Green Bay Packers' 53-man roster prediction after the preseason finale
The Green Bay Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens 30-7 on Saturday, winning their final preseason game in 2024. The starters didn't play, but it gave backups an opportunity to get reps. Following that, we have a slightly different perspective than what we had after the win over the Cleveland Browns and after the loss to the […]
The Green Bay Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens 30-7 on Saturday, winning their final preseason game in 2024. The starters didn't play, but it gave backups an opportunity to get reps.
Following that, we have a slightly different perspective than what we had after the win over the Cleveland Browns and after the loss to the Denver Broncos last week.
QBs (2): Jordan Love, Michael Pratt
Beyond Love, two recent draft picks are fighting to be the immediate backup and to stay on the roster. Sean Clifford was the QB2 for the entire training camp and preseason, but he has a higher chance of clearing waivers without being claimed. I considered the chance of keeping them all, but that would affect the roster construction elsewhere.
Pratt was much better than Clifford in the first half, but threw an interception in the second. The rookie's talent-level is higher, though, which is significant for a developmental type of quarterback. Perhaps, the Packers will still want a more solid backup option, but it's hard to find one in August.
RB (2): Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson
AJ Dillon seemed like a lock because he didn't play in Denver, but a stinger (which he had had in 2023) concerns the Packers. MarShawn Lloyd is also injured, but it's unclear if he starts the season on IR. The Packers can now place either of them (or both) on IR with the option to return after four games.
Emanuel Wilson played a lot, and he was clearly the best running back of the bunch after Josh Jacobs. After solid performances against the Browns and Ravens, the second-year running back deserves a spot on the 53. The Packers will likely get Ellis Merriweather and/or Nate McCrary on the practice squad and elevate them while Dillon and Lloyd are out.
- IR (DTR): AJ Dillon, MarShawn Lloyd.
- Released: Ellis Merriweather, Nate McCrary.
WR (6): Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Malik Heath
The Packers have eight playable NFL wide receivers, which is wild to think about. The most challenging choice has been between Grant DuBose and Malik Heath, and I've gone back and forth with this. In the end, I would probably go with DuBose because he has a higher ceiling and a lower chance of getting claimed. Nonetheless, my prediction is that the Packers keep Heath because he's more experienced and is a better special teamer.
Released: Grant DuBose, Samori Toure, Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley, Jalen Wayne.
TE (4): Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Ben Sims, Tyler Davis
Musgrave and Kraft are locks, and Sims is pretty close to being one too. The Packers like Tyler Davis better than the external perception, so he might be kept as a special teamer — this is a decision I don't agree with, but it's what the Packers will do. Joel Wilson has played well, but he's more of a practice squad type at this point.
Released: Joel Wilson, Messiah Swinson, Henry Pearson.
OL (9): Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk, Andre Dillard, Kadeem Telfort
That will be a fascinating fight for jobs. The Packers drafted three offensive linemen, signed veterans Andre Dillard and Lecitus Smith, plus two UDFAs. Dillard has no guarantees in his contract, but he played well against the Broncos and is on pace to be their swing tackle.
Travis Glover is a sixth-round pick, but it's getting hard to justify a roster spot (especially a rough performance at right tackle versus the Broncos), and he will probably end up on the practice squad. However, he can still get a roster spot over Telfort. Royce Newman, once a useful rookie, is now unplayable even against backups.
Released: Caleb Jones, Royce Newman, Travis Glover, Luke Tenuta, Donovan Jennings, Lecitus Smith.
IDL (5): Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden
The Packers haven't added interior defensive linemen until undrafted free agency, and that shows you how good the front office feels about their pieces. Ford and the other guys will most likely fight for practice squad spots.
Released: Jonathan Ford, Spencer Waege, James Ester, Keonte Schad.
EDGE (5): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Arron Mosby
The first four are locks. After that, it's a competition against the field. Brenton Cox had a good game in Denver, but to make the team they will had to be short elsewhere — to keep him here, for example, I had to cut Sean Clifford.
Arron Mosby had a couple of good plays in Denver and helped his case. On Saturday, he had two wild highlights — a sack and an interception dropping in coverage — to push for the spot, possibly surpassing Brenton Cox.
Released: Brenton Cox, Keshawn Banks, Deslin Alexandre, Brevin Allen, Zach Morton.
LB (6): Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty'Ron Hopper, Kristian Welch
The most difficult decision might be between Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch. They are both solid depth pieces and special teamers. While Wilson was ahead for most of camp and preseason, Welch made a strong case with a good performance in Denver and had an interception against the Ravens. So I decided to keep them both. Welch isn't a guarantee, but he's extremely useful for a bottom of the roster piece.
Released: Ralen Goforth, Christian Young, Chris Russell.
CB (6): Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, Kalen King
The cornerback position is relatively easy to project, unless they decide to keep more than six players. Kalen King isn't guaranteed a roster spot as a seventh-rounder, but Gutekunst likes to keep his picks and he has a high upside. Robert Rochell is a valuable special teamer, but a hip injury made him miss the preseason finale and hindered his chances.
Released: Robert Rochell, Gemon Green, LJ Davis.
S (5): Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, Anthony Johnson Jr.
McKinney and the rookies are the locks, even though Oladapo hasn't done much at this point. Anthony Johnson Jr., projected to be a starter before the draft, is now fighting for a roster spot with the other safeties and with other positions too, but it seems like he will make it based on his projected role.
Released: Benny Sapp III, Zayne Anderson.
ST (3): K Anders Carlson, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matthew Orzech
I had Greg Joseph in my previous projections, but a rough practice on Tuesday basically decided the battle. Anders Carlson is younger, has a higher ceiling and a longer contract. A 54-yard field goal in the opening drive against the Ravens cemented that, even though Joseph also had a solid game, converting two field goals — including a 55-yarder.
Alex Hale is now an International Pathway Program designated player, so he's expected to be back on the practice squad without counting against the 16-man PS limit.
Released: K Greg Joseph, K Alex Hale.
Former Packers draft pick makes big play to bolster his spot on the 53-man roster
Anders Carlson converted a 54-yard field goal
