Tag Archives: Matt LaFleur

Packers Prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft: Defense

Welcome back to part two of our look ahead at the Packers 2024 NFL draft. If you missed the first part of this series looking at the offensive players, check it out here! Today, it’s time to look at the players on defense the Packers may look at in the 2024 NFL draft.

This list will include players eligible for the 2024 NFL draft that fit those typical Packers thresholds. With this season being such a mystery, the list will be longer than usual; although, like my previous part, I will not be including players like Jared Verse or Kool-Aid McKinstry, because I don’t see any possibility of Green Bay drafting them. The players are also in no particular order.

Defensive line:

Credit: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

With the four defensive linemen the Packers have drafted recently, I don’t think they draft one early, but you never know.

Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
Keith Randolph Jr. – Illinois
Tyleik Williams – Ohio State
Leonard Taylor – Miami
DeWayne Carter – Duke
Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
Darrell Jackson Jr. – FSU
Kris Jenkins – Michigan
Ty Hamilton – Ohio State
Maason Smith – LSU
J.J. Pegues – Ole Miss
Justin Eboigbe – Alabama
Alfred Collins – Texas
Jordan Kelley – Oklahoma
Patrick Jenkins – Tulane
John Tuitupou – Hawaii

Edge Rusher:

Credit: Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

This is another position that the Packers have invested in heavily recently. I don’t see them drafting one early, but they might take one later for depth.

J.T. Tuimoloau – Ohio State
Laiatu Latu – UCLA
Bralen Trice – Washington
Jack Sawyer – Ohio State
Trajan Jeffcoat – Arkansas
Rondell Bothroyd – Oklahoma
Jordan Burch – Oregon
Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
Deontae Craig – Iowa
Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
Isaac Ukwu – Ole Miss
RJ Oben – Duke
Ashton Gillotte – Louisville
Dayon Hayes – Pittsburgh
Jack Sullivan – USC
Van Fillinger – Utah
Abi Nwabuoku-Okonj – James Madison

Linebackers:

Another position they have somewhat invested in lately. De’Vondre Campbell has a $14 million dollar cap hit in 2024 and he will be 31. They may still keep him, but I could see them moving on in 2025, which means they may be looking for his eventual successor.

Tommy Eichenberg – Ohio State
Curtis Jacobs – Penn State
Jestin Jacobs – Oregon
Junior Colson – Michigan
Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Geogia
Jackson Sirmon – Cal
Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington
Geoff Cantin-Arku – Memphis
Travion Brown – ASU
Dallas Gant – Toledo
Marlowe Wax Jr. – Syracuse
Steele Chambers – Ohio State
Ben Bywater – BYU
Jamoi Hodge – TCU
Jack Kiser – Notre Dame
Nikhai Hill-Green – Charlotte
Easton Gibbs – Wyoming

Cornerbacks:

This group could be interesting, depending on what happens with Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas. Can Stokes get healthy and back to the way he played as a rookie? Do the Packers keep Douglas and his $11 million cap hit at 30 years old? Do they extend Keisean Nixon?

Fentrell Cypress II – Florida State
Shyheim Battle – NC State
T.J. Tampa – Iowa State
Cam Hart – Notre Dame
Duce Chestnut – LSU
Jahdae Barron – Texas
DJ James – Auburn
Jason Marshall Jr. – Florida
Denzel Burke – Ohio State
Trey Amos – Alabama
Deantre Prince – Ole Miss
AJ Woods – Pittsburgh
Max Melton – Rutgers
Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
Devin Kirkwood – UCLA
Alex Hogan – Houston
Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
Marcus Banks – Mississippi State
Nicktroy Fortune – UTSA
Christian Roland-Wallace – USC
Storm Duck – Louisville
Noah Avinger – SDSU
Jakorey Hawkins – Wyoming
Micah Abraham – Marshall
Daquan Evans – USF

Safeties:

This is obviously a major position of need. The only safety under contract for 2024 is Anthony Johnson Jr. and he was just a 7th round pick. While he looks like he has some potential upside, they still need to fill out the rest of the group — and will probably be replacing Darnell Savage. They will need at least one starter, if not two.

Kamren Kinchens – Miami
Andrew Mukuba – Clemson
Calen Bullock – USC
LaMiles Brooks – Georgia Tech
Rod Moore – Michigan
Tyler Nubin – Minnisota
Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
Patrick McMorris – Cal
Beau Brade – Maryland
MJ Griffin – Louisville
Kitan Oladapo – Oregon State
Seyi Oladipo – Boise State
Bud Clark – TCU
Dez Malone – San Diego State
Morice Norris – Fresno State
R.J. Mickens – Clemson
Cooper DeJean – Iowa
Kenny Logan – Kansas
DeShawn Gaddie Jr. – Ole Miss
Evan Williams – Oregon
Tra Fluellen – Middle Tennessee State
Jack Howell – Colorado State
Ayden Hector – Colorado State

As always, you can always view my database if you want a deeper dive on these and other NFL draft prospects.

Final 53-Man Packers Roster Prediction

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It is now time for my final 53-man Packers roster prediction. The Packers have said they will announce their “final” roster on Tuesday, so I am putting this out on Monday to “call my shot”.

It has been an interesting training camp for sure. It has seemed as if most of the roster spots have been locked up for awhile, and it has really come down to how many players do you want to keep at each positions. Do you keep nine or ten offensive linemen? Do you keep five wide receivers? or six? or seven? How many linebackers? etc…

I think this will be a fluid roster throughout the season; but here is my best guess at the Packers initial 53-man roster:

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Offense

Quarterbacks: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

This position is pretty easy to project; nothing much else to say here.

Running backs: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor

Some have suggested they keep two since they kept only two on the initial roster last year, but I think that was due to them expecting Kylin Hill back soon. Taylor brings every skill set to the field the front office has said they want out of a #3 running back.

Wide Receivers: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath, Grant DuBose

There have been some suggesting keeping seven. I just can’t see that happening. Head coach Matt LaFleur barely uses four receiver sets, and uses a lot of 12 personnel. That would mean two receivers would be inactive every game. Samouri Toure has been the least impressive. He hasn’t taken the second-year leap that was expected. I could see them trading him. DuBose has flashed and Heath has been too good to cut.

Tight End/H-Back: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Austin Allen, Josiah Deguara

I think Allen is essentially the 53rd player on the roster, because he may not be on the roster for long if someone is cut they feel might be better.

Offensive line: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Zach Tom, Yosh Nijman, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Caleb Jones

Cutting Royce Newman does leave Green Bay a bit light at guard, but of course Tom can play guard as well. If they want to keep that depth, expect Jones to be replaced by Newman.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Defense

Defensive line: Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden

I know Jonathan Ford has shown a couple flashes in camp and preseason, but I don’t think it’s enough to keep a player who would essentially be the third nose tackle.

Edge Rushers: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Lukas Van Ness, Justin Hollins, Brenton Cox

I personally would think Cox could make it to the practice squad, but it seems Green Bay doesn’t. I could see a point in the season, if there are a number of injuries at another position, that he is the one cut.

Linebacker: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Eric Wilson, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter

Carpenter was the only question mark here. Packers special teams coach Rich Bisaccia’s influence on the roster, I think, causes them to keep him.

Cornerback: Rasul Douglas, Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine

There’s not much to say here. I think Ballentine makes it due to his special teams play, and that he’s an okay corner.

Safety: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Dallin Leavitt, Anthony Johnson

I would like to see them keep Jonathan Owens around because he provides another veteran to a pretty meh group. However, he didn’t do enough, I feel, for the Packers to want to keep a sixth safety. Personally, I would cut Leavitt since Ford and Moore are good special teams players, but I don’t think they do it.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Special Teams

Punter: Daniel Whelan; Long Snapper: Matthew Orzech; Kicker: Anders Carlson

I would have brought in competition for Carlson. He probably needs a year on the practice squad.

As always you can read anything I’ve written on the Packers or the draft here.

Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction 1.0

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It’s been awhile, I had to take a bit of a break post draft, but am now ready to get back in the groove. This will be my first Green Bay Packers roster prediction of the off-season.

With this being the first one of the off-season we won’t go into too much detail on depth chart, playing time, or even practice squad yet; probably in the next one. So let’s get to it!

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Offense

Quarterback (2):

Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

This one is pretty easy; Love will be the guy, we all know that. Clifford was a fifth-round pick, and the only other quarterback on the roster is Danny Etling. As a rookie, Clifford is probably already a better QB than Etling.

The front office could bring in a vet, but I would still find it hard to believe they would cut a fifth-round pick. Maybe they keep three quarterbacks, if the vet at least shows he is a little better than Clifford.

Running back (3):

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Lew Nichols III

The first two are obvious. Nothing much else to say there. The third spot comes down to Tyler Goodson, Lew Nichols, or Patrick Taylor. Taylor has been in Green Bay for three seasons. While he has shown he can play at the NFL level, he just hasn’t shown enough progression for the Packers to keep him around.

With Goodson, he could make the roster if the Packers decide to keep four, but I doubt as the third because you want a guy who can do everything for that spot and his pass pro is pretty bad.

Tight end (4):

Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis

This position is pretty cut-and-dry. Kraft and Musgrave are, of course, both day two picks who will probably see the majority of the snaps this season at tight end. Deguara is the fullback/H-back, and Davis is the special teamer/occasional tight end. His spot is the most in danger, but there isn’t much behind him. If Austin Allen can show something in preseason, he could beat him out.

Wide Receiver (6):

Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Grant DuBose, Bo Melton

The first four are pretty much locks to make the roster. Watson and Doubs will be the starters with Reed playing out of the slot. Wicks and DuBose have upside, and both are solid blockers. Wicks has just 18 career snaps on special teams, where DuBose has 97, so he will have to show he can learn it.

Toure and Melton will be in a fight for the 6th spot. I kept Melton over Toure because he can be a gadget/RB/returner/slot, where Toure is pretty much just a slot. A lot will be depend on if the Packers are willing to go light or heavy at another position. The Packers could also trade Melton or Toure.

Offensive line (9):

David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, John Runyan Jr., Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Rasheed Walker, Royce Newman

I would say eight of these guys are pretty much locks to make the roster (Bakh, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, Nijman, Tom, and Newman). That leaves one spot to be fought over by Jake Hanson, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, and Rasheed Walker. Walker and Hanson are the only two with any real positional versatility, but Hanson isn’t very good.

Tom and Jenkins can both play center, and the Packers have a number of guards already. Walker could play left or right tackle, and could train to play guard as well. Tenuta and Jones are right tackles only. Jones did play some left tackle in the preseason, but I wouldn’t trust him there in a regular season game. If they go with 10, then it’s between Hanson or Jones. I would go with Jones.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Defense

Defensive Line (5):

Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks

This position is mostly cut-and-dry, as well. Clark, Slaton, Wyatt, and Wooden are locks. Brooks is close, since he is a draft pick and has shown he can rush the passer and the Packers like defensive linemen that can collapse the pocket. He has some versatility as well. The only question is do they keep a 6th?

I don’t think so, since they use so much sub-package defense and Ford didn’t play last season and didn’t do much in pre-season, either. They could easily get him on the practice squad.

Credit: Justin Fine/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Edge Rushers (5):

Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Justin Hollins, Keshawn Banks. PUP: Rashan Gary

Gary tore his ACL in November, so even if he’s ahead of schedule that still puts him ready to play at the end of September or early October. PUP is four weeks now, so that pretty much lines up. Smith, Enagbare, Van Ness, and Hollins are all pretty much locks.

I chose Hollins because he showed he can get after the quarterback a bit last season, can defend the run, and can play some special teams. Despite poor testing, Banks is more athletic than Brenton Cox Jr. (he was dealing with a hamstring issue during his pro day); although Cox does play with more power and is better against the run.

With your last edge rusher spot you are looking for someone who’s athletic, can play special teams, and whose motor is non-stop. That is Banks. Cox had motor issues in college, and he isn’t fast or quick, and has no special teams experience. Banks has almost 200 special teams snaps in his career. Once Gary is back, Banks likely goes to the practice squad.

Linebackers (5):

DeVondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter, Eric Wilson

The top four here are set in stone. The only question is do they keep five or six? Wilson would be close to a lock. The only other off-ball linebacker is Jimmy Phillips, who has a legit chance to make the roster.

I think they could stash him on the practice squad for a season and use him as a game day call up if there are injuries. He is a good linebacker and has a lot of special teams experience, playing 137 snaps just this past season.

Cornerback (6):

Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine. IR/PUP: Eric Stokes

Alexander, Douglas, and Nixon are locks, and SJC is close to it unless he bombs in the pre-season. He has special teams experience and can back up Nixon in the slot. Valentine is an athletic freak and a good special teams play, and of course has potential down the line.

Ballentine is another Gutekunst type; an athletic freak who is a good special teams player. You could do worse with your 6th CB.

I have Stokes on either the in-season IR or PUP, because we just don’t know where he is in his recovery.

Safety (5):

Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, Rudy Ford, Anthony Johnson Jr., Tarvarius, Moore

The Packers have eight total safeties on the roster right now, and outside of Savage their aren’t many roster locks. Due to his youth and starting experience, I would pencil Owens in as a starter this season. Ford showed last season he can play from scrimmage, if needed, and is a good special teams player.

Johnson Jr., of course, has down-the-line starter potential, and Moore is like a more physically talented version of Leavitt — and he still has some untapped potential.

Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction: Special Teams

Special Teams (3):

Anders Carlson, Matt Orzech, Patt O’Donnell

Carlson is a lock, despite what Packers coaches have said and will say leading up to the season. He is a kicker who was drafted in the 5th round — unless he is complete garbage they wont cut him.

Orzech is experienced and received some guaranteed money, so much like Carlson, unless he stinks up the joint he is a lock for the roster. O’Donnell, though, will have a fight for his spot with Dan Whelan, who I think is a year away but I would not be surprised if they kept him over O’Donnell.

There you guys have it, my early 53-man roster prediction for the Packers 2023 season. As always, you can always read any of my other articles here at ATB Netowrk.

Packers 2023 NFL Draft Outlook: Which positions are of importance?

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I know it’s probably too early for most Packers fans to be thinking draft, but let’s look into a Packers 2023 NFL Draft outlook. I am going to separate the positions into: yes, maybe, or no. Now obviously things can change depending on free agency, injuries, trades, etc…You can play with the Packers 2023 cap at Over The Cap to give you an idea of what they are looking at going into 2023 in regards to free agency and the cap.

If you want to look into specific players for the 2023 NFL draft you can read some of my other NFL draft articles. Now, let’s get to it!

Yes?

So these are positions that I am expecting Gutekunst and the Packers to target early in the 2023 NFL draft (fourth round or earlier) pretty much regardless of what happens or the outlook on the position come year’s end.

Edge rusher:

Outside of Preston Smith and Rashaan Gary, there is very little talent at this position. Smith will also be over 30 in 2023, and Gutey tends to let guys walk around that age. Kingsley Enagbare may eventually become a decent #3 type, but they still need more depth and someone to eventually replace Smith. Regardless of what happens, I expect them to draft at least one in the first four rounds, possibly two.

Safety:

This position is some what similar to edge. There is no depth behind Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. All the guys behind them are, at best, #4 type players. Tariq Carpenter is a linebacker playing safety, and a guy who should only be playing special teams anyway.

Also both Savage and Amos will be free agents next offseason — the age that Gutey lets guys walk unless they are All-Pro or Pro Bowl level players. It’s possible he bucks that trend, but with their cap issues they may only be able to re-sign one or the other. So, more than likely they are looking at having to replace one of their starters in 2023.

Wide Receiver:

You may be thinking “But Brian, they just drafted three receivers?”. Yes that is true, but don’t forget: Allen Lazard and Sammy Watkins will be free agents, and Randall Cobb is essentially playing on a one-year deal. So, all three of them could be gone, and I expect at least two of them to be gone. Also, Samouri Toure was just a seventh round pick and the history shows most don’t make it. Essentially, there is a good chance he doesn’t make the roster in 2022.

You are left with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Amari Rodgers who are locks for 2023. Yes, they could sign a veteran, but again their cap situation will not leave them with much money to sign one. I would think if they do it will be for around what Watkins signed for. Even still, they need more talent in depth.

I don’t expect them to draft three like they did this year, but would not be surprised if they drafted one on day two and another late on day three.

Defensive line:

There are a few free agents at this position that can really sap the depth. Both Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed will be free agents after the 2022 season, and Jack Heflin might not even make the roster in 2022. So the Packers would be left with Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, and maybe Jonathan Ford (who I do not see making the roster in ’22).

Now we are hoping Slaton develops, but we just don’t know. They still need depth. With just those three guys on the roster, they will need at least a fourth and fifth. Your fourth guy tends to see a decent amount of playing time in the rotation.

So they may not draft someone in the first or second round, but don’t be surprised if they draft one in the third or fourth.

Maybe?

The 2023 NFL Draft outlook for the Packers at these positions will depend heavily on what happens in 2022 with players in regards to their play, free agency, and or how they come back from injury.

Tight end:

This position really depends on a number of factors. How does Robert Tonyan come back from his ACL? Is he the player he was in 2020 or similar to the guy he was in 2021? Big dog is probably in his last season in Green Bay and probably the NFL. But does he still look like he can continue to play, or has Father Time finally come for him?

As for Josiah Deguara, does he finally get back to the player he flashed he could be as a rookie before tearing his ACL? Or is the player he was in 2021 the player he is now? Finally, there is Tyler Davis. Does he continue to build upon what he flashed in 2021? Or was he just a flash in the pan and a bottom of the roster type guy?

There are a lot of questions to be answered at this position in 2022. Once we have those answers, we will have a better idea of how big of a need the position will be in the draft. I still feel they end up drafting at least one tight end somewhere, but it could just be on day three.

Offensive Tackle:

A position that is somewhat similar to tight end. There are a number of questions that need to be answered. Mostly injury related. If everyone gets healthy and is back to their old selves then this becomes a non-need. David Bakhtiari needs to be healthy and show he can at least play at a close level to his pre-injury self and the same with Elgton Jenkins.

If Yosh Nijman can show some progress in the preseason and early season, and Rasheed Walker shows he can play in the NFL then that will go a long way in solidifying the position. If, however, Bahktiari is a shadow of his old self or has trouble getting on the field, Nijman shows no growth. and Walker doesn’t look like he belongs this could become a big issue and the Packers will need to spend an early pick at the position (first two rounds probably).

Jenkins will also be a free agent after the season and could get a big pay day. If they don’t extend him he could get a big offer and walk.

Running back:

Another position with a lot of questions heading into 2023. Let’s start with Aaron Jones, whose cap number jumps to $20 million in 2023. There is no way Gutey is going to pay him that much. Does he take a pay cut, renegotiate his contract, or get cut outright?

If they cut him, they save $10 million on the cap. With his age and injury history, it seems like almost a certainty. If so, who is the 1B to AJ Dillion’s 1A? Does Kylin Hill show enough coming off his ACL tear to say that he can be that guy? Could Patrick Taylor or one of the undrafted rookies show something?

A lot will depend on the answers to those questions. Worst case scenario? They have to pretty much rebuild the position. Best case? They are set for the next few years and don’t need to draft the position, except maybe late day three.

Quarterback:

Everything, as always, depends on what happens with Aaron Rodgers. Do the Packers win the Super Bowl and he rides off in the sunset? Does he ask for a trade? Does Father Time hit him like a ton of bricks? Or do the Packers just decide to start the rebuild and trade him? He is impossible to cut due to the cap hit.

Then, of course, how does Jordan Love develop in the preseason? Does he even get in a regular season game?

The answers to these question will determine if they draft a QB. They could draft one in the first if everything goes south, or they could not draft one at all, or even somewhere in-between.

Special teams:

Kicker, punter, and long snapper could all be different in 2023. A lot again will depend on how they play. Mason Crosby is 38 and coming off a knee procedure. Father Time comes for everyone eventually.

Gabe Brkic has potential and may show something and the Packers keep him around to be his successor or he could fall on his face and the Packers end up having to draft a kicker in 2023. Same for Pat O’Donnell. He has been pretty average though his career and the Packers may look for an upgrade. As for long snapper, who knows?

No?

I add the question mark because you can never say 100% they won’t draft position X. You just don’t know what’s going go happen in season and how the draft ends up shaking out. Someone could drop to you that is too much of a good value so you draft them and figure it out later. But if everything goes more or less according to plan, I do not expect Gutey to draft any player from these positions early on (fourth round or earlier).

Linebacker:

Gutey just signed De’Vondre Campbell to a big contract extension, they just drafted Quay Walker at pick #22, and Krys Barnes is a very good #3. So Campbell isn’t going anywhere for at least a couple years. Walker will get at least three seasons to produce and Barnes is a restricted free agent next offseason. So the three of them should all be back in 2023. There would be no need to draft a linebacker any earlier than the sixth round.

Unless, again, someone falls to them and they take the value and figure it out later. They may try and take someone late day three to improve that fourth linebacker spot, but outside of something like that I don’t see them touching the position.

Interior Offensive line:

The Packers have recently stocked up on interior offensive linemen. In the last three years they have drafted eight players who are either interior offensive linemen or, at the very least, guys who can play inside. Simon Stepaniak is the only one of the eight who is not still with the team. A number of them have shown they can at least play at the NFL level.

With the cases of Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, and Royce Newman they have all shown they can all be starters. Jake Hanson has improved a lot since his rookie training camp and he has looked like an NFL player. Cole Van Lanen is still a wait and see, and of course so are Sean Rhyan and Zach Tom who have both seen time in practice on the interior.

It is a position that they have a lot of depth at, and I do not see any reason for them to draft one in 2023 outside of late day three.

Cornerback:

Brian Gutekunst has set Matt LaFleur up with probably the best top three corners group in the league. Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas have all played like #1 cornerbacks. The NFL has become a sub-package league, where teams are in nickel A LOT.

Joe Barry did not use dime personal very much last season. Maybe due to personnel, or due to just not liking to use it much. Either way with what Keisean Nixon showed in 2021 playing the slot for the Raiders, the Packers should be fine at dime back as well. With Shemar Jean-Charles as the #5/special teamer, Barry seems to be set at the position.

Of course I would not be surprised if they did draft one on day three to compete with SJC or Nixon, but I wouldn’t expect it any earlier than the fifth round.

Green Bay Packers: First 53 Man Roster Prediction

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My first 53 man roster predication of the year. This is post mini-camp, pre training camp. Something fans seem to forget when putting together a 53 man roster is that it NFL teams do not just pick the 53 best players. Since 1/4 of the players on a roster are going to be role players. They will need guys to play special teams, guys who can back up at multiple positions, and a balanced roster. So with my prediction I try to follow those rules. You can find the current roster here.

QB(2):

Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love

I would love for them to keep Kurt Benkert. I feel he has #2 quarterback potential, but it just doesn’t make sense in this day and age. I’m pretty sure they would love to have him back on the practice squad.

RB(3):

Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor

The top two are super easy. Jones and Dillon will see the lions share of snaps/carries. The battle will be for the #3/#4 back. With Kylin Hill coming of the ACL tear he will end up starting the season on the PUP and I feel Taylor offers the best of both worlds for the #3 spot. He can do a bit of everything and he still has some upside. Goodson and Baylor should have shots at being on the practice squad.

WR(6):

Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers

A lot of people want to keep Samori Toure and I get it, but right now I don’t see a spot on the roster for him. He struggles with press coverage and he is more of a slot receiver. The Packers already have two slot receivers. LaFleur rarely uses four receiver sets. Also with the lack of experience at wide receiver on the roster its expected they will lean on their running game and use their backs in the passing game. Toure can play special teams but so can Doubs, Lazard and Watson. So I see Toure spending a season on the practice squad getting stronger.

TE(4):

Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis, Dominique Daffney

This group was another easy group to figure out. Lewis is your blocker, Deguara is your hback, Davis is kind of the do it all guy, and Daffney is the hback/full back type guy. Robert Tonyan starts the year on the PUP. Out of the other two tight ends on the roster I think Wolf probably has the best shot at being back on the practice squad.

OL(10)

David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Sean Rhyan, Cole Van Lanen, Zach Tom, Jake Hanson, Rasheed Walker

The only debate with this group was whether to keep 9 or 10. Hanson and Van Lanen were the border line guys. With Jenkins likely starting the season on the PUP I think they go with 10 and probably Van Lanen gets cut. Every offensive lineman on this roster has positional versatility outside of Bakhtiari, Nijman and Walker. Walker could learn guard though.

Offense(25)

DL(5):

Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Jarran Reed

A number of people want to keep 6 and I get it, but there is no need. The Packers rarely run a three DL front. I don’t see the reason for keeping Jonathan Ford. He is a pure nose tackle and the Packers already have three guys on the roster capable of playing that position. He would just be a waste of a roster spot. They should easily be able to place him on the practice squad. Wyatt and Clark are the pass rushers. Reed and Lowry are kind of the do it all guys and Slaton is the developmental guy that can play some NT and provide a little pass rush.

Edge(5):

Rashawn Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Randy Ramsey, Jonathan Garvin

Gary, Smith, and Enagbare are all locks to make the roster. After them it comes down to what type of edge rushers do the Packers want as their #4/#5 guys. Historically it seems they like to keep at least one for special teams duties. That is why I kept Ramsey and Garvin because of the guys left he probably has the most potential.

LB(5):

De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Isaiah McDuffie, Ellis Brooks

Campbell and Walker will be the starters. Barnes is still good enough to see some time though. He has also shown he can play special teams and could see an increase in snaps there with a reduction of snaps from scrimmage. McDuffie is there purely for special teams. Brooks is a down the road developmental guy. He started just two years at Penn State, but also played a lot of special teams his first two years so he can contribute there while developing.

DB(10):

Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Tariq Carpenter, Raleigh Texada

I feel the top five corners are pretty much locked in at this point. Obviously Alexander, Stokes, and Douglas are your top thee. Nixon and Jean-Charles are both solid special teams players who look to be better slot corners than outside corners and the Packers lack a true slot in the top three guys. Nixon is the better corner at this point though and will see a decent amount of time in the slot with Jaire, Savage and Douglas also seeing time there. Texada is the young guy with upside who can pitch in on special teams

At safety, of course Amos and Savage are your starters. It seems Barry doesn’t use a lot of “big Nickel” or 3rd safety packages. Scott is probably the best safety on the roster when you look at the rest. He also has experience on special teams. Carpenter is a safety/linebacker hybrid who will probably see some time at both, but will spend most of his rookie season on special teams.

Defense: 24

ST(3):

Mason Crosby, Pat O’Donnell, Jack Coco

Crosby and O’Donnell are locks for obvious reasons. I went with Coco because Wirtel was terrible last year and I think they try to make a clean sweep outside of Crosby. There is the possibility that the long snapper isn’t even on the roster at this point.