Ranking Packers Rookies After Roster Cuts And Preseason

The Green Bay Packers have successfully navigated the twists and turns of training camp and the preseason, shaping their 53-man roster and 16-man practice squad. While a sprinkle of adjustments might still be in the offing over the coming days, weeks, and months, the foundational core of the team is now firmly in place.

In my playbook, I’ve been diligently ranking the Packers’ rookies following every preseason clash, and for this round, I’m rolling out the preseason finale edition. Remember, these rankings are only based on their projected contributions this year and not a long-term outlook. It also only counts the players on the roster, and not the practice squad.

We’re buckled up to keep tabs on what’s brewing with the promising 2023 Packers’ draft class, providing you with the weekly rundown on where they stand. No more dilly-dallying; let’s cut straight to the chase and unveil the curtain on the preseason swan song of the Packers’ rookie rankings.

Let’s rank all of the rookies on the Green Bay Packers following the completion of preseason and the announcement of their 53-man roster.

1. Luke Musgrave (Round 2, Pick 42) (Previously 1)
2. Jayden Reed (Round 2, Pick Pick 50) (Previously 2)
3. Anders Carlson (Round 6, Pick 207) (Previously 3)
4. Lukas Van Ness (Round 1, Pick 13) (Previously 4)
5. Tucker Kraft (Round 3, Pick 78) (Previously 5)
6. Daniel Whelan (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously Not Ranked)
7. Malik Heath (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 8)
8. Karl Brooks (Round 6, Pick 179) (Previously 7)
9. Colby Wooden (Round 4, Pick 116) (Previously 6)
10. Carrington Valentine (Round 6, Pick 232) (Previously 9)
11. Anthony Johnson Jr (Round 6, Pick 242) (Previously 10)
12. Dontayvion Wicks (Round 5, Pick 159) (Previously 11)
13. Sean Clifford (Round 5, Pick 149) (Previously 12)
14. Brenton Cox Jr (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 13)
15. Emanuel Wilson (Undrafted Free Agent (Previously Not Ranked)

Dropped Off:

• Henry Pearson (Undrafted Free Agent) (Previously 14)
• Grant DuBose (Round 7, Pick 256) (Previously 15)
• Lew Nichols (Round 7, Pick 235) (Previously 16)

Jayden Reed: I thought about moving him up to the top spot, considering we’re still waiting for more information about Romeo Doubs’ hamstring injury. However, it might be more accurate to label Luke Musgrave as 1A and Reed as 1B at this point, especially if Doubs’ injury keeps him out for any period of time.

Daniel Whelan: It was an oversight of mine not to have him on this list before now. Whelan beat out veteran Pat O’Donnell to earn the starting punting job and has a booming leg. He also ranks so high because he’ll be the holder on Anders Carlson’s kicks and we all know what kind of rollercoaster ride that’s about to be.

Malik Heath: As expected, Heath made the initial roster. He should be fourth on the depth chart and could even bump up a spot depending on Doubs’ injury. Potentially entering Week 1 as the Packers’ third receiver is why he bumped up a spot this week.

Emanuel Wilson: Wilson makes his debut in these rankings as a surprise addition to the Packers’ roster. He ran well enough to supplant Patrick Taylor, who made the practice squad, and earn the Packers’ third running back job. We’ll see how much of an opportunity he’ll actually get and if he’ll even be active on game days. For now, we celebrate his accomplishment.