GREEN BAY, Wis. — When the NFL makes roster cuts on Aug. 27, the dream of making the Green Bay Packers’ roster will be dashed for 38 players. Even factoring in the 69-man roster coach Matt LaFleur mentioned because of the 16-man practice squad, time is running out for about two dozen players.
Which players have secured a spot on the 2024 roster using our patent-pending Lock-O-Meter? Who is on which side of the roster bubble?
The new and improved Lock-O-Meter divides players into seven categories based on their likelihood of being included in the 53-man squad.
Here’s where things stand ahead of a preseason game at the Denver Broncos on Sunday night and the preseason finale at Lambeau Field against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
100 percent blocking: 36
Quarterbacks: Jordan, love.
Running backs: Josh Jacobs.
Recipient: Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks.
Tight ends: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft.
Offensive line: LT Rasheed Walker, LG Elgton Jenkins, C Josh Myers, RT Zach Tom, G/C Sean Rhyan, OL Jordan Morgan.
Defensive ends: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare.
Defensive Tackles: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden.
Linebackers: Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper.
Cornerbacks: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine.
Collateral: Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams.
Specialists: Fr Daniel Whelan.
No further explanation is needed here. These are the starters, key backups and top draft picks. It’s worth noting that this list includes nine defensive linemen. Will that be all the team takes into the season?
90.0 percent to 99.9 percent blocks: 3
Quarterbacks: None.
Running backs: MarShawn Lloyd.
Recipient: None.
Tight ends: None.
Offensive line: G/C Jacob Monk
Defensive ends: None.
Defensive Tackles: None.
Linebackers: None.
Cornerbacks: None.
Collateral: ^ “Anthony Johnson”.
Specialists: None.
With another good performance against the Broncos, Monk can be put in the 100 percent category. After a mediocre start to training camp, he has really stepped up his game. He may not have the ideal size, but he has the athleticism, strength and mentality. He has the potential to be a starting center in the future.
As a third-round pick, Lloyd is obviously not in danger of being released, but due to his hamstring injury, there is at least a chance he will start the season on the injured list.
Even with the signing of the impressive rookie duo Bullard and Williams, Johnson continues to make at least some appearances in the first team alongside Xavier McKinney.
65.0 percent to 89.9 percent suspensions: 8
Quarterbacks: I’m Sean Clifford.
Running backs: AJ Dillon.
Recipient: Grant DuBose, Bo Melton.
Tight ends: None.
Offensive line: None.
Defensive ends: None.
Defensive Tackles: None.
Linebackers: None.
Cornerbacks: Corey Ballentine, Kalen King,
Collateral: I am Oladapo.
Specialists: LS Matt Orzech.
Dillon appears to be in a good position because of his proven ability in the passing game. Not only is he a good pass protector, but he also ranked third among all running backs in YAC per catch last season. (You probably didn’t know that.) However, the Packers aren’t financially tied to him if they move on with Jacobs, Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson.
The battle for the best receivers will be exciting, as DuBose, Melton and Malik Heath have earned a spot or two. DuBose, who turned a series of good workouts into an excellent performance in Cleveland, and Melton, who had an impressive finish last year, are one notch ahead of Heath in the Lock-O-Meter.
As with the receivers, the depth at cornerback was impressive. Ballentine saved the Packers’ necks last year, and King was a surprise as the third-to-last pick in the draft.
As a talented fifth-round pick, Oladapo is probably assured of a spot on the roster, but making an appearance or two on defense or special teams over the next two games would be helpful. After missing the entire offseason and the start of training camp due to a broken toe sustained at the scouting combine, he really hasn’t done anything to earn a spot.
Orzech sent freshman Peter Bowden into the game twice – the former Wisconsin standout needs to improve his snap speed – but that didn’t happen automatically.
50.1 percent to 64.4 percent suspensions: 5
Quarterbacks: Michael Pratt.
Running backs: None.
Recipient: None.
Tight ends: Ben Sims, Tyler Davis.
Offensive line: OT Andre Dillard.
Defensive ends: None.
Defensive Tackles: None.
Linebackers: None.
Cornerbacks: None.
Collateral: None.
Specialists: K. Anders Carlson.
Pratt appears to be hot on Clifford’s heels in the battle for the backup spot. It will be interesting to see if preseason reports reflect that reality after Clifford threw 19 passes last week while Pratt threw just seven. It’s easy to imagine their spots on the Lock-O-Meter switching if Pratt gets the Broncos swarming.
At tight end, it’s possible that Sims and Davis will play for one spot. If the decision is based on offense, it goes to Sims. If the decision is based on special teams, it goes to Davis.
As for kickers, the consensus around the league is that the Packers want Carlson to get the job, so Greg Joseph will have to pull off a decisive knockout. So far, he hasn’t. If Carlson (or Joseph) doesn’t end the month with a bang, it will be interesting to see which kickers around the league are let go on the 27th.
Dillard, who was coached by Rashan Gary at the start of training camp, has played better in recent weeks and his experience could make him the swing tackle to start the season.
50 percent squad suspensions: 5
Quarterbacks: None.
Running backs: Emmanuel Wilson.
Recipient: Malik Heath.
Tight ends: None.
Offensive line: None.
Defensive ends: Brenton Cox.
Defensive Tackles: None.
Linebackers: Kristian Welch.
Cornerbacks: Robert Rochell.
Collateral: None.
Specialists: None.
All five players listed here have played well enough to earn a spot on the roster – and will almost certainly be on a 53-man roster this year – but the numbers may be against them.
If Lloyd is healthy, do the Packers really need Wilson? Heath’s physicality was an advantage last year, but DuBose can also block and is the more athletic receiver. Can the Packers get by with Wooden as a combo tackle/end to save a roster spot? Welch is a proven standout on special teams, but plays at a position bolstered by two Day 2 draft picks. Rochell can provide quality depth and play on special teams.
30.0 percent to 49.9 percent suspensions: 10
Quarterbacks: None.
Running backs: None.
Recipient: Samori Toure.
Tight ends: ^ “Joel Wilson”.
Offensive line: G Royce Newman, T Travis Glover, T Kadeem Telfort, T Caleb Jones.
Defensive ends: None.
Defensive Tackles: ^ “Jonathan Ford”.
Linebackers: Ralf Goforth.
Cornerbacks: None.
Collateral: ^ “Zayne Anderson”.
Specialists: K., Greg Joseph.
In the case of Toure, Newman, Jones and Ford, it could be out with the old and in with the new. General Manager Brian Gutekunst will not wait forever and may opt for a young player with potential rather than an established player with minimal potential.
Throughout training camp, Joseph has more kicks than Carlson. He also has the stronger leg. But it didn’t help that he only made 3 of 7 throws at Wednesday’s practice in Green Bay.
Glover, a sixth-round pick, went through some practice with the second team this week. Anderson was an asset on special teams last year, but the Packers added three more safeties in the draft.
Wilson might be a wild card as a tight end – he’s definitely closer to 30.0 percent than 49.9 percent – but he’s caught a lot of passes.
At this point, Goforth is the Packers’ only hope of extending their streak of undrafted players to 20 years.
0.0 percent to 29.9 percent suspensions: 24
Quarterbacks: None.
Running backs: Jarveon Howard, Ellis Merriweather, Nate McCrary.
Recipient: Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley, Jalen Wayne.
Tight ends: Messiah Swinson.
Offensive line: Luke Tenuta, Lecitus Smith, Donovan Jennings.
Defensive ends: Deslin Alexandre, Brevin Allen, Keshawn Banks, Kenneth Odumegwu, Arron Mosby, Zach Morton.
Defensive Tackles: James Ester, Spencer Weigh.
Linebackers: Christian Young, Chris Russell.
Cornerbacks: LJ Davis, Gemon Green.
Collateral: Benny Sapp.
Specialists: K. Alex Hale.
As with the 100% sure-fire group, this one needs no explanation. There are some good players on this list who deserve a spot on the practice squad.
The Packers’ undrafted players are usually the best group you can buy with limited money, but they have $100,000 of Jennings’ base salary guaranteed. However, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy enough to show what he can do.
Howard, who missed this week with an ankle injury, and Hicks have played good preseason games. Sapp has made his presence felt on special teams after being called up from the practice squad last year. Waege has shown some ability in the pass rush.
In return for retaining Odumegwu, the Packers will receive a practice squad waiver, meaning they can add 17 players to the practice squad instead of 16.
More news from the Green Bay Packers training camp
In 10 days #Packer have to trim their roster down to 53 players. Here’s an updated look at the major roster battles ahead of Sunday night’s game at Denver and next week’s practice and game against Baltimore. ⬇️https://t.co/aDsXEr5B5D
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) 17 August 2024
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Latest news and analysis: The biggest squad battles | Grant DuBose plays with the right attitude | The Packers’ new linebacker, Chris Russell | New Packers running back Nate McCrary | Quarterback battle | 53-man squad projection (Westendorf) | Waiting game: Love vs. Williams | No. 1 Recipient and vomit | 53-man projection (Huber)
Highlights of the training camp: Joint training against Broncos | Exercise 15 | Exercise 14 | Exercise 13 | Exercise 12 | Exercise 11 | Family night | Exercise 9 | Exercise 8 | Exercise 7 | Exercise 6 | Exercise 5 | Exercise 4 | Exercise 3 | Exercise 2 | Exercise 1
