Green Bay Packers Training Camp Preview: Cut ‘em or Keep ‘em

A few weeks ago, I highlighted nine returning Green Bay Packers players who are on the hot seat this summer with their roster spots in jeopardy. Today, I wanted to go through and give my prediction on whether or not each of these players will make the initial 53-man roster.

Ultimately, performance is king, and that will determine a lot this summer, but for a Green Bay Packers team that is still looking to create cap space, soaking up some cap savings could also be a factor as well when it comes to these decisions. And there were several difficult decisions to make.

Green Bay Packers CB Josh Jackson: Cut

Cap Savings: $1.33 million

As we all know, Josh Jackson has been unable to put it together at this point in his career. As we saw in 2020 when he filled in for Kevin King, many of the same issues that plagued him during his rookie season are still an issue–especially penalties. However, for me, anyways, what’s really telling is that Jackson was a healthy scratch at the end of last season–showing that he didn’t provide any value on defense or special teams.

Perhaps the new zone-heavy Joe Barry defense could provide a spark, but entering Year 4, I think we know who Josh Jackson is as a player. With Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Chandon Sullivan, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Eric Stokes likely accounting for five roster spots, I’d rather take a chance on Kabion Ento or Stanford Samuels.

Green Bay Packers Edge Randy Ramsey: Cut

Cap Savings: $780,000

This is a difficult one. If we go by the Green Bay Packers’ 2020 roster, where they kept five edge rushers, then there is likely one spot up for grabs. The Smiths and Rashan Gary account for three of those roster spots, and I believe Jonathan Garvin is close to a lock as well. The battle for the fifth spot will likely be between Randy Ramsey and Tipa Galeai.

In making this decision, I’m choosing Galeai’s upside — which he will have to show this summer — along with the cap savings that comes with moving on from Ramsey. When discussing a fifth edge rusher who won’t’ see much playing time, money plays a bigger factor in the decision making.

Green Bay Packers CB Ka’dar Hollman: Cut

Cap Savings: $849,000

Like Josh Jackson, Ka’dar Hollman also finds himself on the hot seat. As a press-man corner coming out of Toledo, I was a big fan of his ability and fit with Mike Pettine. However, Hollman was also a healthy scratch at the end of last season — which again, says a lot — and I also have questions about his fit with Barry’s zone-heavy scheme. As I’ve written previously, I believe Kabion Ento wins the sixth cornerback job.