Packers way too early 53-man roster projection after the first wave of free agency and key offseason moves

Packers still have a lot of work to do.

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Nov 10, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Savion Williams (83) during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field.
Nov 10, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Savion Williams (83) during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Green Bay Packers made their first wave of moves, with some roster cuts, a couple of trades, and three external additions in free agency. Some old faces are gone, some new faces are in, and it’s time to put together our first 53-man roster projection.

Quarterback (2)

  • In: Jordan Love, Desmond Ridder
  • Out: Kyle McCord

It’s still possible that the Packers find a new backup quarterback to replace Malik Willis. Right now, though, Ridder is expected to be the immediate backup, while youngster Kyle McCord tries to secure a practice squad spot.

Running backs (3)

  • In: Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks
  • Out: Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez

Jacobs and Brooks are roster locks. Lloyd should be the RB2 based on projections, but health is always the point with him — he’s barely played throughout his NFL career due to multiple injuries. If he doesn’t give signs of improvement, the Packers will open a competition between Strong and Martinez, who finished last season on the practice squad, or even adding an external piece.

Wide receiver (6)

  • In: Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore
  • Out: Jakobie Keeney-James, Isaiah Neyor, Will Sheppard

Watson, Golden, and Reed are locks. Wicks tends to make the team too, but there’s a scenario where the Packers opt to trade him instead — he’s entering the final year of his deal, just like Watson and Reed. Savion and Moore theoretically fight for a similar role, but Williams can offer more to the offense, while Moore is a better returner.

Tight ends (4)

  • In: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney
  • Out: McCallan Castles, Messiah Swinson

Kraft is the only roster lock, but Musgrave and Whyle had real roles after Kraft got hurt last season. Dabney was active for a game too, so he’s a little ahead of the others. This is a position where the Packers could certainly add late in the draft to find more long-term options.

Offensive line (10)

  • In: Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Zach Tom, Darian Kinnard, Jacob Monk, John Williams, Travis Glover, Donovan Jennings
  • Out: Brant Banks, Karsen Barnhart, Dalton Cooper

The first six of the list above are basically roster locks. Outside of that, though, it’s a real competition that may gain several new competitors in the draft. Williams and Glover missed the entire 2025 season with injuries, so it’s hard to know where exactly they’re at. The other guys are basically practice squad, developmental pieces.

Interior of the defensive line (5)

  • In: Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Jonathan Ford
  • Out: Nazir Stackhouse, Dante Barnett (IPP), Anthony Campbell, Jaden Crumedy, James Ester
  • PUP: Jordon Riley

Wyatt, Hargrave, and Brooks are the roster locks. Brinson, Ford, and Stackhouse are competing for probably two spots, and the roster battle will depend on how they will fit Jonathan Gannon’s scheme upfront — the three can make the roster at the same time, but that depends on needs elsewhere and how Riley is after tearing his Achilles late in December — at this point, it’s unclear when he will be ready to go, but it’s possible that he starts the season on PUP.

Edge defenders (5)

  • In: Micah Parsons, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver

It’s wild that all the players current in the edge room would make the roster. But this says more about the lack of depth than anything else. After losing Kingsley Enagbare in free agency and trading Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys, there isn’t much room for competition for now — even though the draft can create some tough decisions down the road.

Linebackers (5)

  • In: Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann
  • Out: Kristian Welch, Jamon Johnson

Cooper and Franklin are projected to start, and McDuffie is a valuable depth piece too. Because Niemann is a solid special teamer, Hopper will have to find a real defensive role to make the team. Welch is that player who goes to the practice squad and can be elevated for gameday when needed.

Cornerbacks (6)

  • In: Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Bo Melton, Jaylin Simpson, Kamal Hadden
  • Out: Shemar Bartholomew, Tyron Herring

Melton can be here or at wide receiver, but he brings value for special teams too. Hadden suffered a serious injury and can get a little behind in the competition, but him and Simpson both can be out if the Packers add more to the position in the draft.

Safeties (4)

  • In: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo
  • Out: Johnathan Baldwin, Mark Perry

McKinney, Williams, and Bullard are locks. Oladapo isn’t, but he has been decent when called upon at safety and is a solid special teamer.

Special teams (3)

  • In: Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matthew Orzech
  • Out: Lucas Havrisik

The Packers paid a $1 million roster bonus to McManus on Friday, so he’s the kicker until proven otherwise. Havrisik will have to be better and more consistent throughout training camp to get the job.

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