We are entering the final week of the preseason, which means it's a perfect time to take a stab at projecting the Green Bay Packers initial 53-man roster for the 2023 season.

It's been an exciting preseason, so far. There are plenty of questions surrounding the Packers, but they have plenty of youth and explosiveness to where finding the answers to said questions is exciting, at least. So far, that explosiveness has shown up on a consistent basis and that only adds to the excitement.

Before we start, it's important to remember cornerback Eric Stokes is still on the PUP, therefore, he wouldn't count toward the 53-man roster if cuts were to happen today:

Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (2)

IN: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford*
OUT: Alex McGough

The skinny: Clifford has shown enough during the preseason to where he'll be Love's backup. McGough was a midsummer add and has played a grand total of seven snaps through the first two preseason games.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Sunday that Love will play Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks. Regardless of the amount of playing time – Love's presence will eat into McGough's snaps. As will Clifford's.

Therefore, it's a safe to bet McGough won't get signed away after final cuts and will be available for the Packers practice squad. 

---

Running back (3)

IN: Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Patrick Taylor
OUT: Lew Nichols III,*, Emanuel Wilson**, Tyler Goodson, Nate McCrary, Henry Pearson** (FB)

The skinny: The battle for the RB3 job will come down to special teams play and pass protection. Taylor tied for the team lead in special teams snaps against the Patriots and he also had a nice touchdown run. He could technically win by default, as Goodson and Nichols are hurt. LaFleur made an interesting comment regarding Wilson on Sunday that suggests he's still a ways away from winning the job, as well.

---

Wide receiver (6)

IN: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed*, Samori Toure, Dontayvion Wicks*, Malik Heath**
OUT: Grant DuBose*, Deuce Watts**, Bo Melton, Dre Miller, Cody Chrest**, Jadakis Bonds**

The skinny: I wouldn't be surprised if DuBose beats out Heath for the final spot. Especially if he has a strong game against the Seahawks. But for now, Heath's body of work is simply better when placed side-by-side with DuBose's. 

It's pretty much a two-man battle for the WR6 spot. Keep an eye on these guys and their special teams reps this week, as well.

---

Tight end (4)

IN: Luke Musgrave*, Tucker Kraft*, Josiah Deguara, Austin Allen
OUT: N/A

The skinny: This one is pretty clear-cut thanks to Tyler Davis' unfortunate injury. I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers carry three tight ends, but I wonder if Deguara's reps in the backfield lead to them carrying a fourth guy, which would be Allen, in this instance.

---

Offensive line (9)

IN: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr., Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Yosh Nijman, Jake Hanson
OUT: Caleb Jones, Jean Delance, James Empey, Cole Schneider, Kadeem Telfort, Luke Tenuta

The skinny: The versatility along the Packers offensive line is pretty remarkable – so much so that it allows the team to carry three tackles, which is not a common development in the NFL. One could easily make a case to carry only eight guys, here, but it makes sense to carry nine due to the NFL's roster bonus rule. Also, it's not a bad idea to have an extra true center on board in case Myers goes down or continues to decline in play like we've seen throughout the summer.

It's a smart philosophy to cross-train these guys in order to keep things running smoothly in case of injury (or injuries) and the result is a very deep offensive line that should help this young offense grow a lot in 2023.

---

Defensive line (6)

IN: Kenny Clark, T.J. Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks*, Colby Wooden*, Jonathan Ford
OUT: Antonio Moultrie**, Chris Slayton

The skinny: It was essentially a coin toss deciding whether or not Ford makes the cut, but at the end of the day, the Packers need another true nose tackle on the roster. If Slaton goes down then the defense is even more susceptible to opposing rushing attacks. The Packers can always add Ford to the practice squad, but it makes more sense to play it safe.

---

Outside linebacker (5)

IN: Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness*, JJ Enagbare, Justin Hollins
OUT: Brenton Cox**, Arron Mosby**, Keshawn Banks**, Kenneth Odumegwu, Jason Lewan**

The skinny: Overall, it doesn't make sense for the Packers to carry six OLBs. Especially with Tariq Carpenter moving into the inside linebackers room. With Gary on track to play Week 1, the Packers have one of the deeper pass rush units in the NFL.

---

Inside linebacker (5)

IN: De'Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Eric Wilson, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter
OUT: Marvin Pierre**, Jimmy Phillips Jr.**

The skinny: Considering the fact that Campbell and Walker are three-down linebackers, it doesn't make much sense to carry five ILBs on the surface.

But Carpenter's special teams prowess should get him a spot on the 53 as he continues to learn the position.

---

Cornerback (5)

IN: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine*, Innis Gaines
OUT: Kiondre Thomas, Shemar Jean-Charles, William Hooper**, Corey Ballentine, Tyrell Ford, Elijah Hamilton

The skinny: Stokes' PUP presence allows the Packers to carry five corners. This is one of the more set position groups on the roster, especially with Valentine's emergence during training camp.

The team has plenty of outside options, but they need a true inside guy to back up Nixon in case of injury. Gaines has been pretty good over the last few weeks, so it makes sense to keep him. Sure, Alexander and Douglas can play inside, but they are best on the perimeter – so why not do what you can to keep your best players in their most effective roles?

---

Safety (5)

IN: Darnell Savage, Jonathan Ownens, Tarvarius Moore, Rudy Ford, Dallin Leavitt, 
OUT: Anthony Johnson Jr.*, Benny Sapp III**

The skinny: Johnson Jr. has been rising fast as of late, so it won't be a surprise if he's on next week's 53-man roster prediction. But, right now, it's hard to justify carrying more than five safeties, which means Johnson Jr. is the odd man out. 

---

Special Teams (3)

IN: Anders Carlson (K), Pat O'Donnell (P), Matt Orzech (LS)
OUT: Broughton Hatcher**, Daniel Whelan

The skinny: The Packers are fine with pushing through the ebbs and flows that come with Carlson – the rookie will easily be a year-long storyline to follow. As far the O'Donnell-Whelan battle: O'Donnell's ability to place punts inside the 20 will be the deciding factor. 

---

We are so close to receiving the answers we've been looking for since May. There's still one game left to play, but outside the RB3, WR6, DL6, and S5/6 positions, this roster is pretty much carved out.

We'll see if anything changes between now and next Tuesday, when final cuts are due. 

Featured image via Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin