Green Bay Packers: Final 53-Man Roster Prediction

Quarterback (3): Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle, Jordan Love

In a normal season, I would think that holding on to three quarterbacks would be unnecessary as that extra roster spot could be better used elsewhere. However, this is no normal season, and with the possibility that any player could be sidelined due to COVID-19, having a third quarterback who is familiar with the offense just makes sense.

Running back (3): Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, AJ Dillon

This is pretty straight forward. While some wonder if Jamaal Williams could be a surprise cut, earlier this offseason, Matt LaFleur mentioned how he’d love to have three running backs to lean on. Well, now he does. And if you’re wondering where Tyler Ervin is, we’ll get there.

Tight end (4): Jace Sternberger, Josiah Deguara, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis

Tight end is another cut and dry position. We all know that the tight end plays an important role in the LaFleur offense, and Aaron Rodgers confirmed that recently by saying that he expects the Green Bay Packers to utilize 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TEs) much more often this season. And while some of these players are better pass-catchers than blockers and vice versa, all four can do both.

Offensive Line (10): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Lane Taylor, Rick Wagner, Lucas Patrick, Alex Light, Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson

We know the first six players are locks; the only thing that could change is if Billy Turner is left off because of his recent knee injury. However, it sounds like he will only miss Week 1, so I kept him on the initial 53. Then there is Lucas Patrick, who is pretty close to a lock as well with his experience and positional versatility.

I held on to Runyan and Patrick for their added depth at the guard and center position. Meanwhile, Light has taken his lumps in camp, but tackle is a very thin position for the Packers, and although he’s struggled, he does have regular-season experience.

Wide Receiver (6) Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Tyler Ervin, Darrius Shepherd

Even before camp began, we knew Adams, Lazard, Valdes-Scantling, and St. Brown were going to be on the Week 1 roster, but after those four is where things were up in the air. Ervin has been working specifically with the receivers and gives LaFleur a versatile weapon that can line up anywhere on the field.

You’ll also notice that I don’t have Jake Kumerow here. While I think LaFleur and Gutekunst will have a tough time letting him go, Darrius Shepherd has really impressed in practice, and from the sounds of it, he is much improved over what he was in 2019 when he made the final roster. Give me Shepherd’s upside over Kumerow, who has likely already reached his ceiling.