Packers 53-man roster prediction following first preseason game
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers 53-man roster prediction
Wide receiver (7): Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Juwann Winfree
Previous prediction: Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson
That’s right; I have seven wide receivers on the roster. If you go back and read several articles of mine from the offseason, I was fairly adamant that the Packers would keep only six–which could still happen.
But Winfree has continued to build that trust with Aaron Rodgers, who has taken notice of his play, and he took snaps on the kick and punt return units against San Francisco. Special teams contributions will be important to Winfree making the roster.
"“I will say,” Rodgers told reporters on Tuesday via Packers Wire, “between 88 (Winfree) and 87 (Doubs), there’s been a lot of positive things that makes you feel good about the depth we could have in that room.”"
It’s important to mention, however, that Winfree did miss Sunday’s practice with a groin injury. Hopefully, it doesn’t keep him out too long. If you recall, his last training camp was derailed due to an injury.
Tight end (4): Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, and Tyler Davis
Previous prediction: Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis, and Dominique Dafney
With Robert Tonyan back, things get a bit more difficult when it comes to deciding who stays and who goes at the tight end position. We know that Tonyan, Lewis, and Degaura will be on the team, but Davis and Dominique Dafney are fighting for that fourth spot–that is unless the team keeps five.
Davis was on the field for 14 snaps on offense and nine for special teams, per PFF ($$), but it was a roughing showing, to say the least, with a pass off his hands that turned into an interception and some missed blocks as well. Dafney, on the other hand, was inactive.
I’ll choose Davis because Brian Gutekunst, Matt LaFleur, and Rich Bisaccia have all spoken so highly of him. But he needs to play better against New Orleans.
Offensive line (9): Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Elgton Jenkins, Cole Van Lanen, and Zach Tom
PUP list: David Bakhtiari
Previous prediction: David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Cole Van Lanen, and Zach Tom
With Elgton Jenkins back, the outlook of this offensive line unit is much improved. Everyone listed I would pretty much consider a roster lock; the only question is could Van Lanen stick around as a 10th offensive lineman once Bakhtiari returns? I do think that’s in play, but then a difficult roster decision will have to be made elsewhere.