or possibly new additionIsaiah Simmons.

Again, competition is afoot as players vie for roles and responsibilities.

Two of the more significant changes to the coaching staff for 2025 have former Patriots defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington taking over the Packers' defensive line, and former NFL QB Sean Mannion stepping in for the retired Tom Clements at quarterbacks coach.

Covington has spoken about being a very hands-on coach while Mannion observed Clements closely last year. Sean Duggan, who has worked alongside Hafley at multiple coaching stops, also has been promoted to linebackers coach to take over after Anthony Campanile became defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.

How each coach puts his spin on training his position will be worth watching.