The Green Bay Packers are moving Tariq Carpenter to linebacker to start his second NFL season. Carpenter, who arrived in Green Bay as a safety, confirmed the position switch in an interview with Wayne Larrivee on Wednesday.
Carpenter, a seventh-round pick last year, said he played safety to start his rookie season, briefly moved to outside linebacker and then wound up back at safety to end 2022. He played in 14 games as a rookie, logging 122 snaps on special teams and producing eight special teams tackles.
Coach Matt LaFleur tinkered with the idea of playing Carpenter at linebacker after taking him with the 228th overall pick last April. It appears the move is finally happening now, a year later.
Carpenter has the build and movement ability to be an effective nickel linebacker who comes on the field in passing downs.
The team’s unexpected experiment at outside linebacker was likely the result of depth issues at the position following Rashan Gary’s season-ending injury. The Packers acquired Justin Hollins off waivers in November, eliminating the problem.
Carpenter said he expects to line up “behind the big guys” as an off-ball linebacker. He weighed as much as 240 pounds last year, got down to 230 to start the season but then dropped into the 215 range as the year progressed. He’s back in the 220 range, his preferred weight.
Carpenter played some linebacker snaps at Georgia Tech and then saw action at linebacker during the Senior Bowl. While lacking some change of direction ability at safety, his size, strength and athleticism make for an easy fit as an inside-the-box defender.
During the preseason last August, Carpenter played 29 snaps in the box or slot and 33 at free safety.
Carpenter would be the fifth inside linebacker on the roster, behind starters Quay Walker and De’Vondre Campbell and core special teamers Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson.
The Packers have Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Dallin Leavitt, Tarvarius Moore, Innis Gaines and James Wiggins at safety, so moving to linebacker could help Carpenter’s chances of making the roster again in 2023.
