Now that we’ve seen all three of the Green Bay Packers’ preseason games, including their 30-7 win at Lambeau Field over the Baltimore Ravens, let’s take one last shot at nailing down the Packers’ 53-man roster before cuts. As a reminder, Green Bay has to trim its roster from 90 to 53 men by Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT. By then, you’ll hear that the team has released a lot of players.
Let’s go position by position and talk about roster security, players on the fence, and the roster construction situation the Packers find themselves in. After trading away so many draft picks over the last three seasons, Green Bay will be trading away a lot more talent than in an average year.
The forecast changes compared to our last forecast will italic.
Quarterbacks (2)
- Jordan Love
- Michael Pratt
Forecast change: Michael Pratt in
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur declined to commit to whether Green Bay’s regular-season backup is already on the roster. Ultimately, though, someone will have to replace Jordan Love against the Philadelphia Eagles. Neither rookie Michael Pratt nor second-year player Sean Clifford have been particularly impressive this summer, but at least Pratt has potential as a pitcher. Don’t be surprised if the team makes a move to the waivers list depending on who becomes available.
Running backs (4)
- Josh Jacobs
- AJ Dillon
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Emmanuel Wilson
AJ Dillon (stinger) and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) are both currently dealing with injuries. Considering that and Emanuel Wilson has had two impressive preseasons in a row, we have four running backs on the initial 53-man roster. It’s possible that one (or both) of Dillon and Lloyd could start the year on the injured list. Based on the timeline for Grade I hamstring strains, Lloyd should return to the field right around the first regular season game of the year. Dillon’s status is still a bit uncertain. LaFleur has not committed to whether either running back will be ready to play against the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.
Recipient (6)
- Christian Watson
- Romeo Doubs
- Jayden Reed
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Bo Melton
- Grant DuBose
The team’s top four receivers all got a day off in the final preseason game, a sign that they’re (unsurprisingly) solid on the roster. Bo Melton had a relatively quiet summer, but aside from Love, quarterback play in camp hasn’t been great. He did manage to catch a slot fade touchdown against the Ravens, which is a positive sign. The sixth receiver position goes to Grant DuBose and Malik Heath, two receivers who are unique special teams players if they don’t return and who play for special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. DuBose, a former draft pick, made a few more plays this summer, so we’ll give him the edge.
Tight Ends (4)
- Luke Musgrave
- Tucker Kraft
- Ben Sims
- Michael B.
Every year there is speculation about whether four tight ends is too many for the Packers, but the team always has four players at that position. Aside from defensive backs, no position has more weight for Rich Bisaccia on special teams. Additionally, Green Bay ranked third in the NFL in 12 personnel looks (two tight ends) last year, despite Tyler Davis being out with a torn ACL and the team having three rookies at that position. Still, both Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft have had injuries in 2023. It’s entirely possible the Packers lead the NFL in multiple tight end sets this season.
Offensive Linemen (9)
- Rasheed Walker
- Elgin Jenkins
- Josh Myers
- Jordan Morgan
- Zach Tom
- Sean Rhyan
- André Dillard
- Jacob Monk
- Roy Newman – A man who feels like a hero
Forecast change: Kadeem Telfort out
Andre Dillard, along with the starters and Sean Rhyan, got the day off against the Ravens. If you read between the lines here, the team has declared him the winner of the swing tackle competition with this move. What’s still uncertain are the offensive linemen beyond the unit’s top seven players. Fifth-round rookie Jacob Monk, who even got some first-team appearances in recent weeks, is a surefire squad addition. If the Packers keep nine, the last man could be former starter Royce Newman, who reworked his contract this offseason to make it more team-friendly.
Defensive Ends (5)
- Rashan Gary
- Preston Smith
- Kingsley Enagbare
- Luke Van Ness
- Arron Mosby
Forecast change: Aaron Mosby in, Brenton Cox Jr. out
Last year, Brenton Cox Jr. made the Packers’ 53-man roster and stayed there all season. He played a total of 13 snaps this year and was inactive for Green Bay in the playoffs when they activated practice squad defensive end Keshawn Banks for game day. With Cox, who plays with the third team, unable to get going this summer, the team may need to look in another direction.
Enter Arron Mosby. Mosby is a former off-ball linebacker who also has experience playing on the outside line. He has played on the third team opposite Cox. In a two-drive game against Baltimore, he forced a sack fumble and intercepted a ball. Additionally, he is one of the few fullbacks who can play on a special teams unit without trying to block a kick. At least Mosby can get some snaps on special teams.
Defensive Tackles (5)
- Kenny Clark
- TJ Slaton
- Devonte Wyatt
- Karl Brooks
- Colby Wood
There’s not much to say. The players who made the team last year are back this year. The biggest surprise on this unit is that TJ Slaton consistently starts ahead of former first-round pick Devonte Wyatt, even though many assumed a move to a hard-hitting 4-3 defense would benefit Wyatt more than Slaton. Expect Slaton to get an early start alongside Kenny Clark while Wyatt steps in in pass-rushing situations.
Linebackers (6)
- Kai Walker
- Isaiah McDuffie
- Eric Wilson
- Edgerrin Cooper
- Christian Welch
- Ty’Ron Hopper
At this point, it would be a surprise if Edgerrin Cooper was a starting linebacker for the team in Week 1. Most of the time, Isaiah McDuffie lined up alongside Quay Walker in nickelback positions, while McDuffie and Eric Wilson played outside linebacker in the team’s 4-3 base. Cooper’s hip injury, which kept him off the field, didn’t help him in training camp.
One player who has made the most of his opportunities is Kristian Welch, who has recorded a turnover in all three of the Packers’ preseason games. Welch was originally brought in from Green Bay’s practice squad last year after a layoff and was added to the 53-man roster within a month. He has logged 1,101 special teams snaps over the course of his NFL career. Although the Packers drafted two players at the position in April, Welch may have done enough to earn a spot on the roster.
Cornerbacks (5)
- Jaire Alexander
- Eric Stokes
- Keisean Nixon
- Carrington Valentine’s Day
- Corey Ballentine
Forecast change: Robert Rochell out
Two players are battling for the sixth cornerback position: Robert Rochell and rookie Kalen King. Rochell missed the final preseason game due to a hip injury, putting his spot on the roster in real jeopardy. If the team does indeed need to keep four running backs, in addition to all the safeties they’re expected to have on the roster, there’s a good chance the Packers will simply go with five players at the position, considering they’ve used safety Javon Bullard in the slot a few times and slot corner Keisean Nixon has been allowed to play outside cornerback a few times this summer.
Fuses (5)
- Xavier McKinney
- Javon Bullard
- Evan Williams
- Anthony Johnson, Jr.
- Kitan Oladapo
The Packers paid a lot of money for Xavier McKinney and drafted three players at safety, so it should come as no surprise that they have added so many players at that position. Additionally, the change in kickoff rules seems to have made Rich Bisaccia even more interested in the position. The only real question is whether the team will keep or part ways with special teams ace Zayne Anderson. It will be difficult to make the math to keep him, though.
Specialists (2)
- Daniel Whelan (Punter)
- Matt Orzech (Long Snapper)
Forecast change: Matt Orzech in
Who won the battle for most kicks? Nobody. Based on the statistics the Packers compiled this summer, neither Anders Carlson nor Greg Joseph significantly surpassed Carlson’s 2023 field goal percentage. If the team keeps Joseph in Week 1, his salary is fully guaranteed for the entire 2024 season, which they probably don’t want to do. The alternative would be to re-sign Carlson to the roster, which they probably don’t want to do. The team should just keep all its options open on the waiver list.
