The Green Bay Packers’ youth movement has begun. As such, there are many spots on the roster that are up for grabs. With Organized Team Activities (OTA’s) beginning today, the players on their 90-man roster will begin their quest for a spot on the final 53-man roster to begin the season. While it is way too early, there are still some spots that we can reasonably say are already spoken for. The rest? Well, there will be excellent battles between now and the start of the season.
Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction
A quick note: it is important to remember that Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff do not have the final say in what players make the final 53-man roster. That decision is up to Brian Gutekunst and the front office. It stands to reason, then, that there will be some players who make the team because they were drafted by the Packers, even though others may have a slight edge over them.
Quarterback (2): Jordan Love and Sean Clifford
The Jordan Love era is here. There is no question that he will be the starter come Week One. The question is who will be his backup? Sean Clifford was drafted in the fifth round of this year’s draft and is competing with Danny Etling for the backup position. Due to Green Bay using a fifth round pick on him, I believe he will get the nod for that backup role. If the Packers had any faith in Etling to be a quality number two, they would not have drafted Clifford, or any quarterback for that matter.
Running Backs (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Tyler Goodson
It is a given that Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon will be Green Bay’s top two running backs for the third year in a row (could it be the last year with one or both of them on the roster?). The competition for the third spot is mainly between 2022 undrafted free agent Tyler Goodson, Patrick Taylor, and 2023 seventh round pick Lew Nichols III. Taylor has seen some time on the active roster, but failed to win the job outright last year. In fact, the Packers only took two running backs on their 53-man roster to start last season.
Goodson performed well in the preseason last year against other teams’ first and second string players as Jones and Dillon did not play. He is a better blocker than Taylor and Nichols, and I think that will put him over the edge.
Wide Receivers (6): Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Samori Toure, Grant DuBose
Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the clear-cut top two receivers on the roster. Jayden Reed will likely win the battle for the slot position and thus will be the third wide receiver. Following those two, the rest of the spots will be filled with the other draft picks from 2022 and 2023.
Tight End (4): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis
While Luke Musgrave has the higher ceiling, Tucker Kraft is more NFL ready right now. Musgrave only played in two games last season due to injury. This, I think, will give Kraft the advantage over who will be the starting tight end come Week One.
Offensive Line (9): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Zach Tom, Jon Runyan Jr., Yosh Nijman, Josh Myers, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Caleb Jones
No, the Packers are not going to trade David Bakhtiari (this year). He and Elgton Jenkins at left guard will protect Jordan Love’s blindside. The rest of the spots on the offensive line are really up for grabs. At the end of the day, I expect Zach Tom to push Josh Myers out of the starting lineup at center while Jon Runyan Jr. returns at right guard and Yosh Nijman starts at right tackle.
Defensive Line (7): Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Jonathan Ford, Colby Woodson, Chris Slayton
Last season, the Packers took seven wide receivers, two running backs, and 10 offensive lineman. I predicted above that they will take three running backs, but one less player at the other positions. This will allow them to take an extra defensive lineman. I believe they will do so because this is an area of great need on the team, plus Jonathan Ford was drafted in the seventh round last year, and I do not think Gutekunst is ready to give up on him.
Edge Rusher (5): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Justin Hollins, Kingsley Enagbare
This prediction, of course, is based on the assumption that Rashan Gary will be healthy to start the season. If he is not, undrafted free agent Brenton Cox will make the roster.
Linebacker (4): De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson
Not much competition here. Let’s just hope Quay Walker is able to stay in games this season.
Cornerback (5): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine
Again, this is based on the notion that Eric Stokes is healthy to start the season. If he is not (which it sounds like he won’t be), I expect Kiondre Thomas to get the nod. I also think that this season is the end of the Shemar Jean Charles experiment.
Safety (7): Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Jonathan Owens, Anthony Johnson, Innis Gaines, Dallin Leavitt, Tarvarius Moore
As with defensive line, I think the Packers use on of the extra spots by taking one less offensive lineman and wide receiver to address a bigger need on the defensive side of the ball. I think that Savage and Johnson will end up as the starters with Ford being a key third safety, a role in which he will thrive. The rest of the safeties will appear on special teams, at least primarily. If Savage struggles again, there could be some shifts.
Specialists (3): Anders Carlson, Pat O’Donnell, Matt Orzech
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1 Comment
That adds up to 55.