Green Bay Packers: Predicting the 53-Man-Roster
By Kyle Engman
With the offseason ramping to a close in time for the short break in team activities that runs through July, the Green Bay Packers are beginning to mold into shape. Maybe not a definite shape yet but we get a general idea at what the team is going to look like come September.
Granted a few players on this list will probably find salvation on the Packers’ injured reserve and open up doors for some of the undrafted free agents. So here it is, the 53-man roster prediction for the Packers.
ALSO ON DAIRYLAND EXPRESS: Top 10 Packers Not In The Hall Of Fame
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers, Scott Tolzien, Matt Blanchard. Cut: Brett Hundley.
More from Green Bay Packers
- Packers Week 14 Rooting Guide: Best Outcomes for Playoff Odds
- What to Know: Packers reportedly sign RB Kenyan Drake
- Packers Rookie Ladder After Massive Win Over Chiefs
- What to Know: Packers claim CB David Long off waivers
- Packers Week 13 Playoff Update: Green Bay Controls Their Own Destiny
I know what you’re thinking. Cutting a fifth-round pick before the beginning of the season? It’s not a possibility that hasn’t happened before. Just last season the Packers were on the chopping block with Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis had injuries not gotten in the way.
The way Matt Blanchard has performed during OTAs has shown that he is clearly ahead of Hundley in terms of being a refined quarterback. If Blanchard continues his streak of success, we could see the Packers decide that Blanchard might be the project they want to start, not Hundley.
Running Backs
Eddie Lacy, James Starks, John Crockett. Cut: Raijon Neal, Alonzo Harris
Undrafted free agent John Crockett has been turning heads since his arrival in Green Bay. With James Starks in a contract year and Eddie Lacy as the other established back, Crockett has a good chance of beating out the other competition for the No. 3 running back spot.
Fullbacks
John Kuhn, Aaron Ripkowski. Cut: None
The era of KUUUUUUUUUHN is going to end in the next few seasons unfortunately. The Packers drafted Aaron Ripkowski in the sixth round as his replacement. We could see both players on the final roster as the Packers prepare for the transition.
Wide Receivers
Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis. Cut: Javess Blue, Larry Pinkard, Myles White, Jimmie Hunt, Adrian Coxson, Ricky Collins.
It’s tough to see the Packers cut Abbrederis or Janis. With the way the Packers move the ball through the air, it might be wise to keep a sixth wide receiver on the team.
Tight Ends
Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Kennard Backman. Cut: Justin Perillo, Harold Spears, Mitchell Henry.
As the last man out of UAB’s football program, Backman has showed he deserves a spot on the Packers roster. He plays with the intensity that the Packers once saw in Jermichael Finley. Backman also has played defense in college and would be a prime candidate for special teams.
Offensive Line
David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, J.C. Tretter, Lane Taylor, Don Barclay. Cut: Garth Gerhart, Jeremy Vujnovich, Vince Kowalski, Andy Phillips, Josh Walker, Fabbians Ebbele, Matt Rotheram.
The Packers have one of the most solid offensive lines in the league right now. Barring any injuries, this unit should play well together this season. All starting offensive linemen are also signed through the 2016 season.
Defensive Ends
Josh Boyd, Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, Christian Ringo. Cut: Khyri Thornton, Bruce Gaston, Lavon Hooks.
With the defensive ends there is a lot of potential, but Ted Thompson has to be getting impatient on that potential to finally show up. After a dismal first few seasons for Datone Jones, he may finally be ready to take the next step for the Packers.
Khyri Thornton has yet to play a snap and with so many defensive linemen on the same level of talent for the Packers, his time could be coming to a close with the Packers.
Nose Tackle
B.J. Raji, Letroy Guion, Mike Pennel. Cut: None.
All Packers fans have to be ecstatic about B.J. Raji returning to the Packers and the fact that he’ll be moving back to his natural 1-technique position. Expect big things from him this season.
Outside Linebacker
Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Mike Neal, Jayrone Elliott. Cut: Nate Palmer, Adrian Hubbard, Andy Mulumba, Jermauria Rasco.
Outside linebackers will primarily be Peppers, Perry, and Neal. At the end of last season we finally saw the first-round potential in Nick Perry. We could finally see him grow into his potential this year. Jayrone Elliott will have the most impact on special teams.
Inside Linebacker
Clay Matthews, Sam Barrington, Carl Bradford, Jake Ryan. Cut: Tavarus Dantzler, Joe Thomas, Josh Francis, James Vaughters.
Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson made it known early on that the Packers were going to be keeping Clay Matthews at the inside linebacker position. Jake Ryan may make a push early in the season for the other starting inside linebacker position.
Cornerback
Casey Hayward, Sam Shields, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Ladarius Gunter. Cut: Demetri Goodson, Devonta Glover-Wright, Bernard Blake, Kyle Sebetic.
Sam Shields is the oldest cornerback on the team at 27 years old. The cornerback core is incredibly young and diverse. Rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins shift from safety to cornerback as they enter the NFL.
After losing Jumal Rolle over a roster spot given to Demetri Goodson last season, the Packers may be reluctant to keep the former sixth-round pick again if he can’t show he can adapt to the NFL.
Safety
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, Sean Richardson, Micah Hyde, Chris Banjo. Cut: Jean Fanor.
The Packers have an roster unusual to others because of the depth of their safeties. They re-signed Sean Richardson and Chris Banjo in the offseason to bolster the depth. Starters Clinton-Dix and Burnett will return to their starting roles and Micah Hyde will reprise his role as the nickel linebacker.
Kicker
Mason Crosby. Cut: None
Can he still kick the ball? Yep.
Punter
Live Feed
FanSided
Tim Masthay. Cut: Cody Mandell.
Back in 2013, the Packers brought in kicker Giorgio Tavacchio to help motivate Mason Crosby after struggling. It would appear the Packers have decided to do the same with Tim Masthay after he posted the worst season of his career last season. Either way, it would take an impressive camp from Cody Mandell to push Masthay out of his spot.
Long Snapper
Brett Goode. Cut: None.
Can you snap the ball 15 yards? Yep.
Kyle Engman is a Staff Writer for Dairyland Express covering the Green Bay Packers. You can follow him on Twitter at @KyleEngmanNFL.