Green Bay Packers: Projected 53-man roster
Predicting any team’s 53-man roster, including that of the Green Bay Packers, is a commonplace exercise at this time of year, and it is also somewhat useless.
I’m sure my projection will be wrong in many places.
But I’m planning to update this projection at least a couple of times during training camp as a way to see how things change through practice and preseason games.
By the time final cuts occur, I’ll be able to look back and see which players surprised and which failed to live up to expectations.
Also keep in mind that I’m not just projecting who will make the roster; I’m also predicting who will start and who will come off the bench.
Without further ado, my preliminary projected Green Bay Packers 53-man depth chart:
QB (2)
Aaron Rodgers
Brett Hundley
RB (4)
Eddie Lacy
James Starks
John Crockett
Aaron Ripkowski
TE (3)
Jared Cook
Richard Rodgers
Justin Perillo
WR (6)
Jordy Nelson
Randall Cobb
Ty Montgomery
Davante Adams
Jared Abbrederis
Jeff Janis
OT (4)
David Bakhtiari
Bryan Bulaga
Jason Spriggs
Kyle Murphy
OG (4)
Josh Sitton
T.J. Lang
Lane Taylor
Matt Rotheram
C (2)
Corey Linsley
J.C. Tretter
DT (3)
Mike Daniels
Kenny Clark
Christian Ringo
DE (3)
Letroy Guion
Dean Lowry
Brian Price
OLB (6)
Clay Matthews
Julius Peppers
Nick Perry
Jayrone Elliott
Datone Jones
Kyler Fackrell
ILB (4)
Sam Barrington
Jake Ryan
Blake Martinez
Beniquez Brown
CB (5)
Sam Shields
Damarious Randall
Quentin Rollins
Ladarius Gunter
Robertson Daniel
S (4)
Morgan Burnett
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Micah Hyde
Chris Banjo
ST (3)
Mason Crosby
Rick Lovato
Tim Masthay
Bonus Coverage! Returners
KR: Ty Montgomery, Jeff Janis
PR: Micah Hyde, Ty Montgomery
A few notes:
Biggest surprise is Trevor Davis getting cut. Pretty much the only argument I’ve heard in his favor, though, is “Thompson doesn’t cut rookie draft picks.” I’m not sure that that line of thinking is so absolute. Unless Davis wows on special teams (which he might), I can’t see him beating out the much more polished Jared Abbrederis.
One of the hardest calls I had to make was on the third tight end. I ended up going with Justin Perillo in large part because of his blocking and special teams ability.
Jared Cook is ahead of Richard Rodgers and Ty Montgomery is ahead of Davante Adams, but these are players that will be used in different ways. This doesn’t mean that I think Rodgers and Adams will ride the bench.
Positions where depth is thin: cornerback and defensive line. Great spots to be if you’re an undrafted rookie.
Positions where depth is rich: outside linebacker, wide receiver, offensive line.
My undrafted rookie to make this team is Beniquez Brown, ahead of Carl Bradford and Joe Thomas. There will likely be more than one, though. Keep your eye on Josh Hawkins unseating Robertson Daniel at corner and B.J. McBryde challenging Brian Price at defensive tackle.
After Mike Pennel’s suspension is up, I think Price, or whomever takes his place as the last defensive lineman on the roster, will land on the practice squad.
I don’t see marquee free agent signing Lerentee McCray making this roster right now. If he makes an impact on special teams or shows an ability to play inside, though, that could be his ticket onto the roster.
Yes, I see the Packers keeping ten offensive linemen. With four contracts up at the end of the season, the time to start developing as much young talent as possible is now.
Masthay’s experience gives him the edge right now in the punting battle, but that will all come down to the preseason games.
This roster prediction is subject to massive changes after the first possession of 7-on-7 work.
Next: Packers Training Camp Battles: OL
Let me know what you think in the comments and on Twitter!