Packers' way-too-early 53-man roster projection
I think it's safe to say the Green Bay Packers' roster composition is going to be something to watch in 2023 With Aaron Rodgers gone, 13 draft picks, 11 UDFA signings, and holes to fill on both sides of the ball, it's easy to see why this summer is going to be very interesting. Note: Players […]
I think it's safe to say the Green Bay Packers' roster composition is going to be something to watch in 2023
With Aaron Rodgers gone, 13 draft picks, 11 UDFA signings, and holes to fill on both sides of the ball, it's easy to see why this summer is going to be very interesting.
Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
IN: Jordan Love, Danny Etling
OUT: Sean Clifford
The skinny: I don't know what the plan is with Clifford, but I have almost zero faith he makes the 53-man roster in September. I also doubt he's going to be good enough in camp to where a team will want to swipe him off the Packers' practice squad. It'd be a great idea for the Packers to add a QB with some experience, so we'll see if they do that over the coming weeks and months.
Running back (3)
IN: Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Patrick Taylor
OUT: Tyler Goodson, Lew Nichols III*
The skinny: There's no reason for the Packers to carry more than three RBs on the roster when considering the workload that Jones and Dillon are responsible for. Taylor beat out Goodson last year in a tight battle that went down to the wire. Taylor's abilities in pass pro is what won him the job, so unless Nichols or Goodson show better ability in that area -and it's doubtful they do- expect this room to look just like it did last year.
Wide receiver (7)
IN: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, Bo Melton, Dontayvion Wicks*, Jayden Reed*, Malik Heath**
OUT: Jeff Cotton, Grant DuBose*
The skinny: The Packers receiver room is full of youth and promise. Watson and Doubs will lead the way and the hope is that Reed can become what Amari Rodgers never was. Wicks will take time to develop like Watson, but he can become a good player and a potential draft steal if he can stay the course and correct his concentration issues. Heath, the Rebels' leading receiver from 2022, will sneak onto the roster.
Tight end (4)
IN: Luke Musgrave*, Tucker Kraft*, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis
OUT: Austin Allen, Nick Guggemos, Cameron McDonald**, Henry Pearson**
The skinny: Like the receiver corps, the Packers' tight ends are young and promising. Except and Musgrave and Kraft should hit the ground running and become the team's 1-2 punch, right away. Deguara's familiarity and experience in the scheme gets him the TE3 nod and Davis is a special teams contributor, so he'll retain his role, as well.
Offensive line (8)
IN: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Zach Tom, Yosh Nijman, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman
OUT: Kadeem Telfort**, Chuck Filiaga**, Jean Delance, Caleb Jones, Rasheed Walker, Luke Tenuta, Sean Rhyan
The skinny: Bakhtiari's and Jenkins's health statuses allow the Packers to carry nine offensive linemen into the season. Both players' futures were largely unknown last year, so the Packers had to safeguard themselves at the tackle/guard positions. This year is obviously different and the room is pretty much locked up. There will be a competition for the starting RT position, but I think Tom wins it and Nijman ends up as the team's swing tackle.
Defensive line (6)
IN: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton, Colby Wooden*, Karl Brooks*, Jonathan Ford
OUT: Chris Slayton, Jonathan Ford, Jason Lewan**
The skinny: The defensive line was in drastic need of depth and the Packers addressed that in a big way during the draft. Wooden and Brooks are both versatile, quick players that should really give the Packers defense an advantage on the inside during passing situations. Both players are mismatches for NFL guards and should be able to log some quality reps next to Clark. Ford makes the roster simply because the team needs another true NT behind Slaton, right now.
Outside linebacker (5)
IN: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness*, Jonathan Garvin, Kingsley Enagbare
OUT: La'Darius Hamilton, Justin Hollins, Keshawn Banks**
The skinny: Green Bay will carry five OLBs due to the uncertainty surrounding Gary's return to full form. I'm not talking about his return, in general – I'm talking about when he returns to the dominant player we saw in 2021 and through the first nine games of 2022. Garvin barley makes the cut over everyone else as EDGE5.
Inside linebacker (4)
IN: Quay Walker, De'Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson
OUT: Jimmy Phillips Jr.**
The skinny: This room is set unless Phillips Jr. makes a ton of noise over the summer and that's doubtful considering how raw he is. You never know, he could surpass expectations, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Cornerback (6)
IN: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine*, Shemar Jean-Charles
OUT: Benjie Franklin, Kiondre Thomas, Tyrell Ford
The skinny: The top-3 perimeter positions are set and Matt LaFleur said Nixon will get the first crack at the nickel position. The Packers could really stand to use one more nickel option in case Nixon doesn't work out, even if Alexander has shown the ability man the spot before. Jean-Charles should be able to regain his special teams role after battling through a nagging ankle injury in 2022. Ballentine is very raw and needs to work on his ball skills in a big way, but has all the tools to develop into a solid backup. Therefore, he'll get the nod in order further his development.
Safety (5)
IN: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Anthony Johnson Jr.*, Dallin Leavitt, Tarvarius Moore
OUT: James Wiggins, Christian Morgan**, Benny Sapp III**, Tariq Carpenter
The skinny: It's anyone's guess what the final outcome of this room looks like outside of Savage. Ford showed promise last year and Leavitt is a key special teamer, so their spots should be safe. Moore's experience should allow him to edge out Carpenter. Sapp III has a great shot at surprising some folks, but I think he's a practice squad candidate, for now.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Anders Carlson (K), Pat O'Donnell (P), Jack Coco (LS)
OUT: Matt Orzech (LS), Parker White (K)
The skinny: Carlson had a very good 2020 season and then had a rocky start to 2021 before tearing his ACL and subsequently having a rocky 2022 season, outside of making PATs. He's not the most accurate kicker from 40+, which is a big deal in the NFL. White is a safer player and his accuracy should win him the job.
