Packers 2015 Depth Chart 8/9: Linebackers in flux early in training camp

With the team's first preseason game of 2015 quickly approaching, the Green Bay Packers have announced their first unofficial depth chart. The Packers travel to Massachusetts this week to play the defending Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots, on Thursday evening.

Here is a look at the depth chart provided by the team in their weekly Dope Sheet, which features some slight surprises on the defensive side of the ball.

Offense

There are few surprises on the offensive side of the ball. Though Barclay is listed as the backup at right tackle, he likely would be a primary option at both guard positions if there were to be an injury there. Perhaps the biggest surprise is Richard Rodgers being listed as the starter ahead of Quarless, though even that is minor. After all, Rodgers was tabbed as the starter early last season as well before splitting time with Quarless later on.

At wideout, it should come as no surprise based on his good performance in camp that Ty Montgomery has cracked the two-deep. With Janis and White listed at different spots, it is tough to get a read on where those two stand relative to each other. Finally, the backup quarterback order clearly reflects the quality of play of Blanchard and Hundley at this point in camp. We still expect Hundley to stick on the roster as the third quarterback come September, however.

Defense

Here are where some of the surprises come into play. Matthews is listed not only as an outside linebacker, but as the left outside linebacker, a position which he has not played primarily since 2011. Meanwhile, Julius Peppers, who played mainly on the left side last year, is on the right now. With Matthews outside, that leaves Nate Palmer as the starter at middle linebacker next to Sam Barrington.

Also of some interest is the fact that rookie LaDarius Gunter is fourth on the depth chart at corner, despite earning some first-team reps in sub packages.

With all that said, this depth chart illustrates the challenges of defining a traditional 3-4 depth chart for a team that uses so many sub packages. The Packers so often use their nickel package with an extra defensive back coming on the field, and instead of Randall or Goodson, that has typically been Micah Hyde in the slot. Similarly, with Matthews' expected role being all over the field, pigeonholing him into that left outside linebacker spot is far too limiting. We at Acme Packing Company expected Matthews to be listed as an inside linebacker prior to camp, which at this point seems premature; however, all reports out of camp still indicate that he will be playing inside extensively when he returns to the field from his knee issues.

Special Teams

There are no surprises here either, if you have been following along with practice. Hyde as the primary punt returner and Montgomery taking kicks is consistent with what we have seen in camp so far.

What do you think about the depth chart as currently defined?