The wait is finally over. After a month of training camp, the Green Bay Packers released their initial 53 man roster roster. After having as many as 91 players in camp, Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst were able to conduct their first roster of the 2024 season. You can find the Packers press release here. Here are some of my takeaways from the initial roster release.
Green Bay Packers Surprise Cuts
I like what seventh round rookie Kalen King did in camp. He had his struggles in the preseason, but I was pretty confident throughout camp he would make the 53 man roster. No harm here as he was the 245th overall pick. I would expect King to make the practice squad.
Anthony Johnson Jr is a great practice squad candidate here as well. I thought he had a really good training camp and OTA’s too. In fact, he was lined up next to Xavier McKinney as the other starting safety all of OTA’s. Zayne Anderson made the 53 and will likely be a special teams player.
I am not surprised that Anders Carlson was cut today by the Green Bay Packers, but I am surprised they stayed with Greg Joseph. Carlson needed to make improvements this offseason and training camp. It appears he did not as his percentage numbers were very similar to last year.
If you’re Kristian Welch, you have to think you did everything that was asked of you to make this roster, Welch was one of very few bright spots in the 27-2 preseason loss to Denver and played well in the Baltimore game too. For a player who also has special teams experience as well, this feels like a little bit of a puzzling move. I would not be shocked if Welch is on the 53 man roster somewhere else. I think he is a 53 man roster player in this league.
Green Bay Packer Surprise Keeps
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Travis Glover, a sixth round pick this year, is one of my surprise 53 man players. It appears he has the potential and physicality to play tackle, but he is also a raw talent. In particular, he struggled against Denver in the second preseason game. I thought Glover would be a great practice squad candidate and someone the Green Bay Packers could get back. He seems to be at least a year away.
As I mentioned earlier, I am surprised the Green Bay Packers kept Greg Joseph, After being what appeared to be the better kicker in training camp and the first preseason game, Joseph ended poorly in practices, but made both field goal attempts Saturday against Baltimore. We will see just how long Joseph remains on the 53 man roster, but he is the Green Bay Packers kickers for now.
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