Green Bay Packers Hoping Tariq Carpenter Can Help Linebacker Depth

The Green Bay Packers are entering a new era. They have embraced the youth movement, which gives them a lot of room for experimentation. Tariq Carpenter is one of those experiments. Carpenter was a seventh-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2022 and was playing the safety position. He has now moved to inside linebacker to help with the depth behind Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell. If he can make the transition, it would greatly help the Packers in a position of need.

Packers S Tariq Carpenter (24) – Evan Siegle

Green Bay Packers Tariq Carpenter

Carpenter really didn’t see the field much in 2022, and it was mostly on special teams. He had a total of eight tackles, with six of them being solo. His special teams experience has put him close to coach Rich Bisaccia, who has helped guide him through the position change. “I never played linebacker in my life. It’s like I’m learning freaking Portuguese,” Carpenter said in June. Switching positions is hard, but the Packers are committed to making it happen. Their depth at the position is not great, which was seen after Campbell went down last season. While there may be some struggles, the Packers can afford some growing pains this year.

Packers S Tariq Carpenter (24) – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY Sports

How Has He Been Doing?

It’s been a struggle, but he showed some good flashes for the Green Bay Packers at the Family Night practice. He had two interceptions on the night. One was played perfectly by the new linebacker. He rerouted his man and made a leaping catch to intercept the pass from rookie Sean Clifford. The second one fell in his lap. Rookie safety Benny Sapp popped the ball free, and Carpenter was in the right place at the right time. Still, he had to make the play. If this position change can be a success, it will keep with the theme the Packers have in their roster building, versatility.

Packers RB Aaron Jones(33) – Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Roster Versatility

In the past couple of years, the Packers have been bringing in players who have positional versatility. Quay Walker lined up on the defensive end a couple of times. Keisean Nixon can play returner but also has been in the cornerback rotation. On offense, Christian Watson can be a deadly gadget runner but also a devastating outside receiver. Aaron Jones is the original versatile player on the roster, as his pass-catching ability makes him one of the best backs in the league. Tariq Carpenter has the skills of a safety at the linebacker position. This could be massive for a Packers’ defense that likes to move pieces around to confuse quarterbacks.

Packers Assistant HC and STC Rich Bisaccia – Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Special Teams Impact

Unless injuries happen, Tariq Carpenter will likely spend the year on special teams. He is taking that as a point of pride. “I feel pretty good about special teams,” Carpenter said. “I think I’m one of the best cover guys in the league. Just watching my tape from last year, I made some mistakes, but coming into Year 2, I expect to be a lot better.” This may seem like a very unexciting and low-impact role, but not giving up big returns will be essential in helping out the defense. The further teams have to go, the better. The special teams took a huge step forward last season and are looking to make another jump.

The Green Bay Packers, like any team, will be happy if a seventh-round pick makes an impact on the roster. Tariq Carpenter is a player that diehard Packers fans should be watching this year. While his playing time will be limited, he looks to make a huge impact in the role that he has on the team.