30 locks to make Packers’ roster heading into 1st preseason game at 49ers
As the Green Bay Packers gear up to play the San Francisco 49ers on Friday in their first preseason game, there are several players with guaranteed roster spots.
According to my calculation, at least 30 players are absolute locks to make the initial roster at the end of training camp. These are 100 percent safe bets and guys that there are no questions about (that doesn’t mean their roles for the upcoming season are figured out, as many still have positional battles they’re locked into). In addition to those 30, a handful more are probably safe bets, but I didn’t include them here as they are not yet written in stone.
There are an additional four players who are on the PUP that will be roster locks when they are activated. That list includes Mason Crosby, Elgton Jenkins, David Bakhtiari and Robert Tonyan.
These 30 players are locks to make the Green Bay Packers’ roster heading into their first preseason game against the 49ers.
Packers’ Offense: Aaron Rodgers, AJ Dillon, Aaron Jones, Sammy Watkins, Marcedes Lewis, Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan
Several players on this list huddled with Matt LaFleur following Wednesday’s practice and will presumably not suit up against the 49ers. That group includes Rodgers, Jones, Dillon, Watkins, Lewis, Cobb and Lazard. Watkins is the surprise player, as he’s been off to a slow start to begin camp. However, if he does not play against San Francisco, his spot must be 100 percent safe.
In all, this makes up 15 of the assumed 25 roster spots on offense with a few more going to guys like Tonyan, Jenkins, and Bakhtiari when they return. Tyler Davis, Josiah Deguara, Kylin Hill (when healthy) and Jake Hanson are also close to being added to this list. That means only a few spots are truly up for grab.
Packers’ Defense: Kenny Clark, De’Vondre Campbell, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Jaire Alexander, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, Adrian Amos, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Darnell Savage, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Quay Walker
The defense is set up a bit differently than the offense. They have 14 guaranteed roster spots, but don’t have a handful of guys coming off the PUP list. They also have a lot of battles below the starters that will shape the roster–the seventh defensive line spot (if they keep it), backup edge rushers, backup middle linebackers, backup cornerbacks, and backup safeties.
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Packers’ Specialists: Pat O’Donnell
Pat O’Donnell is the lone specialist who is a lock to make the roster. Crosby, of course, is on the PUP, and will join him when he’s ready. Gabe Brkic hasn’t done enough to push Crosby and make the coaching staff even think about keeping him long-term. The long-snapper position is an even bigger mess. The Packers worked out a few long-snappers earlier in the week before releasing Steven Wirtel for a signing at another position. Jack Coco is the lone snapper remaining, but that doesn’t mean he’ll make the initial roster.