Packers 53-man roster prediction following first preseason game
By Paul Bretl
Green Bay Packers 53-man roster prediction
Cornerback (6): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Rico Gafford
Previous prediction: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Rico Gafford
If there was any doubt, Jean-Charles and Nixon cemented their places on this Packers roster. Gafford, however, may have relinquished some of the control he had on that sixth spot.
Gafford would give up one of the two big touchdown receptions on Friday, but he played the second-most special teams snaps and did so in five different phases. Since that is where his primary responsibilities will be, I’m still keeping him, although Kiondre Thomas had a solid defensive performance against the Niners.
Safety (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Tariq Carpenter, and Shawn Davis
Previous prediction: Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Dallin Leavitt, Vernon Scott, and Shawn Davis
Both Scott and Davis have seen reps with the starters while Savage is sidelined. The change, however, was that Dallin Leavitt suffered a shoulder injury in San Francisco that will keep him out “a while,” according to LaFleur.
Leavitt’s role was going to be as a special teams player, so I substituted in Tariq Carpenter, who comes to the NFL with his share of special teams experience.
Specialists (3): Pat O’Donnell, Mason Crosby, and Jack Coco
Previous prediction: Pat O’Donnell, Mason Crosby, and Jack Coco
Crosby is still on the PUP list, but fingers crossed that he will be ready to go come Week 1. Coco had a solid performance in the preseason opener, but I still wouldn’t call him a lock, even if he is the only long-snapper on the roster at the moment.