Green Bay Packers: Predicting the 53 Man Roster

Aug 29, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Rajion Neal (34) is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles safety Chris Prosinski (33) after a run in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back (5)

Starters – Eddie Lacy, John Kuhn (FB)
Backups – James Starks, Rajion Neal, Aaron Ripkowski
Cut – Alonzo Harris, John Crockett

Neal has made enough plays during the preseason to win the third running back spot behind Lacy and Starks. As a former college wideout, he’s a great receiver out of the backfield and very effective in the screen game. He’s also shown he’s a smooth runner between the tackles.

At this point, he’s showed more flash than Harris and Crockett. However, the Packers might put a guy with a lot of potential like Crockett on their practice squad to get another look next year.

It seems strange to put two fullbacks on the Packers final roster, considering Green Bay only utilizes the position about a quarter of the time on offense. However, Kuhn is so valuable on special teams and his knowledge of the offense can’t be understated.

Ripkowski has also made a ton of plays on special teams and he’s been a force as a lead blocker in training camp. We just haven’t seen him much on offense in preseason action. The rookie fullback could be stashed on the practice squad, but he’s done enough in coverage units to be a core special teams player during the regular season.

Plus, the Packers would hate to lose Kuhn’s successor by placing him on the practice squad and having another team nab him during the season.

Next: Wide Receiver