15 Packers on roster bubble heading into preseason finale
By Paul Bretl
Packers IDLs Chris Slayton, Jack Heflin, and Jonathan Ford
The Packers may not carry a sixth defensive lineman, but if they do, it will be one of these three players competing for that roster spot. Ultimately, if the sixth defensive lineman is going to be used as Jack Heflin was last season, which was minimally on both defense and special teams, Green Bay should devote that roster spot to another position.
With that said, Slayton and Heflin have both made strong cases to be on this team. Slayton leads the team in tackles this preseason and is fourth in pressures. Heflin had a quieter game against New Orleans, but he took up residency in the backfield against San Francisco. Ford has been the quietest of the three, but as a run-stuffer, his impact isn’t always going to show up on the stat sheet.
Packers Edge Rushers: Tipa Galeai, La’Darius Hamilton, and Kobe Jones
Perhaps I’m going out on a limb here, but based on the production from Kingsley Enagbare and the playing time of Jonathan Garvin, I would consider each to be pretty much a roster lock. This leaves one roster spot available.
Galeai, Hamilton, and Jones have all worked with the second-team defense this summer, and each player is top-7 on the team in preseason pressures. Like many of these back-end of the roster roles, it’s going to come down to special teams play and who can contribute the most.
This position battle is very much up in the air, but right now, I’d give the edge to Galeai based on production, special teams play, and total snaps.
Packers Linebackers: Ray Wilborn and Ty Summers
Four of the inside linebacker roster spots are accounted for, and that may be all the Packers choose to keep. Wilborn or Summers have both had their ups and downs on defense — although Wilborn has more upside — but once again, if either is going to make the team, it will be because of special teams play.
As of now, Summers is first on the team this preseason in special teams snaps with 26, and Wilborn is second with 23. Wilborn has two total tackles, according to PFF ($$), while Summers hasn’t recorded any.
"“It’s a very tight battle,” LaFleur said on Tuesday of the ILB position. “Hopefully over the next two days, it helps clarify itself to make those tough decisions.”"