In the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, with the No. 228 overall pick, the Green Bay Packers selected defensive back Tariq Carpenter out of Georgia Tech. Like many rookies selected that late in the draft, Carpenter earned his stripes while playing on special teams.
He quickly became an integral part of their special teams unit, playing 34 percent of the snaps, 122 total. His role there was much larger than the one he had on the Packers’ defense, which was virtually nonexistent as he registered only eight snaps as a rookie.
But, that is something that could change in 2023. Not only is Carpenter preparing for his second season in the NFL, he is now learning a new position as well. After entering the NFL as a cornerback, the Packers are now shifting Carpenter to linebacker.
Green Bay feels this is a better way to utilize the size and athleticism that Carpenter possesses standing 6’4” and weighing 225 pounds. It was something that he revealed he was actually prepared for.
“I kind of already seen it coming,” said Carpenter earlier this offseason during OTAs. “They were just talking about their plans, putting me in packages, because they like the way that I blitz and punt-blocker stuff. I love playing the game. I know I can be very good at it. You’re not going to see too many skill sets like mine.”
A four-year starter with the Yellow Jackets, there is a lot to like about what Carpenter brings to the table. He did work out as a linebacker at the Senior Bowl in 2022 and spent some time with the Packers’ edge rushers group last season before settling in with the defensive backs.
Allowing rookies to stay at their natural position is something that Green Bay likes to do, but they have a history, and a successful one, of transitioning players to other positions in Year 2 and finding success. Safety Micah Hyde is likely the most successful example.
“It’s just a move we felt like could be in the best interest of him,” said Head Coach Matt LaFleur of Carpenter. “Because we’ve all seen his value on (special) teams and the impact he can make. It’s just another way to try to see where he best fits.”
Cornerback and linebacker are where the Packers have the most depth defensively. But, Carpenter knows that he can help out the team in different ways. Even if that means playing a majority of his snaps on special teams again, he is ready for whatever is thrown his way.
“I’m still growing. I still got a lot more work to do,” Carpenter said. “Just my work ethic now, I’m always working hard. When I’m on the field, just sprinting to the ball. I’m in great shape. That’s just Rich checking on me all season, telling me to run. I just want to be able to run all day because I feel like I can be pretty good if I can just run all day.”
