Packers 53-man roster predictions with depth chart
Linebacker (10, 43/53)
- Za’Darius Smith (EDGE)
- Preston Smith (EDGE)
- Rashan Gary (EDGE)
- Jonathan Garvin (EDGE)
- Tim Williams (EDGE)
- Christian Kirksey (ILB)
- Oren Burks (ILB)
- Kamal Martin (ILB)
- Curtis Bolton (ILB)
- Ty Summers (ILB)
I’ve gone with five players at both outside linebacker and inside linebacker.
The top three at edge rusher will be Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary. The Smith Bros. were an outstanding pass-rush tandem last season, but expect to see more from second-year Gary this year, who the Packers selected 12th overall last April.
After losing Kyler Fackrell in free agency, Green Bay needs to strengthen its pass-rush depth behind the top three. Rookie Jonathan Garvin will help provide some depth, but I also expect the Packers to keep Tim Williams on the initial roster.
I think a reunion with Clay Matthews would make sense for the Packers. He could contribute as a fourth pass-rushing option but he also has experience playing at inside linebacker.
So let’s move onto the inside linebackers.
Christian Kirksey will be a starter, replacing Blake Martinez. This is a big year for Oren Burks who could barely get on the field last season. The Packers could need him this year. Rookie Kamal Martin makes the roster as well as Curtis Bolton, a preseason standout last year. He’s returning from a torn ACL.
Second-year Ty Summers offers special teams value. He played on 72 percent of the Packers’ special teams snaps in 2019, according to Pro Football Reference.