Roster Projection 2.0

The Packers are nearing tomorrow's 3 pm deadline to cut down from 85 to 80 players. After two preseason games, the starters at each position are already known, although there are still some backup spots available. Some players raised their stock significantly after the second exhibition game — see Micah Abernathy — while others hurt their stock. More on that below.

QB (2)

Aaron Rodgers

Jordan Love

Unpacking it: Rodgers looks to win another MVP award. However, at this point in his career, there is really one goal in mind — to recapture another Super Bowl championship. Meanwhile, Love has continued to gain crucial game experience through the first two exhibition games. After Friday night's game against the Saints, Matt LaFleur stated, "I see a much more decisive player out there." The tape certainly shows this, too.

QB3 Danny Etling had a nice 51 yard touchdown scamper on Friday. He will make the practice squad, should the Packers elect to keep a third QB like they did last year with Kurt Benkert.

RB (3)

Aaron Jones

AJ Dillon

Tyler Goodson

Unpacking it: Jones and Dillon are the obvious two running backs to make the team. After them, the RB3 competition is wide open. Making the greatest strides towards capturing the position is UDFA Tyler Goodson. He continues to make the most of his preseason snaps. He finished against the Saints with 42 yards on 10 carries. He can also contribute in the passing game. In his final year at Iowa in 2021, Goodson had 30 receptions for 247 yards. LaFleur and Rodgers are expecting the running backs to contribute as pass catchers. LaFleur called Jones and Dillon "1A and 1A." Meanwhile, Rodgers said that it would be "very realistic" for both Jones and Dillon to have 50 targets each this season. With that said, it is clear that there is an emphasis on the RBs to help fill the void left by Davante Adam's departure. Goodson is more proven than Patrick Taylor in this area. Taylor would be a strong candidate for the expanded 16-player practice squad.

*RB Kylin Hill remains on the PUP list

WR (7)

Allen Lazard

Randall Cobb

Sammy Watkins

Amari Rodgers

Christian Watson

Romeo Doubs

Juwann Winfree

Unpacking it: There has been extensive debate in recent days amongst other beat writers that the Packers could possibly keep eight receivers. That would be an unprecedented move for an organization that has tended to stay fairly consistent with personnel decisions, even through different coaching regimes. Therefore, I still think that the Packers will only keep seven receivers. Based on players who have sat through the first two exhibition games, I would say that Lazard, Cobb, and Watkins are roster locks. The organization is also committed to recent draft picks so Rodgers, Watson and Doubs will also be making the roster. If Winfree was on the bubble, he solidified his standing with a solid performance against the Saints. He was the leading receiver in the game with three receptions for 41 yards. Two of his catches were highlight-reel worthy. His potential alone likely earns him a roster spot. On the outside looking in is rookie Samori Toure. He has made some nice catches as recently as last week in the joint practices against the Saints, but he dropped a beautiful 40-yard pass from Love that should have been hauled in. If the Pack does keep more receivers, expect him to land on the practice squad.

TE (4)

Robert Tonyan

Marcedes Lewis

Josiah Deguara

Tyler Davis (really should be someone else)

Unpacking it: Tonyan is the obvious starter, should he be ready to go week one. Veteran Lewis will continue to contribute on early passing downs as a blocker. Deguara has progressed well and is definitely making the squad. The team's perception of Tyler Davis continues to perplex me. Through training camp practices and the first two exhibition games, I have not seen any promise out of Davis. He graded out as the lowest offensive player both weeks, has graded poorly as a run blocker, and is responsible for two turnovers. On the other hand, both Nate Becker and Sal Cannella graded out better as run blockers. At this time, one of the two is likely to make the practice squad. However, I would not be altogether too surprised should one jump Davis in the depth chart. It may come down to who contributes most in Thursday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

OL (9)

David Bakhtiari

Elgton Jenkins

Yosh Nijman

Jon Runyan Jr.

Josh Myers

Royce Newman

Zach Tom

Jake Hanson

Sean Rhyan

Unpacking it: Sunday's big news was that all-pro LT David Bakhtiari was being removed from the PUP list. After 20 months of recovering from an ACL tear, Bakhtiari is "Bak"! His presence solidifies and provides much more depth for an O-line that just two weeks ago was looking far more shaky. Expect the team to have two OL players on the PS. My consideration would be Cole Van Lanen and massive OT Caleb Jones.

*I previously wrote that they would look at bringing in an outside veteran. This is not as pressing of a need, although it could still happen.

DL (6)

Kenny Clark

Jarran Reed

TJ Slaton

Dean Lowry

Devonte Wyatt

Jack Heflin

Unpacking it: The D-line continues to show up both in practice and on gameday. Reed, Clark, and Lowry are all locks to make the roster. While Slaton and Wyatt will make the roster as rotational players and because of their recent draft statuses. It is worth noting that Wyatt was rather underwhelming in limited snaps against the Saints. He was credited with no pressures and one solo tackle. Helfin has played well as a run stuffer. DL Chris Slayton has also played well against the run and plugging holes. He is a candidate for the practice squad.

OLB (5)

Rashan Gary

Preston Smith

Kingsley Enagbare

Jonathan Garvin

Kobe Jones

Unpacking it: Gary and Smith are the two starters. Enagbare is likely the frontrunner for the third position. In limited snaps this preseason, he has logged 7 pressures. While Garvin and Jones are deadlocked for OLB4. La'Darius Hamilton/Tipa Galeai are candidates for the practice squad. I imagine that only one of them will be retained.

*The team cut Chauncy Manac on Sunday, August 21st after he had generated some buzz in recent practices and logged a sack against the Saints.

ILB (4)

De'Vondre Campbell

Quay Walker

Krys Barnes

Isaiah McDuffie

Unpacking it: Campbell and Walker are the anticipated starters. Walker has shined in practice, but has yet to on gameday. He was credited with one solo and one assisted tackle against the Saints. Barnes is proficient in pass situations, but plays best against the run. After a solid performance on Friday, McDuffie has done nothing but strengthen his spot on the roster. He was flying sideline to sideline and played very well against the run. He was credited with four solo and two assisted tackles. He made an incredible strength play when he pushed C Cesar Ruiz into his own teammate to make a tackle.

CB (6)

Jaire Alexander

Eric Stokes

Rasul Douglas

Shemar Jean-Charles

Keisan Nixon

Kiondre Thomas

Unpacking it: Alexander, Stokes, and Douglas are all starters. The trio of players should make up a very strong secondary. Jean-Charles, Nixon and Thomas are good rotational CBs who will mostly play special teams. Speedster Rico Gafford could be a good practice squad candidate.

S (4)

Adrian Amos

Darnell Savage

Shawn Davis

Vernon Scott/Dallin Leavitt/Micah Abernathy

Unpacking it: Amos and Savage are the obvious starters. With Savage recovering from a hamstring injury, the backup safeties have received plenty of opportunities. Other than a missed tackle on a kickoff against the Saints, Davis has played rather well. He had a nice fumble return against the Saints. Abernathy played lights-out and was credited with four total tackles and an interception. Scott and Leavitt are currently injured, so Abernathy has a chance to make the roster.

Specialists (3)

K - Mason Crosby

P - Pat O'Donnell

LS - Jack Coco

Unpacking it: Crosby is still making his return from injury. K Ramiz Ahmed had a nice showing in his debut at Lambeau, connecting on FGs from 25 and 45 yards, while also being 2/2 on extra points. O'Donnell and Coco round out the unit. Like last season, I would anticipate the team keeping another kicker (especially with Crosby's injury), and looking into another LS. Nobody wants to experience the special teams woes that plagued the team last season.

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

Unofficial Depth Chart

(updated 08/22/2022)

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