In the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Tariq Carpenter out of Georgia Tech No. 228 overall. Carpenter had spent his entire collegiate career and the first year as a professional at the safety position. But, in 2023, he was essentially starting over as the Packers opted to make a change.
Green Bay’s coaching staff decide to move Carpenter to linebacker, a move that he was anticipating during the pre-draft process. He bulked up to better handle the position, but he was kept at safety as a rookie.
Heading into Year 2, he is now a linebacker. While it is a move that the team felt was best for him, it isn’t one that he has fully embraced yet. He still sees himself as a safety despite now lining up at the second level of the defense.
“I still believe I am a safety,” Carpenter said on Saturday. “As far as my traits go, I’m long, athletic, explosive, not really a stout type of guy. I’m more of an athlete. I’m strong going forward. I’m strong coming with speed. I’ve just got to grow into it. I’m going to have some bumps and bruises throughout the way.”
While there are still some adjustments that need to be made, as linebacker is a brand new position for Carpenter, he seems to be taking to it well. He had two interceptions during the Packers Family Night, showcasing the skills that the coaching staff believed would translate to the position.
“If my eyes are where they’re supposed to be, I make a lot more plays,” Carpenter said.
As things currently stand, Carpenter isn’t going to get a ton of snaps on defense. Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell are locked in as the starters. Behind them, on the depth chart, are Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson.
Like McDuffie and Wilson, Carpenter is going to be making his impact in the early going on special teams. Last season, McDuffie and Wilson tied for the team lead with 13 tackles apiece on kickoff coverage; Carpenter had eight in the second half of the season alone.
His success on special teams should continue as he has a unique relationship with Rich Bisaccia. The Packers’ special teams coach has gone as far as visiting Carpenter during the offseason, as the two have a great bond beyond just the football field.
“I guess he cares about me,” Carpenter said. “I appreciated him for coming to see me.”
Bisaccia was the one who gave Carpenter a heads up that a position change was coming, so he wasn’t caught off guard when Packers head coach Matt LaFleur delivered the news.
