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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Green Bay Packers
Aug 5, 2022; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree (88) runs the ball against cornerback Kiondre Thomas (43) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Samantha Madar/Green Bay Press Gazette -USA TODAY NETWORK /

Green Bay Packers 53-man roster prediction: CB, S, and Specialists

Cornerback (6): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Kiondre Thomas

Previous prediction (6): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, and Rico Gafford

Gafford has had a hold on that sixth cornerback spot, but it’s hard to ignore the play of Kiondre Thomas as of late. Defensively, he has been better, allowing just one completion on six targets while also performing well against the run. He also is ahead of Gafford in special teams snaps this preseason.

Safety (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Shawn Davis, and Dallin Leavitt

Previous Prediction (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Tariq Carpenter, and Shawn Davis

Here it is, the position that made this prediction much more difficult because of the injuries that the Packers are contending with.

Scott and Leavitt have both suffered injuries, and we do not know the extent of them–although LaFleur did say that Leavitt would be out a while. So depending on what the diagnoses are, that could change this prediction very quickly.

Prior to getting hurt, Leavitt was expected to be a core special teams player, while Scott was the second safety next to Adrian Amos with Darnell Savage out. If the Packers believe that either — or both — players can return this season, they will put them on the initial roster and then place them on IR.

By going this route, it allows the player to return this season. If either is placed on IR before rosters are set, their seasons are over.

To then make the numbers work out, as well as fill some key needs, my crystal ball tells me that the Packers would add Micah Abernathy to the roster to be the fourth safety and Van Lanen to the offensive line.

Specialists (3): Pat O’Donnell, Mason Crosby, and Jack Coco

Previous prediction (3): Pat O’Donnell, Mason Crosby, and Jack Coco

Jack Coco has held his own in the preseason, and although we don’t know whether Mason Crosby will be ready for the first game, I’ll remain optimistic and put him on the roster. If not, Ramiz Ahmed has performed well since joining the team.