Green Bay Packers: Roster Predictions After Two Preseason Games

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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs in front of Curtis Bolton #40 of the Green Bay Packers during the first half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Outside Linebacker (4): Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary (R), Kyler Fackrell

Practice Squad: Randy Ramsey

These four guys feel pretty safe to make the roster as the guys who are on the edge. Fackrell, despite his strong season last year, is in the most “trouble” after an average camp so far, but his versatility to drop into coverage, rush the passer, and anchor the special teams give him an edge over guys like Reggie Gilbert and Randy Ramsey.

Gilbert was a tough cut, but with the addition of the Smiths and Gary, it’s hard to find a spot for him. Ramsey is an athletic beast and has shown some juice in Camp, but needs development.

Inside Linebacker (4): Blake Martinez, Curtis Bolton (R), James Crawford, Ty Summers (R)

Injured Reserve (1): Oren Burks

Burks is an interesting case. If he’s ready to go within the first month of the season after rehabbing his pectoral injury, then Summers likely doesn’t make it and goes to the practice squad. But, in this projection, Burks makes it to the initial 53, likely in place of a guy like Tyler Lancaster, but then goes on IR with the chance to return midseason when the team knows he’s recovered, thus bring back whoever they had cut last.

Beyond Burks, Martinez is the leader of the defense and is looking at a nice payday after this season. Bolton has been a real find and should start on opening night, an incredible feat for an undrafted, undersized rookie. Crawford is the right kind of crazy to dominate on special teams, and Summers has oozed potential but has lacked consistency with his tackling, which puts him on the Practice Squad.

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