Where Packers positional battles stand before final preseason game

Packers Tight End

Competing for a roster spot: Tyler Davis, Sal Cannella, Alize Mack, and Nate Becker

Tyler Davis seemed to be a roster lock at one point; however, his play this summer — specifically in the preseason games — has put him on the roster bubble. In two games, we’ve seen Davis with drops, called for a penalty, fumble, and missed blocks.

The other tight ends fighting for a roster spot all have minimal experience, and none have had a ton of opportunities this summer–or at least not with the starters like Davis has. This position went from being stable to having several question marks. I’m starting to think it’s more likely that the Packers roster three tight ends initially and rely on the practice squad elevations for that fourth spot.

Packers Offensive Line

Competing for a roster spot: Caleb Jones and Cole Van Lanen

With David Bakhtiari off the PUP list, the Packers now have nine offensive linemen that we can consider roster locks. And for reference, they’ve never kept more than nine on the initial roster under LaFleur.

But this year, I certainly think keep 10 is in play because we don’t know when Bakhtiari or Elgton Jenkins will play, and that 10th player can provide added depth.

Competing for that final roster spot is Caleb Jones, who has flown up the depth chart and impressed at both tackle spots. The other is Cole Van Lanen, who is in his second season and can play both guard and tackle.

Competing for playing time: Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, and Zach Tom

A lot of this hinges on when Jenkins is available to play right tackle. If he’s out for Week 1, then the right guard and right tackle spots are available. If Jenkins plays, then just the right guard position is open.

So far, Jake Hanson and Royce Newman have consistently been the starting guard and tackle on the right side, but neither has been overly impressive, especially in the run game. Zach Tom, however, has had snaps with the starters at right tackle, and he is yet to allow a pressure in a preseason game, according to PFF ($$), and he’s been one of the Packers’ highest-graded players up to this point.

Whether it be at right tackle or right guard — again, depending on Jenkins’ status — Tom should be in the conversation for starting snaps in the regular season. LaFleur often talks about putting the “best five” offensive linemen on the field, and it’s hard to argue that Tom hasn’t been one of them.