Packers 2021 roster preview: Jake Hanson has work to do

Jake Hanson was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers last year.

While Hanson didn’t play last season, he will now get another opportunity to prove himself over the summer and show why he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster.

Can Hanson win the position battle to start at center now that Corey Linsley is gone?

2020 review

Hanson didn’t make Green Bay’s initial 53-man roster last September, a possible sign the Packers didn’t believe he was ready to contribute. The sixth-round pick ended up on the practice squad where he spent most of the season.

Will he make the roster?

If I had to make a guess, it would be no.

Hanson didn’t make last year’s 53-man roster and faces an even tougher challenge this season as the Packers have added more depth across the offensive line, even with Linsley departing.

What to expect in 2021

Hanson faces an uphill battle to secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster this year. If we are to look at the positives, it’s that Linsley’s departure creates some competition for a starting job at center. And even if Hanson doesn’t win that job, perhaps the Packers could keep him on the roster due to his experience playing at center.

Here’s the bad news: Hanson probably shouldn’t even be in the conversation to start at center if we base it on last year. He will need to show big improvements over the summer and be a standout performer in the preseason to make his case for a spot on the roster.

The Packers also have a lot of depth at the interior positions. Last year’s starters at guard, Elgton Jenkins and Lucas Patrick, can also play center. The Packers drafted another center, Josh Myers, in the second round.

If Hanson is to compete for a spot at guard, he’ll face competition from Jenkins, Patrick, Billy Turner, Jon Runyan, Ben Braden, Royce Newman, and Cole Van Lanen.

Hanson needs an excellent summer to make the roster.