Heartbreak. Relief. Joy. Excitement. Frustration. Roster cutdown day delivers every emotion imaginable.
The Green Bay Packers had several tough decisions to make, but they've finally released their initial 53-man roster for the new season. It's only the first draft, though, and further changes can be expected immediately with imminent waiver-wire decisions to come.
For now, we can zoom in on the biggest winners and losers for the Packers after roster cutdown day.
Biggest winners and losers for Packers after announcing their 53-man roster
Winner: Tyrod Taylor
The Packers had already made their decision at quarterback before the preseason finale. Resting Tyrod Taylor said it all. But did Taylor get just a little bit nervous while Kyle McCord was piling up touchdown passes against the Arizona Cardinals?
Taylor struggled in the preseason, but he's the clear QB2 behind Jordan Love with no more competition (unless the Packers put in a waiver claim for Will Levis...).
Brian Gutekunst struck a deal with his good pal Jon-Eric Sullivan, trading McCord to the Miami Dolphins for a future sixth-round pick. It's a smart deal all around, and it secures what we already knew: Taylor is the backup.
Winner: J. Michael Sturdivant
Would the Packers keep a seventh wide receiver? If so, could J. Michael Sturdivant win a tight battle against Isaiah Neyor and Will Sheppard?
The answer to the second question? Yes. But the Packers didn't need to keep seven receivers, as Savion Williams will begin the season on injured reserve. Green Bay designated him to return, but he must miss at least four games.
It gives Sturdivant a huge opportunity. He was a standout throughout training camp and then put on a show in the preseason finale with 112 yards and a touchdown. Sturdivant might not get many opportunities on offense initially, but crucially, he can play on special teams. That will give him a chance to stick around behind Williams' four-game absence.
Winner: Anthony Campbell
What a story. Anthony Campbell didn't have a team last season after getting cut by the Seattle Seahawks. He entered Packers camp as a massive long shot to make the roster. Yet here he is.
Campbell was fantastic all summer long. It began when he started batting down passes at every practice, but the real test was always going to be the preseason games. He delivered there, too. Per PFF, Campbell generated seven pressures and two sacks in the final two games.
Nothing is guaranteed yet. The Packers kept seven defensive tackles and may need to lower that number before Week 1, but Campbell deserves an opportunity to play in the regular season.
Winner: Kamal Hadden
Kamal Hadden had no time to waste. He missed the first half of training camp while recovering from a significant ankle injury, and then had to move inside to play slot corner.
But Hadden passed every test. The Packers have found the backup to Javon Bullard that they needed, and Hadden can also play on the boundary. Green Bay only kept five cornerbacks, which highlights the team's faith in him.
Loser: Savion Williams
It's another setback for second-year receiver Savion Williams. He battled injuries throughout his rookie year and will now miss at least four games after landing on injured reserve.
Williams should get more opportunities this season as the new WR4 following the departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. But he needs to stay healthy. Williams had an up-and-down summer but showed flashes of potential.
He suffered an ankle injury in the second preseason game against the Denver Broncos, and it was deemed serious enough to cost him almost a quarter of the season.
Loser: Trey Smack
Trey Smack made the roster, but the Packers have switched things up with the kicking unit. Smack was perfect in the preseason, but he'll now need to adjust to a new holder, as Green Bay waived Cal Adomitis in favor of veteran Matt Orzech.
The issue is that Adomitis has snapped all summer. Orzech missed the entirety of training camp due to injury. Is he even healthy yet? It was always going to be a tough decision for Brian Gutekunst. Orzech is the preferred long snapper, but this move leaves precious little time for Smack to get comfortable with the timing and snap before Week 1.
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