The Green Bay Packers used the 228th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Georgia Tech safety/linebacker Tariq Carpenter, an experienced hybrid player who could give the Packers a boost on special teams.
While he wore No. 2 in college, Carpenter will wear No. 24 for the Packers. He’ll get a chance to be a backup at both safety and linebacker while playing an extensive role for special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.
Here are five interesting things to know about Carpenter, the eighth of the Packers’ 11 draft picks in 2022:
Experience in spades
(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Carpenter is one of the most experienced players in the Packers draft class. He played in 52 games over five seasons at Georgia Tech, including 50 straight to end his collegiate career. He was a four-year starter and ended up with 41 career starts, all at safety. Carpenter finished his career with 223 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four interceptions and 22 pass breakups. He was the lone player from Georgia Tech to be taken in the 2022 NFL draft.
Hybrid defender
Tariq Carpenter is shown during Green Bay Packers rookie camp Friday, May 6, 2022 in Green Bay, Wis.
Carpenter’s unique blend of size (6-3, 230), speed (4.5) and experience gives him the real potential to be a hybrid player. The Packers can play him at safety, his natural position, or move him down in the box as a subpackage linebacker, where he might have the ideal set of traits for playing linebacker in obvious passing situations. Expect him to spend time in both rooms. Carpenter played linebacker during the Senior Bowl, and he has the toughness and physical playstyle necessary for playing in the box and the movement skills for covering linebackers and running backs. The Packers list him as a safety, but coach Matt LaFleur said he’ll likely start his career at linebacker.
Almost aced the pro day
Carpenter,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Packers Wire…