The Green Bay Packers may need another running back. Thankfully, Matt LaFleur could get some help from his brother.
First, the why. Josh Jacobs remains the RB1 in Green Bay, but the depth at the position is concerning, to say the least. MarShawn Lloyd can become a breakout star, but he needs to stay healthy. The early signs are encouraging after avoiding any setbacks during the offseason, but the Packers should still have a Plan B in case he misses time.
Chris Brooks is the RB3, but is he ready for a bigger role? Brooks has only carried the ball more than nine times in a game once in his NFL career.
Now, the LaFleur brothers. Matt's brother, Mike, is the new head coach in Arizona, a team with an embarrassment of riches at the running back position. Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports believes a trade is possible this summer.
"Arizona clearly wants to move in a new direction at the position given the moves this offseason," Drake writes. "If the room gets out of training camp healthy, dealing (James) Conner or Trey Benson is very much a possibility."
Benson is one to watch. He'd make a ton of sense in Green Bay. Let's dive into our 53-man roster predictions and break it down.
Updated Packers 53-man roster predictions including a trade for Trey Benson
Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor
No surprises here. The Packers will enter the season with veteran Tyrod Taylor backing up Jordan Love. Brian Gutekunst doesn't tend to roster three quarterbacks.
Running backs (4): Josh Jacobs, Trey Benson, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks
Projected trade with Cardinals for RB Trey Benson
Trey Benson would give the Packers everything they need at running back. A big-time addition to Green Bay's offense.
Benson was the 66th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, coming off the board only 22 picks before Lloyd went to Green Bay. Pairing the two together would be a lot of fun.
Jacobs wins with tackle-breaking power. Lloyd wins with elite speed. Benson can do a bit of both.
Per Pro Football Focus, Benson averaged 4.76 yards per attempt after contact in 2022, ranking No. 1 in the NCAA. He forced 71 missed tackles that season, ranking No. 6. He also has electrifying speed, running a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, which was faster than Lloyd's 4.46-second attempt. According to Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network, Benson reached 22.0 mph on an 85-yard touchdown run for Florida State.
The only thing he's missing in Arizona is a consistent workload in the backfield. He would be a perfect complement to Jacobs and Lloyd in Green Bay.
Wide receivers (6): Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore, Bo Melton
Moving on from Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks gives the Packers clarity at wide receiver. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed have signed contract extensions, making them the clear top-two options at receiver. Matthew Golden will start alongside them as he aims for a breakout season in Year 2. Savion Williams should see an increase in snaps, too.
The battle is for the remaining spots. Skyy Moore has a clear path to the 53 because he's far and away the best returner on the team. The Packers also love Bo Melton for his versatility. He can play a bunch of special teams snaps and already has a connection with Love.
Keep an eye on two receivers on the roster bubble: Isaiah Neyor and J. Michael Sturdivant.
Neyor caught the Packers' attention in the offseason workout program. LaFleur said he has "shown a lot of flashes of excellence." Sturdivant had some buzz after Green Bay signed him as an undrafted free agent. Many analysts believed he would be a Day 3 pick. Don't be surprised if either receiver takes a roster spot.
Tight ends (4): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, Luke Lachey
Tucker Kraft's return from a torn ACL is game-changing for the Packers' offense. The only question is who joins him on the roster. Luke Musgrave is entering a contract year and may need a miracle to earn a second contract after three underwhelming seasons.
Musgrave will probably make the 53-man roster, but if I had to guess the most likely surprise cut or trade candidate, it'd be him.
Offensive line (10): Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Zach Tom, Darian Kinnard, Jager Burton, Travis Glover, John Williams, Dillon Wade
It's arguably the Packers' biggest question mark. The offensive line fell well short of expectations last season, but they are mostly running it back.
Green Bay believes Jordan Morgan is an upgrade over Rasheed Walker at left tackle. And that Aaron Banks will bounce back after a disappointing, injury-hit first year in Green Bay. And that Sean Rhyan and Anthony Belton will improve after a rocky start in their new positions. Zach Tom is a rock star at right tackle but is coming off a significant injury. That's something to watch.
Rookie Jager Burton can play all three interior positions, and after starring in the offseason, he could force his way into the starting conversation before long.
Keep an eye on Dillon Wade. Justin Melo of Sports Illustrated named him as one of 10 undrafted rookies "capable of making camp their personal launchpad." The Packers love athleticism, versatility, and left tackle experience from their linemen. Wade checks all three boxes.
Defensive line (5): Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Chris McClellan, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson
There aren't too many questions at the interior positions along the defensive line. Green Bay signed veteran Javon Hargrave, drafted Chris McClellan in the third round, and handed Devonte Wyatt an extension. They are far stronger along the defensive line than a year ago.
Edge-rushers (5): Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Collin Oliver
PUP: Micah Parsons
This is a must-watch group at training camp. Micah Parsons could miss up to half of the regular season, and the Packers desperately need their other edge defenders to step up. Rashan Gary is gone, which makes it Lukas Van Ness' responsibility to lead the way in Parsons' absence.
Will second-year pass-rushers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver make a leap? Can Brenton Cox stay healthy? Can fourth-round rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton play a featured role early? There's a lot of potential in this group, but also so much uncertainty.
If the Packers don't see the progress they require, could they give a veteran like Von Miller a call?
Linebackers (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann
Quay Walker is gone, with veteran and former Pro Bowler Zaire Franklin replacing him in the starting lineup. Isaiah McDuffie signed a contract extension earlier this month, which could leave Ty'Ron Hopper without many opportunities on defense again.
Cornerbacks (5): Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Brandon Cisse, Domani Jackson
The Packers invested heavily at cornerback this offseason, cranking up the pressure on Carrington Valentine. Keisean Nixon will likely start alongside one of Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, or Brandon Cisse.
Green Bay could find room for a sixth cornerback, given the promise Kamal Hadden has shown previously. He could force his way into the conversation. Competition is the theme at cornerback this offseason as the Packers try to avoid a repeat of last season's poor performances.
Safeties (4): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo
Perhaps the most settled position on the entire roster. It's the same four again, and there's no reason to change it.
Specialists (3): Trey Smack, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech
Daniel Whelan will punt, Matt Orzech will snap. The question is who joins them on the kicking unit.
Rookie Trey Smack impressed the Packers enough in the pre-draft process that they traded away two seventh-round picks to move up and select him. They released veteran Brandon McManus just two weeks later.
But Smack struggled during OTAs and minicamp, opening the door for Lucas Havrisik. That's a battle to watch closely all summer. For now, we have the Packers going with their rookie, but don't take that to the bank.
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