The most exciting thing about training camp each year is watching what the new additions will bring. All eyes turn to new free-agent acquisitions, draft picks, and undrafted free agents. I like to ask the question "Did the next Lambeau Legend just have his first day of work?" As the weeks progress, we see our camp standouts, the hype builds, and then we ask the question of whether or not they'll make the team, after that, will they see action? It all tends to be up in the air depending on the competition ahead of them. 

At the safety position for the Green Bay Packers, it was seemingly all up for grabs this year given the position was seeing such a make-over. They went out and signed Xavier McKinney one of the top free agents on the market at the position and then used three draft picks, two of which were day two and early day 3 picks to improve the safety position. It was very clear early on in training camp that those two-day two safeties, Javon Bullard and Evan Williams were going to be camp stars and they both held that title until the end of camp.  But when it came time to see what they could do in the regular season come game 1 in Sao Paulo, Brazil last week, Bullard never missed a single snap on defense, while Williams never saw a single one. 

In training camp, Evan Williams was practically an unstoppable force. In camp practices, he recorded over five interceptions, was all over the field, and was pleasing coaches with his very un-rookie-like understanding of the defense and what was being asked of him. In the preseason games, he recorded eight tackles and one forced fumble looking to be every bit of the ball hawk and sure tackler as he was advertised. Many people, myself included were drawing comparisons of Evan Williams to former Packers safety Micah Hyde as Hyde was a very versatile ball hawk having a long career so far at the position. But that did Williams no favors in getting him on the field for defensive snaps last Friday. 

Javon Bullard instead took all those safety snaps, and to be honest, didn't look too bad in the role himself. Bullard tied with Quay Walker for the most tackles in the game with 11 and was a ball hawk just as Williams was advertised, making his presence known on each play, certainly earning his snap count. The same could be said for the veteran free agent safety Xavier McKinney who walked away with four tackles and an interception. The safety position wasn't a weakness at all to complain about where Evan Williams could be easily plugged in to attempt resolving. 

But where the Packers were terrible Friday night was certainly in the open-field tackling category. An area that Evan Williams has so far seemed to excel. With the other two safeties playing so well though, how does Williams get on the field?

Hybrid and Slot roles

The Packers did a good job of limiting Jalen Hurts' running ability on Friday night, but other quarterbacks will pose different threats throughout the season. Coming right up in week 2, the Packers will see Anthony Richardson with the Colts. Richardson can make plays with his feet, but he's also a good deep passer. The Packers will need some speed and tackling ability but also will require good coverage. I would employ a scheme where Bullard and Evan Williams kind of switch off as Safety/Linebacker/Slot hybrids. 

Putting either Bullard or Williams in the backfield would still give the over-the-stop safety coverage assistance for any of those big plays while having the other in the slot or perhaps at a linebacker position would provide the sure tackling needed for stopping the run. Bullard has a bit more experience in the slot so he may be the choice in covering a slot receiver where Evan Williams could be a little more free to roam as a safety. This would give Evan Williams a chance to show off his ball-hawking abilities whether that be tracking a ball carrier to improve our tackling in week 2, or his coverage abilities in limiting those big plays.

I said earlier in the Preseason that Evan Williams is a baller. He's just one of those guys on defense who can easily track the ball or ball carrier and can seemingly make big plays happen at will. It's a shame to keep a guy who's so talented on the sidelines, it's time to let him loose. I'm tired of watching our players whiff on tackles, Williams, Bullard, and McKinney seem to be sure-tacklers, I want those three on the field at all times regardless of position so that we're not watching lackluster tackle attempts every play. We talk about having your five best offensive linemen on the field at all times, well how about your best defensive backs? It's time to make that a rule as well and make sure Evan Williams is used to his full potential.