Green Bay Packers 53-man roster predictions, post-preseason edition

Mike Daniels. Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Defensive Line

Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, Josh Boyd, Mike Pennel, Letroy Guion, Khyri Thornton

Daniels, based on his performance last season and increased role as a team leader, is the head of this group. Jones, the former first-round pick, hasn’t really shown the ability associated with his lofty draft status, but he is set as one of the starters and must play well in that role to help improve the defense from where it ended last year.

Because of the bicep injury sustained by B.J. Raji that has rendered him done for the year, Boyd has to step up in his role on the team as well; if his end-of-season performance is any indication, he can make a positive impact with more playing time as well.

Speaking of the Raji injury, it opens the door for other players to step up and attain roster spots. Pennel is one player who should benefit with a spot in the rotation. Guion, who himself just returned from a hamstring injury, should be able to make the roster as well now, too. Thornton, a third-rounder this year, has been a bit disappointing and sustained his own hamstring injury, so he may end up either cut (unlikely because of the draft status) or sent to IR (more likely, if it is a serious enough injury). Ultimately the injury doesn’t seem too severe and it would be too much of a risk to release him this soon based on his draft status, so expect him to make it.