The NFL’s first waiver wire of the regular season is underway, and the Green Bay Packers could be active participants. After Sunday’s league-wide roster cuts brought every team down to its initial 53-man roster, players waived since the end of the final preseason week are now running through the waiver process.

Any team can claim a player and absorb the original contract. For players with three or fewer accrued seasons, waivers are mandatory. Players with four or more accrued seasons become free agents immediately, because waivers only apply to them after the trade deadline in October.

For Green Bay, the waiver wire presents opportunities on both sides of the ball. So, let’s discuss some of the names the Packers could target.

Quarterback Will Levis as a practice squad option

Will Levis isn’t necessarily a 53-man roster target for the Packers. Green Bay made it clear the team wanted to keep just two quarterbacks, which is why the Packers traded Kyle McCord in the first place. But if Levis clears waivers (and that’s why this is worth watching), it would make all the sense in the world for Green Bay to add him to the practice squad. A former second-round pick with starting experience, Levis would provide depth at the position without disrupting the roster structure the front office has committed to.

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Offensive linemen to watch

The most obvious waiver wire target who could land directly on the 53-man roster is offensive tackle Esa Pole from the Kansas City Chiefs. It was surprising to a certain extent that Kansas City waived him, because Pole played 275 snaps at left tackle in the regular season last year. This is actually the second time the Chiefs have waived Pole. They did the same thing last season, and the New York Jets claimed him. Pole returned to the Chiefs during the season, earned a promotion to the active roster, and played multiple games. He’s a 6-foot-7, 319-pound tackle with real game experience who met with the Packers during last year’s pre-draft process. A player with that kind of size could be an upgrade over a player like Travis Glover, making Pole a name to watch.

Another offensive lineman worth monitoring is Kiran Amegadjie, formerly from the Chicago Bears. Amegadjie has some regular season experience with Chicago and also had pre-draft contact with Green Bay, which makes him a logical fit. Last season, he played 119 snaps at left tackle, four at left guard, and three at tight end as a sixth offensive lineman.

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Tight end and running back options

Tight end Justin Joly from the Denver Broncos is a rookie fifth-round pick, selected 152nd overall. He had an 80-yard touchdown in the preseason, so it was surprising that Denver decided to waive him. Considering how much the Packers need tight ends, even after trading for Mark Redman from the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay could consider Joly on the waiver wire.

At running back, the Packers have a clear need after the legal situation involving Josh Jacobs. The veteran was placed on the NFL’s commissioner exempt list and will miss the start of the season. Green Bay traded for Kaleb Johnson, but additional depth makes sense.

Jayden Blue from the Dallas Cowboys is one option. Carson Steele from the Philadelphia Eagles could make some sense too. Steele had a strong preseason and carved out a reputation as a solid preseason performer during his time with the Chiefs. He’s more of a fullback than a traditional running back, but he’s a powerful player.

The final running back worth mentioning is Amar Johnson, waived by the Los Angeles Chargers. Johnson played last year’s preseason for Green Bay and performed well, but the Packers chose not to keep him. He’s available once again.

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Defensive targets

The biggest name on the defensive side is Los Angeles Chargers off-ball linebacker Junior Colson. A third-round pick by the Chargers in 2024, Colson was highly touted coming into the league but hasn’t had much success so far. He’s back on the market.

The second defensive target is cornerback Nick Whiteside from the Detroit Lions, considered a surprise cut by Detroit. And the last name on this list is defensive tackle Colby Wooden from the Indianapolis Colts. Wooden was drafted by the Packers and played his first few NFL seasons in Green Bay before being traded to Indianapolis earlier this offseason for linebacker Zaire Franklin. The Colts decided to waive him, and while the Packers have strong depth along the interior of the defensive line with seven players, Wooden could be a potential upgrade over Warren Brinson, for example.

The waiver wire process will sort itself out quickly, but the Packers have clear needs and familiar targets on this list. General manager Brian Gutekunst has never been shy about finding roster upgrades through every available avenue, and this week’s wire could be the next one.