Predicting the NFC North’s biggest surprises to make 53-man roster: Explosive HBCU pass rusher and local sensation highlight talented group

There have been some really impressive players this preseason in the NFC North

Kole Noble, Mike Payton, Tyler Forness, Wendell Ferreira
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Cutdown day for the National Football League is here. On Tuesday, August 26 at 3:00 p.m. CT, all teams will have to have their roster down to 53 players. It will bring some difficult decisions for everyone, especially with roster math and trying to figure out who you can and can’t sneak onto the practice squad.

Each team in the NFC North has a lot of players who have impressed enough to earn that roster spot, but have they done enough to earn the right to not be snuck onto the practice squad and exposed to waivers? These players have done enough and could be a big surprise to make the final 53-man roster.

NFC North surprise candidates to make the 53-man roster

Minnesota Vikings beat writer Tyler Forness: DT Elijah Williams

If you’ve been paying attention to the Vikings this preseason, the surprise on defense has been Elijah Williams. The defensive lineman from Morgan State didn’t join the Vikings until he thrived during rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. He wowed the coaches then and has continued to do so throughout the entire offseason and training camp.

In the preseason, the 290+ lb Williams has thrived in many ways, including on kickoff return coverage this past Friday night against the Tennessee Titans. After the Harrison Phillips trade earlier in the week, Williams’ roster spot felt pretty certain, and it should be. He started as an edge rusher heading to Morgan State, and you can see that in his movement skills. Having that kind of versatility is huge for Brian Flores’ defense.

Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira: NT Nazir Stackhouse

It’s a big question to see if the Packers will keep six interior defensive linemen or not, but undrafted rookie Nazir Stackhouse has certainly made a strong case throughout training camp and preseason. He’s probably their best run-stuffer at the position, something particularly relevant after the team lost TJ Slaton to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.

You might think that keeping six interior linemen is a waste of roster spots, but Brian Gutekunst has historically taken advantage of roster rules to keep promising players around. They could keep Stackhouse on the 53 and make him an inactive player throughout the season, while elevating players from the practice squad for gameday to have more special teams impact.

Chicago Bears beat writer Kole Noble: WR Jahdae Walker

Whether or not the Bears keep six wide receivers is still to be determined, especially for a team that will heavily use various tight ends and running backs. At the same time, undrafted rookie Jahdae Walker has earned consideration with his play over the last three weeks.

His final drive and dagger touchdown reception against the Kansas City Chiefs helped boost his chances even more. What really stood out was his tackle on the following kickoff to completely put the game on ice. This guy can play, and if the Bears don’t keep him, another team will.

Detroit Lions beat writer Mike Payton: S Ian Kennelly

The biggest surprise to make the Lions roster this summer is Ian Kennelly. It’s not easy for an undrafted rookie to make a 53-man roster, it’s probably twice as hard if you played Division 2 ball. Kennelly has shown up all summer long and moved himself from being the 90th man to the 53rd man with solid play. He’s even getting first team reps lately. It was always a cool story for the local kid to get a shot, but this has turned into a cooler story with him getting an even bigger shot to play regular season football.

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