Green Bay Packers Final 53-Man Roster: What Will It Look Like?

2014 Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster

Green Bay Packers defensive end Julius Peppers (56) rushes Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub (8). Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Outside Linebacker (6)

Starters: Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers

Backups: Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Andy Mulumba, Jayrone Elliott

Cut: Nate Palmer, Carl Bradford, Adrian Hubbard

The Packers should go heavy at outside linebacker. They have plenty of young talent at the position, but perhaps the most impressive guy has been 34-old Peppers. Matthews and Peppers should be a dynamic duo on defense this season.

Neal will get plenty of playing time, despite not starting, by spelling Matthews and Peppers at outside linebacker and getting some reps as an inside rusher on the line in certain sub packages. Perry has underperformed so far in his young career, but he’s done just enough this summer to find a role on this team.

The tough call comes with the final few spots. Elliott has been impressive in the preseason, tallying fours sacks and a handful of pressures, and has made it too hard to cut him. Mulumba just narrowly beats out Palmer for the final spot because he is excellent against the run and has the body type the Packers like at the position.

Hubbard has plenty of potential, but needs time to grow as an NFL linebacker, so he should be stashed on the practice squad.

Bradford has been the most puzzling rookie in camp. Back in May, as a fourth-round pick, it seemed like a no-brainer that Bradford would make the final roster this season; however, Bradford has just not looked good at outside linebacker and seems outmatched every time he takes the field.

Given his performance in camp and the preseason, I can’t see the Packers keeping him over Mulumba or Elliott, who have shown a lot more ability playing off the edge. Perhaps, the Packers try to keep Bradford on the practice squad this year in hopes to transition him to inside linebacker down the road.