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Packers 53-man roster predictions highlight several red flags

Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Next stop, training camp. While the rookies remain in Green Bay to round out the organized team activities, the veterans' work concluded at the end of last week's minicamp.

There are positives to take away from the Packers' offseason work. Jordan Love has everything he needs to join the MVP race this season. Tucker Kraft is on track for Week 1. Micah Parsons will miss time but is on schedule.

However, the roster isn't without a few glaring red flags, particularly along the offensive line. Let's break them down.

Packers have a few potential red flags ahead of training camp

Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor

The Packers have multiple concerns on offense, but quarterback isn't among them. Losing Malik Willis hurts, but Tyrod Taylor is a capable, experienced backup who adds something different as the No. 2.

His experience can only help Love's development. He is an ideal sidekick for Love, not just for the cover he can provide when needed, but also when they work together on the sideline.

Running backs (3): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks

Green Bay needs MarShawn Lloyd to stay healthy after suiting up for just one game in two years since the team drafted him in the third round. He made it through the offseason program without any setbacks, which is an encouraging sign.

Wide receivers (6): Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore, Isaiah Neyor

Even without Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, the Packers have good depth at wide receiver. Christian Watson and Jayden Reed have signed new contracts, while the Packers hope that increased opportunities will help Matthew Golden enjoy a breakout season.

Skyy Moore is in pole position to become the return specialist, and it'll be interesting to see how many opportunities he gets on offense. Isaiah Neyor is a player to watch at training camp. He turned heads during the offseason program and could take the final spot ahead of Bo Melton. That should be a fascinating competition.

Tight ends (3): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, Luke Lachey

Red Flag No. 1

One of the red flags on offense comes at tight end. Tucker Kraft is a star. We know that. And it's great to hear that he believes he'll play in Week 1 without a pitch count.

Beyond Kraft, though, there are concerns. Luke Musgrave enters a make-or-break year after failing to step up following Kraft's ACL injury last term. Josh Whyle can provide solid backup, while Green Bay just signed Luke Lachey to add more depth. One of the backup tight ends needs to step up as a solid No. 2 behind Kraft.

Offensive line (9): Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Zach Tom, Darian Kinnard, Jager Burton, Travis Glover, John Williams

Red Flag No. 2

The biggest concern is along the offensive line. There are simply so many question marks, and it's an area that could quickly derail the Packers' season if they get it wrong.

Jordan Morgan is back at his natural left tackle position, where he dominated in college. But after up-and-down performances playing primarily at guard last season, will he provide the consistent play the Packers need at a crucial position?

Can Aaron Banks bounce back from an awful first season in Green Bay? Is Sean Rhyan, with just seven career starts at center, ready to take the job full-time? Can Anthony Belton find more consistency after a rocky rookie year? Will Zach Tom be at 100 percent in time for training camp as he returns from a significant knee injury?

So many questions. The Packers have high hopes for rookie Jager Burton, who could force his way into the conversation for a starting job before long.

It certainly could all come together, but the Packers have rolled the dice along the offensive line.

Defensive line (6): Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Chris McClellan, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse

There's a lot to like about the new-look interior defensive line. Devonte Wyatt needed support, and Brian Gutekunst agreed. The Packers added a veteran in Javon Hargrave, who has enjoyed his best football in Jonathan Gannon's system, and third-round pick Chris McClellan, who could have the biggest impact of any Packers rookie this season.

Edge-rushers (5): Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Brenton Cox, Collin Oliver

PUP: Micah Parsons

Micah Parsons will almost certainly begin the regular season on the PUP list, which will rule him out of a minimum of four games. It'll likely be even more than that, though, with the latest updates hinting that he won't be back until at least Week 8.

The Packers will have to find a way to generate pressure without Parsons. Lukas Van Ness is a big piece to that puzzle, and he has shown flashes during the offseason program. Hopefully, Gannon can bring the best out of him. The Packers need it.

Linebackers (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann

This could be the year that Edgerrin Cooper takes that final step and becomes an All-Pro. He is joined by a former Pro Bowler in Zaire Franklin, who replaces Quay Walker as Cooper's sidekick in the starting lineup. Franklin adds experience and leadership to the middle of the defense, giving the Packers an exciting pairing.

Cornerbacks (6): Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, Domani Jackson, Kamal Hadden

Red Flag No. 3

In part due to injuries to the cornerback room, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine remained the primary starters during the offseason workouts.

Valentine's starting job is most in jeopardy, with free-agent addition Benjamin St-Juste and second-round pick Brandon Cisse in the mix. We didn't see much from the cornerbacks during OTAs and minicamp, and that'll need to change when the pads go on in July and August.

Nixon potentially holding out would only add further complications at an already concerning position.

Safeties (4): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo

No changes here, and that's a good thing. Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams form one of the league's premier safety duos, while Javon Bullard is a rising star as the Packers' slot corner.

Specialists (3): Trey Smack, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech

Red Flag No. 4

Rookie Trey Smack will be under pressure at training camp after a shaky start during OTAs and minicamp. Smack undoubtedly has a massive leg and can convert from distance, but he struggled for consistency this spring, missing kicks from the "must-have" range, including a 35-yarder.

The Packers have gone all-in with Smack, having traded up for him and released Brandon McManus. The rookie will need to improve his consistency, or Lucas Havrisik may soon turn it into a legitimate kicking competition.

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