Packers cut multiple draft picks in final 53-man roster prediction

Training camp and the preseason: Completed.

There is one final checkpoint before the Green Bay Packers board a plane for their season opener in Brazil. By Tuesday, every NFL team must reduce their roster to 53 players, leading to tough decisions leaguewide.

The Packers must decide who backs up Jordan Love, who won the kicking battle, and how many players they keep at each position. Over to you, Brian Gutekunst.

Green Bay has a deep and talented roster, but many have played their final game wearing green and gold, potentially including several draft picks.

Packers 53-man roster prediction after the preseason

Quarterbacks (1)

• Jordan Love

Who won the Packers' backup quarterback competition? Nobody.

Releasing Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt creates more room on the 53-man roster and allows the Packers to cast a wide net in their search for Jordan Love's backup. They should feel confident in getting at least one of these two draft picks back on the practice squad. In the meantime, creating room on the roster allows them to prioritize other positions. Clifford or Pratt may eventually end up the backup, but it won't be surprising if they aren't on the initial roster.

The Packers move on from two recent draft picks.

Running backs (4)

• Josh Jacobs
• MarShawn Lloyd
• AJ Dillon
• Emanuel Wilson

We are already seeing one benefit of clearing space at quarterback. MarShawn Lloyd and AJ Dillon are dealing with injuries, and the additional roster spot allows them to keep Emanuel Wilson without having to give up on Dillon. They will have a decision to make once everyone is fully healthy, but for now, they go for additional running back depth. Wilson deserves this opportunity after starring in the preseason.

Wide receivers (7)

• Christian Watson
• Romeo Doubs
• Jayden Reed
• Dontayvion Wicks
• Bo Melton
• Malik Heath
• Grant DuBose

The top four are roster locks. The challenge is figuring out the priority between Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and Grant DuBose. All three deserve a spot on the 53-man roster. The Packers may not keep seven receivers for long, but it could make sense to make room on the initial roster. It won't be a surprise if they take calls about a potential trade.

Tight ends (3)

• Luke Musgrave
• Tucker Kraft
• Ben Sims

The Packers may prefer to keep four tight ends, but Tyler Davis hasn't done enough at training camp or the preseason to make the 53. Green Bay may need to turn to the waiver wire for additional depth at the position. Having kept four running backs and seven wide receivers, we had to make cuts elsewhere. It could change by Week 1, but finding room for a seventh receiver makes more sense than keeping Davis.

Offensive line (9)

• Rasheed Walker
• Elgton Jenkins
• Josh Myers
• Jordan Morgan
• Zach Tom
• Sean Rhyan
• Andre Dillard
• Kadeem Telfort
• Jacob Monk

The top six names above are roster locks. The only question is whether first-round pick Jordan Morgan or Sean Rhyan gets the start at right guard. Andre Dillard impressed in the preseason and may have won the swing tackle job, while Kadeem Telfort and rookie Jacob Monk did enough to secure roster spots.

It means this year's draft pick Travis Glover and former fourth-rounder Royce Newman miss out. Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom, Dillard, and Telfort are likely ahead of Glover on the depth chart, and the Packers could also move Morgan or Elgton Jenkins to tackle. Newman is likely the fifth guard, at best, and misses out on a roster spot.

Defensive line (10)

• Rashan Gary
• Kenny Clark
• T.J. Slaton
• Preston Smith
• Lukas Van Ness
• Kingsley Enagbare
• Arron Mosby
• Devonte Wyatt
• Karl Brooks
• Colby Wooden

There aren't too many difficult decisions for the Packers along the defensive line, although we have Arron Mosby earning a spot ahead of Brenton Cox Jr. after his outstanding performance in the preseason finale. Mosby forced a fumble and made a pick against the Baltimore Ravens. He could make the roster as the fifth edge rusher while also playing a significant number of special teams snaps.

Linebackers (6)

• Quay Walker
• Edgerrin Cooper
• Isaiah McDuffie
• Eric Wilson
• Ty'Ron Hopper
• Kristian Welch

Switching to a 4-3 defense requires additional linebacker depth, and the importance increases with second-round pick Edgerrin Cooper recovering from a groin injury. No Packers player earned a higher PFF defensive grade than Kristian Welch in the preseason. He also graded well for special teams. Welch made an interception against the Ravens and has done more than enough to deserve a roster spot.

Cornerbacks (5)

• Jaire Alexander
• Eric Stokes
• Keisean Nixon
• Carrington Valentine
• Corey Ballentine

The big question at cornerback is whether there's room for rookie Kalen King. He has played mostly in the slot and had an up-and-down preseason. Javon Bullard's ability to cover in the slot gives the Packers more depth in the secondary, which could mean King misses out. Green Bay would hope he clears waivers and returns to the practice squad, but another draft pick doesn't make the roster.

Safeties (5)

• Xavier McKinney
• Javon Bullard
• Evan Williams
• Anthony Johnson Jr.
• Kitan Oladapo

The only headache the Packers have at safety is determining who starts opposite Xavier McKinney. Rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams have played at a high level all summer. And we shouldn't forget about second-year Anthony Johnson, who looked like a starter in the preseason. He returned a fumble for a touchdown against the Ravens.

Special Teams (3)

• Anders Carlson
• Daniel Whelan
• Matt Orzech

Anders Carlson will probably win the kicking battle, but the Packers won't feel good about it, especially after his miss from 32 yards to end the preseason. Green Bay may scan the waiver wire, but good luck finding a consistent kicker who isn't on a roster.

More Packers news and analysis