Packers 53-man roster predictions two weeks before season

Running backs (6)

Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon, Dexter Williams, Tyler Ervin, John Lovett

The Packers may be forced to make a tough cut at the running back position. Six players in this group may be too many to carry into the regular season. But if Matt LaFleur wants to be able to run the ball more than last year, they may want more horses in the stable. Granted, Ervin is listed as a running back but has been getting a lot of work with the receiver group instead. So maybe keeping six backs will result in fewer receivers than we are used to seeing on the roster.

Like others around the internet, I think Jamaal Williams could be a cut or trade candidate. In his contract year, the Packers will have a decision to make at the end of this season. If they extend Jones, that wouldn’t leave a ton of space to re-sign Williams, especially after the Packers used a second-round pick on A.J. Dillon in this year’s draft. While I think Williams will start the season as the number two back, he may be on the outside looking in at some point this season if Dillon really comes on.

Wide receivers (6)

Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow, Darrius Shepherd

I think the top four for this group is pretty much set in stone. Adams is one of the top receivers in the league and Lazard continues to show he belongs as the Packers’ number two. MVS will look to bounce back after a rough second half of the season and the expectations for EQ this season are growing.

Earlier I predicted Kumerow would finally lose his roster spot. But since then, Devin Funchess opted-out, and Kumerow’s chances of making the team have improved. Rodgers trusts him and he knows the offense better than any of the newcomers this year.

With those five, I think that leaves just one more spot. With Ervin working with the receivers a lot and having tight ends split out in this offense, there isn’t a high need for more receivers. I think that spot comes down to Reggie Begelton, Malik Turner, and the incumbent, Darrius Shepherd. Honestly, I could see any of these three make the team. From the little we are seeing on social media, Shepherd has had a great camp and will make it tough for coaches to cut him.

Malik Turner has experience in the NFL, having been with the Seattle Seahawks the past two seasons. Begelton is a great story and put up some gaudy stats in the CFL last year. Ultimately, I think the Packers stick with Shepherd. I think his great showing at camp and his second year in the offense will be the difference.