Packers roster prediction ahead of final preseason game

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks at the sideline during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinGpg Joint Practice Tuesday 08162022 0031
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur looks at the sideline during training camp on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinGpg Joint Practice Tuesday 08162022 0031 /
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Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers tight end Tyler Davis (84) and tight end Josiah Deguara (81) go head to head during training camp Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Ray Nitschke Field in Green Bay, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Packtrainingcamp 0802220367djp /

Green Bay Packers 53-man roster prediction: TE and OL

Tight end (4): Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, and Tyler Davis

Previous prediction (4): Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, and Tyler Davis

If I had done this roster prediction on Monday, I think I would have left Tyler Davis off and just kept three tight ends, with the fourth eventually coming from a practice squad elevation.

However, after the comments Matt LaFleur made on Monday in regards to the confidence that the team has in Davis, specifically, his special teams ability, I couldn’t leave him off. Hopefully, he has a better week.

Offensive Line (9): David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Elgton Jenkins, and Zach Tom

Previous Prediction (9): Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Sean Rhyan, Elgton Jenkins, Cole Van Lanen, and Zach Tom

Each of these players are locks to be on the team. However, due to injuries at safety, there is some gamesmanship that has to take place. In short, if the Packers choose to place both Dallin Leavitt and Vernon Scott on IR after the initial rosters are set, it will free up a roster spot that could be utilized on an offensive lineman.

Although the Packers have never kept more than nine offensive linemen on the roster under LaFleur initially, I do think it’s in play if the Bakhtiari and/or Jenkins aren’t ready to play right away.

If this is the approach the Packers take, they’ll then have to elevate either Cole Van Lanen or Caleb Jones from the practice squad–assuming both players get there. I know this goes against the grain, but if I were to make a guess, I’d say Van Lanen gets the call-up. In addition to Jones performing well, so has Van Lanen, who also has an extra year of experience and can play guard in addition to tackle.