Packers pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction

Predicting the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster.

Training camp gets underway this week.

This is my early prediction of what the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster will be for Week 1:

QB (2)

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. DeShone Kizer

HB (3)

1. Ty Montgomery
2. Jamaal Williams
3. Joel Bouagnon

FB (1)

1. Aaron Ripkowski

WR (6)

1. Davante Adams
2. Randall Cobb
3. Geronimo Allison
4. J’Mon Moore
5. Trevor Davis
6. Equanimeous St. Brown

TE (3)                        

1. Jimmy Graham
2. Marcedes Lewis
3. Lance Kendricks

OL (10)

1. David Bakhtiari
2. Lane Taylor
3. Corey Linsley
4. Justin McCray
5. Bryan Bulaga
6. Kyle Murphy
7. Lucas Patrick
8. Cole Madison
9. Byron Bell
10. Jason Spriggs

DL (5)

1. Mike Daniels
2. Kenny Clark
3. Muhammad Wilkerson
4. Dean Lowry
5. Montravius Adams

ILB (3)

1. Jake Ryan
2. Blake Martinez
3. Oren Burks

OLB (5)

1. Clay Matthews
2. Nick Perry
3. Vince Biegel
4. Reggie Gilbert
5. Kendall Donnerson

CB (7)

1. Tramon Williams
2. Kevin King
3. Jaire Alexander
4. Josh Jackson
5. Lenzy Pipkins
6. Josh Hawkins
7. Davon House

S (5)

1. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
2. Josh Jones
3. Kentrell Brice
4. Marwin Evans
5. Jermaine Whitehead

ST (3)

1. Hunter Bradley
2. Mason Crosby
3. JK Scott

A few notes:

• Training camp injuries will play a huge role in this, obviously.
• With Aaron Jones suspended for two games and Ty Montgomery’s injury history, I think the Packers will ultimately enter the season with three halfbacks. Devante Mays underwhelmed in his rookie season, which I think opens up a great opportunity for the six-foot-two, 230-pound rookie Joel Bouagnon out of Northern Illinois.
• As always, there are going to be some tough cuts at wide receiver. I think Equanimeous St. Brown’s potential as a receiver and Trevor Davis’ special teams value gives them the final two spots.
• Lance Kendricks is the youngest tight end on this projected roster at 30 years old. That’s far from ideal, but it’s the position Gutekunst has put himself into by signing two veterans and not drafting one.
• I project Bryan Bulaga to begin the season on the active roster rather than PUP. But because of his uncertain health status, I have Gutekunst keeping 10 offensive linemen. Jason Spriggs and Byron Bell, along with Bouagnon, would both be top candidates for being cut upon Aaron Jones’ return.
• Five defensive linemen is pretty light. But that’s the number they started 2015 and 2016 with. Considering the amount of nickel defense they’ll play and the quality of the top three players, five might be enough.

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• The fifth edge rusher spot will be another interesting battle. I see Gutekunst being unconcerned by Kyler Fackrell’s status as a third-round pick under Ted Thompson, instead keeping his own far more athletic seventh-round pick Kendall Donnerson.
• Twelve defensive backs may seem a bit excessive. But all five safeties are quality players, and the Packers simply can’t have enough bodies at cornerback. The last few spots at cornerback will be extremely interesting. I see Davon House’s experience in a very young cornerback room and Josh Hawkins’ athleticism giving them the nods over Quinten Rollins, Herb Waters, Demetri Goodson and Donatello Brown.
• Top candidates for the practice squad (see rules here) include Marques Valdes-Scantling, Michael Clark, Tim Boyle, Devante Mays, Kofi Amichia, Adam Pankey, James Looney, Ahmad Thomas, Chris Odom, Herb Waters and Donatello Brown.