Green Bay Packers: Early 53-man roster predictions
![ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 08: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers huddles with his team at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 08: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers huddles with his team at AT&T Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Flombardiave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F06-2F859179278-850x560-451ce1933f50dedf4a0fe135115a84758983cd4c1991525962ad7bcab69942a6.jpg)
Cornerbacks (7)
(39) Tramon Williams
(40) Kevin King
(41) Jaire Alexander
(42) Josh Jackson
(43) Lenzy Pipkins
(44) Josh Hawkins
(45) Donatello Brown
The Packers’ pass defense has been near the bottom of the league for a number of seasons now. The team spent their first two picks of the 2018 draft going after two of the top-tier cornerbacks in the draft. Jaire Alexander, selected 18th overall, is a speedster (4.38 40), who is great in man coverage. Josh Jackson, selected 45th overall, is a ballhawk with some serious potential. Both are expected to play and contribute immediately.
Kevin King and Tramon Williams are expected to man the corners, with Alexander in the nickel spot. King is a player that absolutely must take the next step and become a leader among the defensive backs, and as long as he stays healthy this season, he has the potential to be a very special player for this defense.
Players like King, Jackson, Lenzy Pipkins, and Donatello Brown are the exact type of corners Mike Pettine likes in his defense. They are all big, physical corners, who are able to play press man coverage, knock receivers off their route, and screw up timing between the quarterback and receiver.
After tearing his Achilles and after lackluster play before his injury, I don’t see Quinten Rollins coming back and making this roster. Demetri Goodson, Davon House, and Herb Waters are also players I don’t expect to make the 53-man roster.