The Green Bay Packers wrapped up what was likely their final meaningful preseason action with starters against the Denver Broncos, a 33-13 win. Next week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals will be reserved for backups and third-stringers, with the starters expected to participate only in the joint practice. That makes the results from this Broncos matchup all the more significant for evaluating the roster heading into Week 1.

Winners

Running backs

The Packers are running much more outside zone concepts this preseason, and the results have been encouraging. Running back Josh Jacobs didn’t play, still recovering from an injury, but MarShawn Lloyd and Pierre Strong Jr. both saw extended action. Lloyd scored a touchdown on an 11-yard Texas route reception, though he wasn’t particularly effective on the ground with six carries for 17 yards (2.8 yards per carry). Strong was the more impressive rusher, averaging 4.6 yards per carry on eight attempts for 37 yards. Denver’s defensive front, particularly with the starters on the field, presented a tough challenge. The overall outlook for the running back room behind Jacobs looks more positive than the pre-training camp perception would indicate.

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Kicker Trey Smack

The rookie sixth-round pick continued his dominant preseason with another convincing performance. Smack converted three field goals and two extra points in the first half alone, including a 59-yard field goal. Whether you agreed with the Packers spending draft capital on a kicker or not, Smack has been a revelation this preseason and is giving Green Bay legitimate hope that its long-running kicking issues are finally solved.

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Cornerback Kamal Hadden

The depth piece is fully healthy after suffering a gruesome injury late last season, and he looks ready to be an impactful piece. Hadden had tackles for loss and was active throughout the game, establishing himself as the top slot option behind Javon Bullard, who’s still recovering from a foot injury. Hadden wasn’t necessarily a favorite to make the 53-man roster earlier in training camp, but it’s certainly trending in that direction over the past few weeks.

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Losers

Guard Jager Burton

The rookie fifth-round pick started at left guard with Aaron Banks still sidelined, and he had some tough moments. Beyond the typical rookie struggles, the more concerning development is Burton’s diminishing path to a Week 1 starting role. He has played exclusively at left guard this preseason, and Banks should return by the opener. Meanwhile, the Packers have used Jacob Monk at right guard instead of Burton. Monk has also taken reps at center with the second team, and his flexibility to play multiple interior positions has earned praise from the coaching staff. When Banks reclaims the left guard spot, Monk will likely be ahead of Burton in the pecking order on the right side.

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Edge defender Barryn Sorrell

The former fourth-round pick from last year’s draft wasn’t able to generate much pressure against the Broncos, and Brenton Cox was arguably more effective as a pass rusher on the night. Without Micah Parsons available, Sorrell is still expected to start opposite Lukas Van Ness, and that reality is difficult for Green Bay. The Packers may struggle to generate consistent pressure without sending disguised blitzes. Denver does have one of the best offensive lines in football, so the matchup was far from favorable, but it wasn’t an inspiring performance from Sorrell.

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Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper

Cooper is a great player and a significant part of the Packers’ future, but his night against the Broncos wasn’t flawless. He gave up a big touchdown while the starters were on the field, and coverage is supposed to be one of his calling cards. Broncos running back RJ Harvey, a talented receiving back out of the backfield, outran Cooper on a well-designed play to score. Cooper still showed his versatility as a blitzer and run defender, but the coverage breakdown from the third-year linebacker stood out.

The Packers now turn their attention to joint practices with Arizona before a Cardinals preseason finale reserved for depth evaluation. The performances from this Broncos game, though, will carry far more weight in final roster decisions and Week 1 depth chart construction.