Green Bay Packers: 53-Man Roster Prediction Before Final Preseason Game
By Paul Bretl
Offensive Line (10): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Billy Turner, Josh Myers, Lucas Patrick, Ben Braden Jon Runyan, Royce Newman, Dennis Kelly, Cole Van Lanen
The players from this group that I would consider absolute locks include Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Turner, Myers, and Newman. Runyan has shown versatility, being able to play both guard positions as well as center, while Braden has done the same, playing both guard positions along with tackle–so, of course, I want to keep them.
Patrick has been mentioned as a trade or a cut candidate, and while I won’t totally rule that out, we saw firsthand a season ago how important offensive line depth was to this team as they battled numerous injuries. For that reason alone, even if Patrick begins the season on the bench, he’s worth keeping because injuries happen, and having an experienced veteran to rely on in those instances — at both guard positions as well as center — is incredibly valuable.
Although Kelly has been sidelined the last week, and even before then, he hasn’t had the best training camp, I chose him over Yosh Nijman because of his experience as well as the fact that he can also play guard if needed. Lastly, Van Lanen — like just about every other OL on this roster — brings versatility, and while on my initial roster prediction I had him on the practice squad, he’s played well in these two preseason games, not allowing any pressures at guard or tackle, according to PFF ($$).
Interior Defensive Line (5): Kenny Clark, Kingsley Keke, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton, and Tyler Lancaster
The first four players listed are roster locks, the discussion that can be had is whether the Green Bay Packers should choose Tyler Lancaster or UDFA Jack Heflin, who I wrote about recently.
Although Heflin has impressed during the preseason and fills a similar role as Lancaster, I’m going to point to the fact that this team is all-in on winning a Super Bowl in 2021, and for that reason, my prediction is that they choose the experience of Lancaster over the youth and unknown of Heflin.
Edge Rusher (4): Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Chauncey Rivers
Chauncey Rivers, Jonathan Garvin, or Tipa Galeai? A few weeks back, OLB coach Mike Smith told reporters that it was going to be special teams play that determined the fourth edge rusher position.
According to PFF ($$), Rivers has taken 20 special teams snaps this preseason while Garvin and Galeai have taken 15–that’s not a huge difference by any means, but from the outside looking in, it’s difficult to gauge where these three players stand. Mike Smith would also mention that special teams play was the primary reason that Garvin didn’t see much playing time as a rookie.
It also doesn’t hurt that since the Packers claimed Rivers off waivers, it seems like he’s made a play or two on the defensive side of the ball at each practice.