A lot could change over the course of the next three preseason games. Some players will step up and make it very difficult for the Green Bay Packers to cut them. Others will struggle and find themselves hopeful of just making the practice squad.
But as it stands currently, with one exhibition game behind them, here’s our first edition of what the Packers’ 53-man roster could look like this season.
NOTE: Green Bay has two suspended players: Letroy Guion (three games, pending appeal) and Datone Jones (one game). Andrew Quarless could be suspended, too. NFL teams can keep 53 players in addition to their suspended players. Once each suspension is over, the Packers would have to either create a 53-man roster spot for Guion and Jones, or cut them.
Quarterbacks: (3)
In: Aaron Rodgers, Scott Tolzien, Brett Hundley
Out: Matt Blanchard
Analysis: Blanchard’s chances of making the active roster dropped significantly once the Packers traded up to draft Hundley. Green Bay is invested in the development of Hundley, and he’d be very unlikely to make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
Running backs: (5)
In: Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Rajion Neal, John Kuhn, Aaron Ripkowski
Out: Alonzo Harris, John Crockett
Analysis: One of the best battles to be decided is at the third running back spot. Neal was in that No. 3 role during the preseason game at New England, followed by Harris and then Crockett. However, both Harris and Crockett shined in their touchdown plays. Also, would the Packers actually keep both fullbacks? If so, it’d likely be with the idea that Ripkowski will contribute almost entirely on special teams as a rookie. It’s hard to imagine a Super Bowl-contending team like Green Bay cutting a dependable veteran like Kuhn.
Wide receivers: (5)
In: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery, Jeff Janis
Out: Jared Abbrederis, Myles White, Ed Williams, Larry Pinkard, Javess Blue, Jimmie Hunt
Analysis: Abbrederis’ concussion has cost him a chance to compete for a roster spot. The former Badger didn’t even make it out of one training camp practice this year before going down. Last year, Abbrederis tore his ACL in the fourth training camp practice. It’s likely too late in the game for Abbrederis to surpass Janis for the No. 5 wide receiver job. White is on the bubble, but he’s an undrafted player battling against a drafted player in Janis. Plus, Janis has superior athletic skills. It’s just a matter of when Janis will put it all together.
Tight ends: (4)
In: Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Kennard Backman, Justin Perillo
Out: Mitchell Henry, Harold Spears
Analysis: I had Perillo among the last couple players to make the 53-man roster. He’s dependable and has a year in the system. But if the Packers keep three tight ends, it’s hard to imagine Green Bay going with the low-upside of Perillo over the project that is Backman, a sixth-round pick this year. Quarless could also be suspended before Week 1 due to his offseason arrest, which would ensure Perillo at least a temporary roster spot.
Offensive line: (8)
In: David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, JC Tretter, Don Barclay, Lane Taylor
Out: Matt Rotheram, Josh Walker, Garth Gerhart, Fabbians Ebbele, Jeremy Vujnovich, Vince Kowalski
Analysis: Barclay struggled mightily in the first preseason game, but the Packers will likely show patience as he continues his recovery from last year’s torn ACL. There’s still time for someone to beat out Taylor, but he made a strong case for himself in New England.
Defensive line: (6, plus 2)
In: Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji, Mike Pennel, Josh Boyd, Christian Ringo, Khyri Thornton
Out: Bruce Gaston, Lavon Hooks,
Suspended to begin season: Letroy Guion, Datone Jones
Analysis: This is an interesting position due to the two suspensions. The Packers won’t want to go into Chicago to begin the regular season too shorthanded along the defensive line. But what happens when Guion and Jones return? Who’s out the door?
Thornton was a third-round pick last year and had a strong performance in New England, but he still has work to do to help Ted Thompson forget about a wasted 2014. Ringo was a sixth-round pick earlier this year and might not be ready to contribute yet, but it shouldn’t endanger his chance at a 53-man spot. Could Boyd be the odd-man out when Jones or Guion return? Pennel played far too well against the Patriots to consider cutting him at this point.
Linebackers: (10)
In: Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Sam Barrington, Jake Ryan, Jayrone Elliott, Andy Mulumba, Nate Palmer, Carl Bradford
Out: Joe Thomas, Adrian Hubbard, Tavarus Dantzler, James Vaughters, Jermauria Rasco, Josh Francis
Analysis: Bradford and Thomas are right on the bubble, at least in this projection. Bradford was a fourth-round pick in 2014, and he had a sack in New England, but he needs to show more over the next few weeks. Bradford could be a casualty once Jones and Guion return. Mulumba and Palmer are third-year players with versatility to play outside and inside linebacker, which makes them more valuable than Thomas. Vaughters has a shot to make it if he builds upon his strong preseason debut.
Cornerbacks: (5)
In: Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Quinten Rollins, Damarious Randall, LaDarius Gunter
Out: Demetri Goodson, Tay Glover-Wright, Ryan White, Kyle Sebetic
Analysis: Gunter has been far too impressive to get cut. He’s surpassed Goodson on the depth chart. If the Packers decide against keeping Perillo, Bradford or Thornton, then Goodson could make it on the roster as the sixth cornerback.
Safeties: (4)
In: Micah Hyde, Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Sean Richardson
Out: Chris Banjo, Jean Fanor
Analysis: Remember, Hyde practices with the safeties, but he is also a slot corner. Richardson is owed $2.55 million this season after Green Bay matched Oakland’s offer sheet in free agency. Banjo could be among the last cuts, but it’s possible that he makes it.
Specialists: (3)
In: Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode
Out: None
Analysis: Cody Mandell was released last week, making it perfectly clear that the punting job belongs to Masthay.
