The Green Bay Packers open training camp on Wednesday, July 23, marking the unofficial start of the 2025 season for Matt LaFleur’s team. After back-to-back playoff appearances but disappointing playoff failures, the Packers are hoping to take another step forward in 2025. The process begins in full on July 23.

Packers Wire will go position by position previewing the roster, highlighting battles to watch, the things that actually matter and young players to monitor this summer.

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Here is our training camp preview of the defensive backs:

On the roster (17)Most important: Stacking success

Even without Jaire Alexander for most of last season, the Packers secondary improved in a meaningful way, mostly due to the sublime play of All-Pro Xavier McKinney and the impact of a pair of rookie safeties. The big question for 2025: Can everyone build on what they put together in Year 1 under Jeff Hafley? The Packers added Nate Hobbs, providing more versatility at cornerback, and there should be hope that players such as Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Carrington Valentine and even Keisean Nixon, who moved to perimeter corner, can take another step this season. Still, the cornerbacks are a question mark, and progress isn’t always linear for young players. The Packers are banking on Hobbs and the same defensive backs who ended last season being good enough for a Super Bowl-caliber secondary. — Zach Kruse

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What to watch: How will the Packers get Javon Bullard on the field?

Javon Bullard was outshone by fellow rookie Evan Williams last season, leading many to believe Williams will start alongside Xavier McKinney in 2025. That would be a disappointing development for Bullard, a former second-round pick, but there’s still a path for both to see significant playing time. Bullard primarily lined up in the slot last season, while Williams spent most of his snaps at deep safety—a role I expect him to maintain. Even with the addition of high-priced slot corner Nate Hobbs, Bullard should continue to play near the line of scrimmage, where he is at his best. Look for Bullard to carve out a specialized role as an early-down safety who excels in run support and matches up well against receiving tight ends. His physicality and instincts make him a valuable piece in certain packages, even if he isn’t an every-down starter. — Brandon Carwile

One thing that actually matters: How will Nate Hobbs be used?

Signing Nate Hobbs is arguably the single biggest decision the Packers need to be proven right on in 2025. After inking him to a four-year deal and releasing Jaire Alexander, Green Bay seems to be betting on a ‘no weak links’ approach to their cornerback room, but the team has been non committal on how their new corner will be used, claiming he can play both in the slot and outside. While Hobbs has had some real highs in the NFL as a slot corner, his lone season playing mostly on the perimeter was a disaster. When the rubber meets the road, will Hobbs actually spend the majority of his time inside? Or will the Packers think they can unlock something the Raiders couldn’t, and play him outside hoping for better results? — Mark Oldacres

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Young player to watch: Javon Bullard

I’m operating under the assumption that the Packers are going to start Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs on the boundary, opening the door for Jeff Hafley to deploy Javon Bullard in the slot and Evan Williams as the starting safety alongside Xavier McKinney. That could all change if Hobbs doesn’t look comfortable on the boundary, but I’m guessing the Packers would love for him to grab hold of that role and settle in. During his rookie season, Bullard was moved around. If he can stay put and hone his craft as a slot defender, he could really enjoy a breakout season during his second year in the league. Playing closer to the line of scrimmage could allow Bullard to make more impact plays and it also opens up the door to get Green Bay’s best five defensive backs on the field. It will be interesting to see how the secondary lines up on a daily basis throughout the summer. Bullard is the type of player who could help turn Green Bay’s secondary to the next level. — Brennen Rupp

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers training camp previewing: Finding roles for all the defensive backs