Roster Projection 1.0

As the Packers begin their joint practices with the New Orleans Saints in anticipation of Friday night's exhibition game, I want to compile a list of players at each position who I feel will make the 53 player roster. By 3pm today, the Packers had to get down from 90 to 85 players by making cuts, which they did. The five players that they cut include TE Dominique Dafney, OL Cole Schneider, OLB Randy Ramsey, CB Donte Vaughn, and RB BJ Baylor. This is in addition to LB Ellis Brooks who was also released. This means that the current roster sits at 84 players, so there is potential for another signing to occur.

There were several factors that I considered as I crafted this initial 53 player roster. Those factors include draft status, experience in the league, training camp development, depth at the position, and showing in the first exhibition game.

QB (2)

Aaron Rodgers

Jordan Love

Unpacking it: The four-time league MVP will be the obvious starter. Entering year 18, Rodgers shows no sign of slowing down. In his third season, Love will have more opportunities in the preseason to showcase his continued development. In the first exhibition game, he showed that he has made significant strides and has the potential to be a starter.

RB (3)

Aaron Jones

AJ Dillon

Tyler Goodson

Unpacking it: Jones and Dillon make up a two-headed monster of a running attack. Dillon brings the thunder to Jones' lightning. They are co-starters and Matt LaFleur has been showing off many sets in practice that involve both players being on the field at the same time. With Dillon under contract next year, I stand by my earlier hot take that Jones will not be on the team next year (unless a contract restructure happens), so here I have the Packers keeping a player whose athletic profile is very similar to Jones'. Goodson showed off his speed and elusiveness in the first exhibition game. Patrick Taylor is likely a cut candidate because his skillset is very similar to Dillon's, so keeping him would be redundant. Something to keep an eye on is the ACL recovery of Kylin Hill. Prior to his injury in week eight of last season, he was the primary kick returner.

WR (7)

Allen Lazard

Randall Cobb

Sammy Watkins

Amari Rodgers

Christian Watson

Romeo Doubs

Juwann Winfree

Unpacking it: I know what you are thinking — Didn't he just write last week that Watkins wouldn't make the team? Yes, yes I did. However, after today's joint practice with the Saints, Rodgers made it clear that the young receivers need to be more consistent. Despite the ascension of the receivers corps, I think Rodgers will make a case to keep Watkins around. Assuming he can stay healthy — he can clearly make plays — he should be an asset to the team. The speculation all summer has been over whether the Packers would keep 6 or 7 receivers. Here, I have them keeping 7. Davante Adams received about 80% of the targets, so I think keeping an additional player for some of the target share and depth will be important. Besides, there is a need for players at the bottom of the depth chart to play special teams. With the new emphasis on special teams, it is helpful if the players have game experience. Missing out on this year's roster is Malik Taylor.

TE (4)

Robert Tonyan

Marcedes Lewis

Josiah Deguara

Tyler Davis

Unpacking it: With Tonyan being removed from the PUP list, he looks to regain his pre-injury form. If he can recapture his chemistry with Aaron Rodgers from 2020, he should help tremendously in the passing game. In the blocking game, Lewis continues to be one of the best in the game. This, coupled with his strong leadership, makes him a roster lock. Deguara has shown that he can both block and catch the ball. Before the news of his release, I initially had Dominique Dafney making the roster over Tyler Davis. However, it is clear that LaFleur and the organization think rather highly of Davis and have been praising his ability all summer long. This is despite his poor performance against the 49ers. The Packers did sign another TE on Monday in Nate Becker. He is mostly a blocking tight end and I do not see him making the roster.

OL (9)

Elgton Jenkins

Yosh Nijman

Jon Runyan Jr.

Josh Myers

Royce Newman

Zach Tom

Jake Hanson

Sean Rhyan

Cole Van Lanen

Unpacking it: If the last two season have proven anything, it is that depth along the offensive line is of the utmost importance. Jenkins return is probably one of the best pieces of news we could receive in regards to the O-line. This is, of course, aside from a hopeful return of all-pro LT David Bakhtiari who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained late December 2020. At the current time he is still on the PUP list, although he has been seen with the rehab group during practice. His return would buoy the offensive line and restore its strength and depth. In the meantime, I expect the Packers to be scouring the free agent pool and cut players for a cheap, proven veteran.

DL (6)

Kenny Clark

Jarran Reed

TJ Slaton

Dean Lowry

Devonte Wyatt

Jack Heflin

Unpacking it: Clark finally has some reinforcements, and it has shown, practice after practice. What was once a glaring position of need has now become one of the strongest positions on the team. I think many would not anticipate Heflin, an UDFA from Iowa, making the roster again. I, however, think that he will push for the sixth spot — should the team keep six players. He continues to make his presence known in the run game and was credited with four tackles (one TFL) in the first exhibition game.

OLB (5)

Rashan Gary

Preston Smith

Tipa Galeai

Jonathan Garvin

Kingsley Enagbare

Unpacking it: Based on observations in practice, Gary has a strong chance to make his first Pro Bowl this year. He has been absolutely living and making a home in the backfield. Add in Preston Smith, now you have two players who can wreck a game for a QB. Depth at this position is a necessity in allowing Gary and Smith to have a breather, so I have the team keeping five players. Galeai and Enagbare both had a good showing in last Friday's game. Garvin made last year's roster, so I expect him to do the same. I had Randy Ramsey competing for a spot and almost had him written in before the news came out about his release. Unfortunately injuries greatly derailed any chance that he had at contributing in Green Bay.

ILB (4)

De'Vondre Campbell

Quay Walker

Krys Barnes

Isaiah McDuffie

Unpacking it: Campbell returned after a one-year deal that he grossly outplayed. In his first season, he earned all-pro honors and was offered a five-year $50 million contract that paid him like one. The Packers then drafted rookie Quay Walker from Georgia this spring. Those two should start. Barnes, a 2020 UDFA, will rotate in regularly as well. He graded out well last year against the run. Whereas McDuffie's greatest contributions will likely be on special teams. That is where he received the majority of his snaps last year and in the first exhibition game.

CB (6)

Jaire Alexander

Eric Stokes

Rasul Douglas

Shemar Jean-Charles

Keisan Nixon

Rico Gafford

Unpacking it: Alexander and Stokes will be the starting cornerbacks. Last year's surprise signee Douglas will also start in certain packages. Depending on the week-to-week matchup, it sounds as though he and Alexander will play the slot CB role. Jean-Charles and Nixon are almost locks because of their contribution on ST. Many do not think that Gafford will make the team, but I feel as though he would be an excellent gunner on ST. If he does not make the roster or get signed by another team, anticipate his return to the practice squad.

S (4)

Adrian Amos

Darnell Savage

Shawn Davis

Dallin Leavitt

Unpacking it: Amos has quietly made a name for himself over the last three years in GB. Although he is not yet a household name across the league, he has graded out as one of the best safeties over the last three years. Savage should continue his development in becoming a dependable free safety. His biggest knock is that he has struggled to haul in interceptions. Davis has essentially locked up the third safety role, with Leavitt contributing on special teams. However, he is currently injured. If his return is not imminent, expect Tariq Carpenter to make the roster over him.

Specialists (3)

K - Mason Crosby

P - Pat O'Donnell

LS - Jack Coco

Unpacking it: Crosby's return from injury will be something to keep an eye on. After an uninspiring game from rookie kicker Gabe Brkic, he was released and the team signed Ramiz Ahmed who played for the Pittsburg Maulers of the USFL this spring. If the Packers opt to keep a kicker on the PS (I expect them to), Ahmed will be the one. O'Donnell will hopefully bring some consistency and reliability to what has become a rather unreliable position in GB in recent years. Speaking of inconsistent, the LS position is something to keep a close eye on. Coco is the lone LS on the roster, so he gets the roster spot by default. However, I expect the organization to look high and low for potential competitors as cuts happen across the league.

What do you think of my initial roster prediction? Post your thoughts in the comments below. 👇

Unofficial Depth Chart

(updated 08/15/2022)

https://www.packers.com/team/depth-chart