Packers 53-man roster prediction following offseason programs

Offseason programs for the Green Bay Packers are now complete. And while no roster spots were won or lost over the last month or playing time determined, the five practices that were open to the media did provide us with some added insight in regards to where things may currently stand based on what we saw on the practice field.

For the most part, it was relatively easy to piece together many of these position groups as I went through my (still very early) roster prediction. However, as always, there were some challenges as well, specifically when it comes to handling the safety position where a lot is still up in the air.

But nonetheless, here is how I have things shaking out based on what I saw during OTAs and minicamp.

Quarterback (2): Jordan Love and Sean Clifford

Perhaps the Packers choose to add a veteran quarterback to the mix. Matt LaFleur said during OTAs that if that were going to happen, the team would do so after offseason programs. But for now, I’ll take Sean Clifford over Danny Etling. For one, they spent a fifth-round draft pick on Clifford, and two, I thought throughout the offseason programs, Clifford threw a better ball and, while there were still ups and downs, found more success.

Running back (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, and Tyler Goodson

Running backs coach Ben Sirmans said that special teams play will be a key factor in deciding who the third running back is, just as it did a year ago when we saw Patrick Taylor in that role. When it comes to Goodson, he has worked as a return man, but with Keisean Nixon and Jayden Reed, he may need to find another way to contribute. Where that will be, I’m not sure, but he’s just too good with the ball in his hands for me to keep him off the team. Goodson has good vision, and burst, and can make defenders miss. He also brings versatility with his ability to line up away from the backfield and be a pass catcher.

Wide Receiver (5): Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks

If the Packers keep six receivers, I won’t be surprised whatsoever. However, given the number of pass-catching options they have in this offense between the receivers, running backs, and tight ends, it’s not a must either, given that the sixth receiver likely won’t see any or very little playing time. If they keep six, I’d still give Grant DuBose that edge since he was a draft pick, although he is yet to practice. When it comes to Malik Heath or Bo Melton, I need to seem them playing at a high level during training camp before giving them a roster spot.

Tight End (4): Josiah Deguara, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, and Tyler Davis

Putting this position group is about as easy as it gets. Deguara, Kraft, and Musgrave will all play key roles on offense while Davis led the team in special teams snaps a year ago and does at least have some experience in what is a very young room. Austin Allen and Camren McDonald are the only other tight ends on the roster.

Offensive Line (10): Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Elgton Jenkins, Royce Newman, David Bakhtiari, Caleb Jones, Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, and Sean Rhyan

I wasn’t willing to roster more than 10 offensive linemen so one member from last year’s team I had to leave off was Luke Tenuta, but throughout OTAs and minicamp, he was clearly behind Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones, both of whom were playing with the twos regularly. With Sean Rhyan being a former third-round pick, I think the Packers give him another chance, plus he’s taken some snaps at center, where it wouldn’t hurt to have another emergency option. Royce Newman was consistently with the second-team offense and even took some snaps with the ones at left guard when Jenkins was sitting out.

Interior Defensive Line (5): Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Colby Wooden, and Karl Brooks

We know these five will be on the final roster, and in not wanting to keep six, I had to leave off Jonathan Ford. Ford was on the 53-man roster last year but was often inactive, and this offseason, he is behind Wooden and Brooks. Although this is a heavily rotated position, I don’t see the Packers running a six-man rotation. Ultimately, I’d rather have that roster spot utilized elsewhere.

Edge Rusher (5): Preston Smith, Justin Hollins, JJ Enagbare, Brenton Cox, and Lukas Van Ness

PUP List: Rashan Gary

Until we see or hear differently, I’ll just assume that Rashan Gary begins the season on the PUP list. Cox comes loaded with upside and is someone that LaFleur specifically mentioned by name when discussing some of the young players that stood out during OTAs. I could see the Packers taking a similar approach with Cox this year as they did with Caleb Jones at offensive tackle last season, where they keep him on the 53-man roster as a developmental player, perhaps fearful that if on the practice squad, another team would sign him. Once Gary returns, however, whether at edge rusher or another position, a cut will have to be made. Given how much time Justin Hollins spent with the starters over the last month, he may not be a complete roster lock with his contract status, but he feels very close to it.

Linebacker (5): De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, and Tariq Carpenter

Perhaps the Packers feel a numbers crunch and want to keep just four linebackers, but I haven’t seen enough yet to determine if that might be the case or even who would be the odd man out–my guess would be Wilson with McDuffie and Carpenter still on rookie deals. All five of these players, however, have defined roles on this team, with Campbell and Walker as the starters, McDuffie as the clear third linebacker option, while also being a core special teams player along with Wilson and Carpenter.

Cornerback (5): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, and Carrington Valentine

PUP List: Eric Stokes

Just like with Gary, until I see otherwise, I’m going to assume Stokes begins on the PUP list. The Packers kept just five cornerbacks last season, and based on what I’ve seen and also from a numbers standpoint, that makes sense again. Ballentine was a core special teams player during the second half of last season and was consistently playing with the second team defense during minicamp. Valentine, a draft pick, brings special teams experience from Kentucky and, by the end of minicamp, was seeing snaps ahead of Shemar Jean-Charles. LaFleur also said that Valentine had done an “unbelievable job.”

Safety (6): Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Jonathan Owens, Anthony Johnson, Dallin Leavitt

This is a really tough one. I had to go back to 2016 to find the last time that the Packers kept six safeties. So it’s not unheard of, but, admittedly, it’s not likely either. I just am not sure where the team stands on Owens, Moore, or even Leavitt. Coming out of OTAs, Moore was who I viewed as the clear third option behind Savage and Ford. However, he would not participate during minicamp, giving Owens those reps. Leavitt is likely only going to be a special teams contributor, but I’m having a difficult time imagining a Packers roster without him. Odds are, Green Bay only keeps five at safety, but with that said, whether it be on defense, special teams, or both, Moore, Owens, and Leavitt all make a case for being on this team. Perhaps with the playing time at this position very much up in the air, the Packers prefer to have options.

Special Teams (3): Anders Carlson, Pat O’Donnell, and Matt Orzech

Daniel Whelan is the other punter on the roster, but having seen such a small sample size from this group, I’m going to go with O’Donnell and his experience at this time. There are cap savings for the Packers if they move on from him, but it is less than $2 million. Matt Orzech is one of two long-snappers on the roster, but after a signing a three-year deal (which is still relatively easy for the Packers to move on from if needed), he is the clear front-runner for that role.