10 Questions about Green Bay Packers roster before final cutdowns
By Paul Bretl
Will the Green Bay Packers keep a sixth interior defensive lineman?
Five of these roster spots are accounted, but both Jack Heflin and Chris Slayton have put themselves in the conversation for the sixth defensive lineman spot on the roster–if the Packers keep that many.
Green Bay did roster Heflin as a sixth defender a season ago, but he rarely saw the field, on both defense and special teams. My thinking this summer is that if they’re going to take the same approach, that roster spot can be better utilized elsewhere.
However, if Heflin or Slayton will take on a larger role in either phase, which could be possible as Devonte Wyatt continues to work his way up to speed, then keeping one around does make sense.
As is the case with each of these questions, the Packers will have to consider whether one or both could clear waivers and if they’re comfortable with the sixth interior defensive lineman taking away from another position.
Ray Wilborn, Ty Summers, or neither?
The Packers have five roster locks at the linebacker position, and that very well could be all they keep depending on how things shake out at other position groups.
However, if they choose to keep a fifth, it will be between Ty Summers and Ray Wilborn, and special teams contributions will be the deciding factor. Throughout the preseason, Summers has been first on the team in special teams snaps, with Wilborn in second.
Summers has the experience, although that may not matter as much with a new coordinator and special teams unit that ranked last in football. Wilborn, however, has the higher PFF grade and leads the team in tackles.
When it comes to special teams being a key factor, Wilborn and Summers aren’t only competing against each other but other position groups as well. Ultimately, it will come down to which player can make the biggest impact, regardless of what position they play.
UPDATE: According to Rob Demovsky, the Packers have released Ty Summers.