GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers wrapped up mandatory minicamp on Thursday, and while most of the attention fell on first-round pick Brandon Cisse or the return of Micah Parsons, the real story might be brewing two or three layers deep on the depth chart.
Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed this was the final full-team minicamp before rookies take the field next week. That means the reps we saw in full cadence this week are the best indicator yet of how the roster is shaping up for the 2026 season. And according to multiple observers in attendance, two unheralded names have quietly started to force their way into the conversation.
Ty’Ron Hopper Is More Than Just a Backup
When the Packers signed Zaire Franklin to wear the green dot and paired him with breakout star Edgerrin Cooper, it looked like the linebacker room was set. But Ty’Ron Hopper, the 2024 third-round pick, has been flashing enough in minicamp that the coaching staff is taking notice.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Hopper matches Cooper’s size almost exactly. And while Cooper was the splashy playmaker last season, Hopper showed his own big-play ability in the playoffs — intercepting a pass in Green Bay’s Wild Card loss to Chicago and adding two tackles in limited snaps.
In Jonathan Gannon’s base 3-4 scheme, the Packers plan to rotate heavily at linebacker to keep legs fresh. That opens the door for Hopper to see meaningful second-unit reps. According to team insiders, his movement in coverage and downhill physicality have been consistent standouts during the three-day minicamp.
Hopper still sits behind Cooper on the official depth chart, but the gap appears narrower than it was a year ago. If he continues to make plays in preseason, don’t be surprised if he carves out a rotational role that grows as the season wears on.
Jager Burton: The Versatile Lineman Nobody’s Talking About Yet
The Packers have never been shy about developing offensive linemen on their own timeline. That history is part of why Jager Burton, a sixth-round pick out of Kentucky, has already started to turn heads in Green Bay.
Burton started 51 games for the Wildcats, including 47 consecutive starts from 2021 to 2025. He played primarily center but also slid over to both guard spots without losing a step. That kind of versatility is gold for an offensive line that has dealt with injuries to key players like Zach Tom.
Veteran Sean Rhyan re-signed this offseason and is currently slotted in at center after shifting from guard mid-2025. But the Packers value flexibility above everything in the trenches, and Burton is the definition of adaptable.
The team has not confirmed any plans to rotate Burton into the starting five, but his performance in minicamp has been strong enough that multiple evaluators have noted his quick hands and consistent snap placement. Given the Packers’ recent injury history along the line, Burton could end up seeing time at center, left guard, or right guard before the season is over.
Neither Hopper nor Burton entered camp with much national buzz. But in a locker room that’s still sorting out roles under a new defensive coordinator and with glaring depth questions up front, both players have positioned themselves to seize opportunities when they arise.
Leave a Comment