Packers Training Camp by Position: Safety
The Packers left a big hole in the secondary by letting veteran leader Morgan Burnett walk away without even offering a contract. Time will tell if that was a good decision, but for now, let's take a look at the fact that Brian Gutekunst didn't bother to add another Safety. HaHa Clinton-Dix is a Pro Bowler playing for an extensions after this final contract year, so Free Safety is covered. It's Strong Safety, where last year's second-rounder Josh Jones and a former undrafted Free Safety-turned-Strong-Safety Kentrell Brice will fight for starting reps. There's likely more pressure on Jones to succeed and win the job, given his second-round hype, but all senses point to Brice actually being the most ready for starting responsibilities. Brice, Jones, and backup Free Safety Jermaine Whitehead have all endured injuries early in camp, so it may be in Green Bay's best interest to start exploring free agent options at Safety (Eric Reid, anyone?). Until Brian Gutekunst has the balls to admit he needs more talent back at Safety, let's take a look at who we have for now...
FREE SAFETY
HaHa Clinton-Dix - 25, 5th season, 58 starts, $5.96M Salary
While many other defensive leaders have picked up injuries here and there, Clinton-Dix has started all 16 games for three straight seasons. Green Bay was smart to pick up his fifth year option for 2018, as they had no other option close to his caliber. HaHa had 5 picks in 2016 and 3 in 2017, and he's remained an anchor deep in the secondary while Morgan Burnett shifted all around the defense over the past couple of years. Strong Safety may have some questions marks, but the only one surrounding Clinton-Dix is if he plays well enough for Green Bay to give him a well-deserved pay day. He is, in fact, a Pro Bowler.
Jermaine Whitehead - 25, 4th season, 0 starts, $555K salary
Whitehead is officially listed as a Free Safety, but he's rushed into the backfield like a mad man on Family Night and the preseason opener against Tennessee. Nothing came of it, but anyone with the audio on during either game now knows who he is. Whitehead was god awful in the two games as a Packer in 2016, and improved to just mediocre in the 10 games off the bench last year. He's a fringe roster player at best, and his current back injury isn't winning any votes of confidence to make the active roster. That being said, if he can recover quickly and show a little danger in the secondary, the depth at safety is lackluster enough where he could make the 53-man roster.
Raven Greene - 23, Rookie, $480K Salary
Greene went undrafted this past April, but he made some plays during his tenure at James Madison. He hasn't really shown up in Green Bay, though. If you're an unknown, undrafted guy; you have to make some plays if you want to stay around. Unless something big happens in the remaining preseasons games, I wouldn't count on Greene making the practice squad, let alone the active roster.
STRONG SAFETY
Josh Jones - 23, 2nd season, 7 starts, $962K Salary
Jones played in all 16 games as a Rookie last year, making 7 official starts and shadowing as a hybrid linebacker during some appearances. His most memorable moment was sacking Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton twice in one game. His impact near the line of scrimmage isn't a question mark, but his coverage ability certainly is. The word "stiff" gets used frequently by both experts and everyday fans watching him in coverage. Jones isn't a bust by any means, but he's definitely not well-rounded enough to be a full-time starting Strong Safety. Mike Pettine & Co. will utilize the playbook to get Jones on the field, but if we're discussing who the full-out starting Strong Safety is Week One, it's Kentrell Brice.
Kentrell Brice - 24, 3rd season, 3 starts, $631K Salary
Brice came out of college as a Strong Safety, but he's split time at both Safety spots for the Packers. His season ended on November 3rd last year after suffering an Injured Reserve-deserving ankle injury. On June 30th, he was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury, but he's healthy enough to be starting in the second preseason game tonight against Pittsburgh. If you want to know what Brice is known for, Google his hit on Cole Beasley. He just levels guys. Brice is more experienced (and arguably more well-rounded) than Josh Jones, and he's currently penciled in as the starting Strong Safety on the unofficial depth chart. Josh Jones will be utilized a lot as a blitzer, but as far as coverage-based Strong Safety plays, no one is taking the starting reps from Brice.
Marwin Evans - 25, 3rd season, 1 start, $630K Salary
Evans went undrafted in 2016, but the Milwaukee native made the active roster and has played in 32 out of a possible 32 games since, even making his first NFL start last season. He's a talented special teams player, showcased by his ruthless downfield hitting ability. Evans just decks people. Only Rookie Linebacker Oren Burks had more defensive snaps than him in the preseason opener. Also, out of all players still on the roster from last season, Marwin Evans is only second behind Kyler Fackrell in special teams snaps. Good thing to consider when you're fighting for a roster spot against Jermaine Whitehead and Quinten Rollins, despite playing a different base position.
SUMMARY:
HaHa Clinton-Dix: Starting Free Safety
Kentrell Brice: Starting Strong Safety
Josh Jones: 3rd Safety/Hybrid Linebacker
Marwin Evans: Better-than-not odds of making the cut, special teams savant
Jermaine Whitehead: 50/50 odds of making the cut, definitely misses if Green Bay keeps Quinten Rollins
Raven Greene: Misses the cut, unlikely to make the practice squad
