Packers 53-man roster predictions ahead of second preseason game
Linebackers (9)
Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Vince Biegel, Reggie Gilbert, Kyler Fackrell, Chris Odom, Blake Martinez, Oren Burks, Greer Martini
We know what the Packers have in Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. If they can stay healthy, both edge rushers have double-digit sack potential.
The best news of the summer is the play of Reggie Gilbert. The fact Gilbert is listed in the second-team on the depth chart behind Matthews and Perry is a great sign. According to Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, head coach Mike McCarthy regretted “not elevating Gilbert to the active roster sooner” last season, which perhaps says it all.
Gilbert continued to impress in the preseason opener, and is going a long way to not only make the roster, but also take on a significant role in Mike Pettine’s defense this season.
Cornerbacks (6)
Kevin King, Tramon Williams, Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, Lenzy Pipkins, Davon House
The Packers have made a lot of changes at cornerback this year, the key now is to stay healthy. First-round pick Jaire Alexander missed the preseason opener with a groin injury, and Kevin King was out with a shoulder issue. But there was some good news this week:
#Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he hoped there would be no long-term concern with CB Kevin Kong’s shoulder injury. Looks like there won’t be. King, who said Friday he was fine, is back at practice. Rookie CB Jaire Alexander (groin) is also practicing.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) August 12, 2018
With Alexander back at practice, one has to assume he’ll be ready for this week’s preseason meeting with the Steelers.
Second-round pick Josh Jackson played well against the Titans. If he continues to “stack success”, Jackson will have an important role to play early on this season.