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Updated Packers 53-man roster prediction entering preseason Week 2

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur | John Fisher/GettyImages

One game is in the books, and now the Green Bay Packers prepare for the Denver Broncos in what will be the second audition for players on the roster bubble.

While there's still plenty of uncertainty at various positions, including the offensive line, the preseason opener taught us a lot and solved some of the 53-man roster questions.

Two preseason games remain before the August 30 roster cutdown deadline and there's still so much to play for. Here's how the roster could shake out following the preseason opener.

Green Bay Packers 53-man roster prediction after preseason defeat to Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor

Kyle McCord seemingly wrapped up the QB3 job in the preseason opener, as Green Bay has since waived Kyron Drones. The Packers will likely need to hope McCord clears waivers, though, unless they keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

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

Josh Jacobs is currently sidelined with a groin injury, while Chris Brooks has recently returned from a hamstring issue. Crucially, MarShawn Lloyd has remained healthy throughout training camp and has flashed potential.

Assuming they are all healthy at the end of the preseason, this top three will be set.

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

Bo Melton continues to make plays and the Packers love him. Skyy Moore is the frontrunner to return punts, although he surprisingly didn't return a kick in the preseason opener.

We can assume these six wide receivers will make the 53-man roster. The only question is whether one of the two training camp standouts, Isaiah Neyor or J. Michael Sturdivant, can force Green Bay to find room for a seventh receiver.

Tight ends (3): Tucker Kraft, Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney

PUP: Luke Musgrave

Tucker Kraft returned to 11-on-11 drills during Sunday's practice, a significant step in his recovery. That proves Kraft is on track to start in Week 1, although the Packers may manage his snaps early in the season.

Josh Whyle takes the No. 2 spot, but injuries have hit the position hard. Luke Musgrave remains on the PUP list with a neck injury, and it's unclear when he'll be able to return.

Offensive line (10): Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Zach Bako-Bewele, Jacob Monk, Jager Burton, Darian Kinnard, John Williams, Donovan Jennings

There's still a lot of uncertainty along the offensive line. We know Jordan Morgan will start at left tackle, Sean Rhyan at center, and Zach Bako-Bewele at right tackle, but everything else? Time will tell.

Matt LaFleur said Aaron Banks isn't guaranteed to take his starting job back once he's healthy, with Jager Burton and Jacob Monk impressing at camp. It's looking increasingly likely that Anthony Belton will begin the year as the swing tackle and not the starting right guard.

John Williams is closing in on a roster spot after continuing to impress, while Darian Kinnard offers experience at both tackle spots.

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

Anthony Campbell has been one of the Packers' surprise standouts this summer, but he still faces an uphill battle to make the roster. Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, and Chris McClellan lead the way. Karl Brooks is effectively a roster lock, as is Warren Brinson. Nazir Stackhouse has looked good at camp and even taken some first-team reps.

Campbell still has two games to strengthen his case. He should at least have a good shot at re-signing to the practice squad if he doesn't make the initial 53-man roster.

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

PUP: Micah Parsons

Lukas Van Ness and Barryn Sorrell are the expected starters while Micah Parsons is out. Van Ness made a promising start to the preseason with a sack, while Sorrell has earned a starting spot after an excellent summer. They will need support from Dani Dennis-Sutton, Brenton Cox Jr., and Collin Oliver while Parsons works his way back.

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

No changes here. Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, and Isaiah McDuffie are the clear top three, while Matt LaFleur said Ty'Ron Hopper is the most improved linebacker on the roster this summer. Nick Niemann should make the roster as a core special-teamer.

Cornerbacks (5): Keisean Nixon, Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, Carrington Valentine, Domani Jackson

Brandon Cisse has to start in Week 1. The only question is whether Keisean Nixon is joining him in the lineup. The script has completely flipped from the start of training camp, with Nixon potentially facing competition from Benjamin St-Juste.

Domani Jackson is just returning from injury but should make the roster as one of the Packers' six draft picks. Kamal Hadden is a player to watch after making his way back from an injury, too. He has a couple of weeks to earn his way back into the 53-man roster conversation.

Safeties (5): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo, Mark Perry

Javon Bullard is still recovering from a foot injury, but it isn't expected to sideline him for long. The Packers waived/injured Johnathan Baldwin last week, who had made an impressive start to the summer as the backup slot corner. That opens a spot, and Mark Perry is the name to watch.

Perry was one of the Packers' standout performers in the preseason opener, making six tackles, including four solo.

Specialists (3): Trey Smack, Daniel Whelan, Cal Adomitis

PUP: Matt Orzech

Trey Smack is on a roll after a perfect preseason debut. That likely ends any debate over his spot on the 53-man roster, although the rookie still has a lot to prove once the real games begin.

The Packers may have a decision to make at long snapper. Veteran Matt Orzech has been on the PUP list for all of training camp so far, which means Cal Adomitis has gotten all the work in the kicking operation. Will Green Bay go for the familiarity that Adomitis has built with Smack, or switch back to Orzech once he's healthy?

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