The Green Bay Packers have finally announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season. You know what they didn't do? Rank all 53 players. I suppose we'll have to do it.
Green Bay kept six wide receivers on the initial roster, seven defensive tackles, but only four edge rushers. From top to bottom, it looks like a championship-level squad, especially once Micah Parsons rejoins them.
For now, though, he is one of the several Packers not on the 53-man roster. For that reason, these rankings won't feature Parsons and Luke Musgrave (PUP list), Savion Williams and Collin Oliver (injured reserve), and Josh Jacobs (commissioner exempt list).
Here are the 53 players on the Packers' initial roster, ranked.
Just Happy To Be Here
53. Travis Glover, OL
Travis Glover hasn't played since his nightmare performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoff loss two years ago. He's back from a season-ending injury and offers some versatility along the offensive line. Glover may struggle to get on the field this season, though, and with the Packers keeping 10 offensive linemen, his roster spot remains in jeopardy.
52. Matt Orzech, LS
Matt Orzech didn't play a single snap during training camp but still made the roster ahead of Cal Adomitis. That feels a little unfair. That's the NFL for you. The Packers will hope Orzech's return doesn't ruin the continuity of the kicking unit after Trey Smack's perfect preseason.
51. Nick Niemann, LB
Nick Niemann will play exclusively on special teams again this season. If you need him to play extensive snaps on defense, you have a problem. But he deservingly makes the roster for his efforts on teams.
50. Anthony Campbell, DT
One of the best stories of the summer, Anthony Campbell became impossible to cut. Talk about stacking success. Campbell batted about a million balls down at practice and then dominated in the preseason. He deserves this opportunity.
49. Josh Whyle, TE
Despite the Packers' last-gasp additions at tight end, Josh Whyle retains his roster spot. He isn't a flashy player and won't light up the stat sheet, but he's a dependable backup tight end who helped the Packers at the back end of last season.
48. J. Michael Sturdivant, WR
J. Michael Sturdivant makes it 22 years in a row for an undrafted rookie to land a spot on the Packers' Week 1 roster. Well played. Sturdivant showed real potential this summer, especially after catching six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown in the preseason finale.
47. Mark Redman, TE
Mark Redman won't offer much as a receiver, but the Packers' newest tight end is an excellent blocker. He'll have a clear role in Matt LaFleur's offense. Redman is a smart addition, as he probably would've made any other roster except the Los Angeles Rams', a team bizarrely deep at tight end.
46. John Williams, OL
Second-year John Williams has overcome a challenging, injury-hit rookie season to make the 53-man roster. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said Williams has been a "big surprise" in the preseason, where he showed off his potential at tackle.
They Better Not Start Real Games
45. Kitan Oladapo, S
Sitting behind Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, and Javon Bullard on the depth chart makes it tough for Kitan Oladapo to get on the field. He has only played 136 defensive snaps across two seasons, with most of his work coming on special teams. Still, the Packers trust him as one of their backup safeties for the third straight season.
44. Donovan Jennings, OL
The versatile Donovan Jennings can play just about anywhere along the offensive line. He spent some time with the first-team offense at practice and earned praise from Matt LaFleur. Jennings won't start, but he's a capable backup at multiple spots.
43. Kamal Hadden, CB
Kamal Hadden deserves huge credit. He missed all of the offseason workout program and the start of training camp while recovering from a significant ankle injury. The Packers asked him to experiment at slot corner once he finally returned to practice, and Hadden made it work. He made it impossible for Green Bay to cut him, and now offers inside/outside versatility as the CB5.
42. Ty'Ron Hopper, LB
Ty'Ron Hopper has failed to live up to third-round expectations to this point. He remains the fourth linebacker on the roster and will spend most of his playing time on special teams. When opportunities arise, Hopper has to take advantage.
41. Kaleb Johnson, RB
It's not a great sign that the Pittsburgh Steelers traded away Kaleb Johnson only one year after drafting him in the third round. Johnson averaged an awful 2.5 yards per attempt as a rookie. The Packers are banking on him reaching the potential that made him a Day 2 pick. With Josh Jacobs on the commissioner exempt list, the Packers will need Johnson to play immediately.
40. Chris Brooks, RB
Chris Brooks is a reliable blocker, which is why the Packers love him. He's perfect for third-and-longs. As a runner, though, the outlook is far more uncertain. Brooks has only rushed 10 or more times in a game once in his NFL career. He's a solid complementary running back but not a player Green Bay will want leading the backfield.
39. Tyrod Taylor, QB
Tyrod Taylor can offer plenty as an experienced mentor for Jordan Love and a leader in the locker room, but can he win the Packers games if they need him? That part is more concerning. Taylor struggled in the preseason, completing only 50 percent of his passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 2.4 yards per attempt.
The Trey Smack Tier
38. Trey Smack, K
Trey Smack deserves a tier of his own. Shaky on the practice field yet perfect in the preseason, it's impossible to predict what's to come next from the Packers' rookie kicker. There's no denying his power. Smack went a perfect 4-for-4 from 50-plus yards in August, including a 59-yarder.
Can he match it with consistency? That's the question. It won't be surprising if Smack breaks the franchise field goal record while missing a 38-yarder in the same game. That's the rollercoaster the Packers have signed up for.
The Backups
37. Jonathan Ford, DT
Jonathan Ford's role remains a mystery. He has simultaneously earned first-team reps while also playing deep into preseason games, which is uncommon for starters. No Packers defender earned a higher PFF grade than Ford in the preseason, and he showed off some pass-rush potential by generating five pressures. Ford could be a useful part of the rotation.
36. Skyy Moore, WR
Skyy Moore should dramatically improve the Packers' woeful return game. With Savion Williams beginning the season on injured reserve, we could also see Moore play the Tyler Ervin role in LaFleur's offense, getting the ball on sweeps and screens.
35. Anthony Belton, T
A second-round pick only a year ago, Anthony Belton has gone from starting right guard at the beginning of July to the Packers' swing tackle at the end of August. It doesn't seem like the Packers know what Belton's best position is.
34. Warren Brinson, DT
Warren Brinson only started one game last season. He's a capable backup, but his opportunities could decrease in Year 2 following the arrival of Javon Hargrave in free agency and Chris McClellan in the third round of April's draft.
33. Jonnu Smith, TE
Jonnu Smith is only two seasons removed from a career year with the Miami Dolphins, when he posted 884 yards and eight touchdowns and made the Pro Bowl. His numbers declined dramatically with the Steelers last season, though. Still, he can make an impact as a pass-catching backup to Tucker Kraft.
32. Bo Melton, WR
Bo Melton's roster spot was never in doubt. He will spend most of his time on special teams, but he can also contribute occasionally on offense. And who knows, perhaps the Packers can even use him at cornerback?
31. Karl Brooks, DT
Despite playing the most snaps of his career and making seven starts, Karl Brooks' production declined in 2025. He only had half a sack. Brooks faces more competition for snaps this season, but the hope is that he can rediscover his best form.
30. Isaiah McDuffie, LB
Isaiah McDuffie might never become a star, but he is a dependable player with 29 starts and 189 tackles over the past two seasons. McDuffie can do a bit of everything – he's a solid run defender and can hold up in coverage. It'll be interesting to see if Jonathan Gannon has him blitz more frequently.
29. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge
Dani Dennis-Sutton is a true wild card this season. He's one of only four edge defenders to make the initial 53-man roster, so there's a pathway to snaps while Micah Parsons is out. The fourth-round rookie missed the opening two preseason games but dominated in the third, recording a sack and four pressures. It'll be fascinating to see how the Packers use him.
28. Brenton Cox Jr., Edge
Brenton Cox's pressure numbers have always impressed, but injuries have limited him to just 15 games over the past three seasons. He has five sacks in his past 11 games, but Cox needs to stay healthy to become a key contributor for the Packers.
27. Jacob Monk, C/G
Jacob Monk is in our backup category, but he's a starter in the Packers' eyes. He is the projected starter at right guard, but we need to see him do it in the regular season first.
26. Carrington Valentine, CB
Carrington Valentine is a solid cover corner, but his woeful tackling and inability to break up passes have hurt him in recent years. Valentine can be a solid backup, but quarterbacks got after him last season, earning a 121.2 rating when throwing his way.
25. Benjamin St-Juste, CB
Benjamin St-Juste has been in and out due to injury this summer, but he enjoyed a good camp when healthy. He thrived in a backup role for the Los Angeles Chargers last season, breaking up seven passes and allowing a passer rating of just 68.3.
The Wildcards
24. Barryn Sorrell, Edge
Barryn Sorrell didn't get many opportunities as a rookie, but that's about to change. He's projected to start alongside Lukas Van Ness during Parsons' absence. Sorrell looked like a starter at camp, but will it translate to production in the regular season? Only time will tell.
23. Chris McClellan, DT
Chris McClellan made a relatively slow start to the summer but came roaring back in the preseason. Per PFF, the third-round rookie registered four pressures and a quarterback hit in the warm-up contests. McClellan is a strong run defender and is coming off a six-sack season for Missouri. He should see plenty of snaps as a rookie.
22. Jager Burton, G/C
Jager Burton's placement in these rankings requires a lot of projection. The rookie isn't even likely to start in Week 1, but he should. Burton outplayed Jacob Monk in the preseason, headlined by a highlight-reel block against All-Pro defensive end Zach Allen. Burton threw Allen to the ground with ease. The rookie earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 70.6, which is miles clear of Monk's 38.8. It's a question of when, not if, Burton gets an opportunity this season.
21. MarShawn Lloyd, RB
Injuries have limited MarShawn Lloyd to only six carries in two seasons, but the 2024 third-round pick is finally healthy and ready to make up for lost time. Lloyd's rare explosiveness and acceleration make him a potential home-run hitter in LaFleur's offense. His 11-yard touchdown catch in the preseason provided a glimpse of what he's capable of.
20. Aaron Banks, G
Aaron Banks' first year in Green Bay couldn't have gone much worse, and there was at one stage uncertainty about whether he'd retain his starting job at left guard. Now healthy, Banks needs to live up to his $77 million contract and, at the very least, provide above-average play. The positive is that he looked much better when healthy at the back end of last season.
19. Sean Rhyan, C
The biggest compliment to give Sean Rhyan is that we barely heard his name this summer. No news is typically good news for an offensive lineman, especially for a player with only seven career starts in a new position. Rhyan needs to improve his consistency, but it's worth noting that he didn't allow a sack after switching to center last season.
18. Zaire Franklin, LB
Zaire Franklin adds much-needed experience and a Pro Bowl resume to Green Bay's defense, but can he bounce back from a disappointing season? Lee Vowell of Horseshoe Heroes noted that Franklin was "atrocious in pass coverage" in 2025. That's undoubtedly a concern and raises the risk level, but Franklin has made an encouraging start in Green Bay. His leadership stands out, as does his tackling. The Packers will need him closer to his Pro Bowl-best this season, though.
17. Keisean Nixon, CB
Which version of Keisean Nixon will we see in 2026? That could depend on the game. Nixon is a boom-or-bust cornerback who can make a game-saving interception one week and then get burned for a fourth-quarter touchdown the next. Nixon isn't the most popular player among Packers fans, but he is a capable starter. The hope is that taking him out of the CB1 role will ease some of the pressure and put him in the best position to succeed. We'll see.
16. Lukas Van Ness, Edge
Is this the year for Lukas Van Ness? We saw flashes of breakout potential in 2025, but injuries prevented Van Ness from building on it. By PFF's count, he posted a career-best 23 pressures and seven QB hits despite only playing in eight games last term. That's the promising part. Van Ness did generate pressure even if the sacks didn't follow. The Packers are going to need him during Micah Parsons' absence.
Solid Starters
15. Daniel Whelan, P
Daniel Whelan has everything required to become the league's best punter this season. He has a booming leg and can flip field position in an instant. Whelan's 51.7-yard average led the NFL in 2025, and he is also the reigning, defending No. 1-ranked punter by Pro Football Focus. To truly reach an All-Pro level, Whelan needs to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line more frequently. He achieved this on just 36.7 percent of his punts last season, which ranked 22nd.
14. Javon Hargrave, DT
Javon Hargrave enjoyed the best production of his career under Gannon, and there's good reason to believe he can recapture that form in Green Bay. Hargrave recorded 18.5 sacks in his two seasons with Gannon and made a Pro Bowl. The 33-year-old showed enough last year to believe he can still be a disruptive interior pass rusher in 2026.
13. Brandon Cisse, CB
Brandon Cisse hasn't played a real NFL snap yet, so the fact that he's at No. 14 shows just how impressive he has been to this point. Cisse has held his own with every receiver he's faced on the practice field and in the preseason. LaFleur has spoken about the rookie's maturity, and it's easy to see when watching him play. He's disciplined, doesn't grab receivers, and can run their route for them. There will be ups and downs along the way, but Cisse could be the CB1 the Packers have been searching for.
12. Jordan Morgan, T
Jordan Morgan finally looks comfortable at left tackle, which is where he dominated in college. Forget the experiment at guard. Morgan has the footwork and athleticism to thrive while covering Jordan Love's blindside. His play instantly improved after switching to tackle at the back end of last season, and he's continued to build on that over the summer. Morgan has a big opportunity ahead of him in 2026.
11. Jayden Reed, WR
Injuries and some uncharacteristic mistakes led to a disappointing third season for Jayden Reed, but there's no denying how talented he is. Reed is explosive after the catch, and good things happen when he gets the ball in space. LaFleur uses him in so many ways – in the slot, out of the backfield, on sweeps. Staying healthy is the key. Reed wasn't at 100 percent in the second half of 2024 and then missed 10 games last season. But the sky is the limit.
10. Javon Bullard, S
Javon Bullard took a huge jump in Year 2, and he's only going to keep getting better. Bullard has some limitations in coverage, but he flies to the football. There are willing run defenders, and then there's Javon Bullard, who loves to get after the ball carrier. He adds energy to the Packers' defense, and this unit is so much better when he's out there. A big season awaits in a new system.
9. Devonte Wyatt, DT
Devonte Wyatt was playing some of the best football of his career before suffering a season-ending injury on Thanksgiving. He had four sacks and seven QB hits and looked well on track to set new career highs. Wyatt formed an excellent 1-2 punch with Parsons when they rushed together from the inside. With more talent around him this season, Wyatt can pick up where he left off.
The Rising Stars
8. Matthew Golden, WR
I know what you're probably thinking. Eighth? Eighth? For a receiver who went without a touchdown in the regular season? Bears fans will see this and laugh. To that, I say, just you wait.
Golden's pedestrian rookie numbers weren't due to a lack of talent, but rather a lack of opportunities. Jordan Love trusted him and looked his way in several must-have moments, perhaps none bigger than a 4th-and-6 to save the game against the Cowboys.
The Packers' 2025 first-rounder looks like the real deal. Cheesehead TV's Aaron Nagler said at a training camp practice that Golden "looks ready to explode." He has strong hands, runs routes with "violence," as offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich put it, and has the speed to burn past defenders. The breakout season is about to commence.
7. Evan Williams, S
Playing alongside Xavier McKinney can make it easy to forget how talented Evan Williams is. The third-year pro is arguably the Packers' best tackler. He flies to the football in run defense and played a vital role in limiting Jahmyr Gibbs last season. Williams is a leader and rarely makes big errors.
The expectation coming out of college was that Williams could become a solid starter but wouldn't enjoy many game-changing moments. That couldn't be more wrong. He increased his interception tally to three last season while defending five passes.
6. Edgerrin Cooper, LB
Edgerrin Cooper didn't have a bad second season in 2025 by any stretch, but he didn't hit the heights many expected. That should change in Jonathan Gannon's system.
Jeff Hafley surprisingly didn't use Cooper as a blitzer, which was one of his biggest strengths in college. In his final season at Texas A&M, he recorded eight sacks and 17(!) tackles for loss. It sure sounds like Gannon has plans to let Cooper fly downhill.
Cooper can do everything. He uses his elite speed and athleticism to swarm to the football. He's excellent in coverage. If Gannon allows him to get after quarterbacks, look out.
5. Christian Watson, WR
The Packers are a far better team when Christian Watson is on the field, whether the ball goes in his direction or not. His presence forces defenses to change their game plan. They know how his rare combination of speed and athleticism can hurt them deep.
Watson returned from a torn ACL midway through last season and looked better than ever. In just 10 games, he caught 35 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns. He was PFF's No. 6-ranked wide receiver. It was the healthiest Watson had been in his Packers career, and it allowed him to show just how special a talent he can become.
There aren't many receivers in the league with Watson's big-play potential. Over the past two seasons, he has averaged 19.2 yards per reception. Watson is a defensive coordinator's nightmare.
The All-Pro Candidates
4. Xavier McKinney, S
Quarterbacks beware: Throw in Xavier McKinney's direction at your own risk.
McKinney is a turnover machine, having intercepted eight passes in his All-Pro 2024 season. That number dropped to two last season, in part due to some uncharacteristic drops, but also because quarterbacks have learned not to test him. Targets didn't fly his way quite as frequently.
Interceptions aside, McKinney is one of the league's best safeties. He's phenomenal in coverage, an outstanding tackler, and very rarely makes mistakes.
3. Zach Bako-Bewele, T
The Packers have a million concerns along the offensive line. Zach Bako-Bewele is not one of them.
Parsons' season-ending injury correlated with Green Bay's downfall last fall, but the team also lost Bako-Bewele in that game. It hurt the offense just as badly. Per PFF, he gave up zero sacks and just one hit on 351 pass-block snaps last season. He ranked No. 2 in ESPN's pass-block win rate metric, winning 94.8 percent of the time.
The only concern is health. Bako-Bewele suffered a partially torn patellar tendon last December and has faced a long road to recovery.
While Bako-Bewele believes he'll be ready for Week 1, the veteran admitted that he isn't "quite there, quite yet." When at 100 percent, there aren't many better right tackles.
2. Tucker Kraft, TE
George Kittle said Tucker Kraft was the No. 1 tight end in the NFL before he got hurt last season. It's hard to disagree.
Kraft is a defender's nightmare. He's elusive and athletic, but knocks over would-be tacklers like a bowling ball once the ball's in his possession. Kraft can run around you, but he will run through you if necessary. He's a violent runner with the ball in his hands, an explosive playmaker, and truly special at picking up yards after the catch.
In just eight games last season, Kraft caught 32 passes for 489 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 15.3 yards per reception. Of those 489 yards, an absurd 70.3 percent came after the catch. He averaged 10.8 yards after the catch per reception, which ranked No. 2 in the NFL behind only Steelers running back Jaylen Warren. The next closest tight end was Sam LaPorta at No. 30, averaging 6.9 YAC/reception.
Kraft is the focal point of the Packers' passing attack. If he can stay healthy, his name is already penciled in for All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.
The Packers' MVP
1. Jordan Love, QB
The Packers' Super Bowl dreams sit on the shoulders of Jordan Love.
And he's up to the challenge. Nationally, Love is still viewed as an up-and-down, turnover-prone quarterback, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Love has it all. Efficiency. Consistency. The wow moments. Last season, he threw 23 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He was PFF's No. 3-ranked quarterback, credited with the sixth-best big-time throw percentage and the 12th-best turnover-worthy play percentage. Love ranked No. 2 in EPA/play.
Can he do it in the big moments, though? Love had four fourth-quarter comebacks and four game-winning drives last season. Despite the Packers losing in the playoffs, Love threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns and no turnovers, earning a 103.8 rating.
Arguably Love's biggest strength is his football IQ. LaFleur said he's the best quarterback he's worked with for pre-snap adjustments, and yes, he included Aaron Rodgers in that list. LaFleur even had Love call plays for the second half of the Packers' preseason finale.
Love has the tools to put himself into the MVP conversation. The Packers will go as far as he can take them.
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