Green Bay Packers' 53-man roster projection after the first preseason game
The Green Bay Packers have already had several training camp practices and a preseason game, a 23-10 win over the Cleveland Browns last Saturday. A lot is still to happen with two exhibition games left, but it's time for our updated 53-man roster projection — the way to early projection from April is here. QBs […]
The Green Bay Packers have already had several training camp practices and a preseason game, a 23-10 win over the Cleveland Browns last Saturday. A lot is still to happen with two exhibition games left, but it's time for our updated 53-man roster projection — the way to early projection from April is here.
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. Last Saturday, Clifford played with the twos, but Pratt showed he has more physical talent. Over the next two games, he will have more chances to play. The Packers might decide to keep both, but Pratt has a lower chance of going through waivers unclaimed. So if they try to squeeze one of them to the practice squad, it's likely Clifford, a fifth-round pick from last year.
Released: Sean Clifford.
RB (4): Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, AJ Dillon, MarShawn Lloyd
When we did our first projection right after the draft, we considered AJ Dillon as a lock and Emanuel Wilson as a cut candidate. Based on what we saw against the Browns, it's the other way around. Wilson might actually be their second best running back, behind Jacobs, and Dillon looks the same (slow, can't create yards for himself). The Packers might very well keep four backs, because Lloyd is handling injuries and hasn't had a great camp. But if they want to keep three, Dillon might be the odd man out.
Released: Jarveon Howard, Ellis Merriweather.
WR (6): Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Grant DuBose
The five first players here seem like locks, but the battle for the sixth spot will be intriguing. Malik Heath brings more special teams acumen, which is significant for a bottom of the roster player. However, Grant DuBose had an impressive game against the Browns, with five receptions for 66 yards. The next two games will decide what happens here, but let's give the former draft pick his flowers after what he did in Cleveland.
Released: Malik Heath, 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. Joel Wilson played well against the Browns, but he's more of a practice squad type at this point.
Released: Joel Wilson, Messiah Swinson.
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, and his play against the Browns was concerning — even though it seems like he's their primary swing tackle.
Travis Glover is a sixth-round pick, but it's getting hard to justify a roster spot, and he will probably end up on the practice squad. Caleb Jones would be in my projection, but he had to go to finalize the 53.
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 UDFAs will most likely fight for practice squad spots.
Released: Jonathan Ford, Spencer Waege, James Ester.
EDGE (4): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare
The first four are locks. After that,Brenton Cox made the team last year, but he hasn't shown big signs of development. Arron Mosby and Keshawn Banks could get in, but the numbers don't favor them.
Released: Brenton Cox Jr, Keshawn Banks, Arron Mosby, Deslin Alexandre, Brevin Allen, Zach Morton, Kenneth Odumegwu.
LB (5): Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty'Ron Hopper
This group is pretty much defined, with the three veterans and two rookies. Undrafted rookie Ralen Goforth was solid against the Browns, but the practice squad is the more likely path for him.
Released: Ralen Goforth, Kristian Welch, Christian Young.
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. Rochell is a valuable special teamer, but it will be hard to get him a spot.
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, Tyler Coyle.
ST (3): K Greg Joseph, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matthew Orzech
The Packers would certainly prefer to keep Carlson around, but Joseph is simply the better kicker. He is experienced and has been better in practice. In the game, his kicks were certainly more impressive as well. The other battle is at long snapper, but it's clear that Green Bay trusts Orzech more — he had seven snaps against one from Bowden.
Released: K Anders Carlson, K Alex Hale, LS Peter Bowden.
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