Predicting The Packers Final 53 Man Roster

Channeling my inner Brian Gutekunst

It is now time to channel my inner Brian Gutekunst as I attempt to predict the Packers final 53 man roster.

The Packers will have to cut down their roster from the current 79 to 53 by tuesday. We have already seen them get rid of 11 players in the past couple weeks.

For the past hour or so I have been sitting on my couch in my apartment crunching the numbers. It feels like I am in moneyball (except that I have no control over anything).

Will we keep 8 wide receivers? Will Samori Toure make the cut? Which running back gets the final spot? Will recently acquired safety Micah Abernathy beat all odds and make the roster?

There are lots of tough decisions that are going to have to be made by the Packers. A majority of the roster is set but there are question marks near the end of each position.

Here is my best guess on the final 53.

QB (2): Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love

Last year the Packers decided to keep just two quarterbacks on their roster and I believe the same thing will happen again. In the past couple months the Packers moved on from Kurt Benkert which showed that they see more value in Danny Etling.

He’s had some flashes this preseason including that crazy 51 yards touchdown run, but with the needs at other positions I don’t see them keeping him on the roster. He’ll likely be placed on the practice squad.

Jordan Love has taken huge strides forward this preseason. He has been inconsistent and still has lots of room for improvement, but the Packers seem very happy about how far he’s come.

RB (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Tyler Goodson

This has been one of the biggest battles of training camp. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are locks but Tyler Goodson and Patrick Taylor are the two guys vying for that final spot.

With Tyler Goodson being an undrafted rookie out of Iowa he had a long way to go to win the job. Every single preseason game he has had incredible runs that make me think he’s just way too talented to not make the roster. One day if Aaron Jones leaves Green Bay Tyler Goodson could potentially fill his shoes. He has everything you want. Speed. Vision. The ability to cut back in an instant. He doesn’t have the power that Patrick Taylor has but he has the IT factor.

WR (7): Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree

Out of all of the competitions in Green Bay this has been the hottest debate among Packers fans.

The question this entire camp has been how many wide receivers will the Packers keep? Before this week if you read one of my former Packers Q&A’s (another will be dropping soon so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss it) I predicted the Packers would keep 7 receivers. I’m sticking with that.

Samori Toure did make it hard for me after last night’s performance where he had 6 receptions for 83 yards. I debated the Packers keeping 8 receivers which they have done once in the past couple years. I just think it’s too much. Aaron Rodgers has praised Juwann Winfree and considering he’s had more time here in Green Bay I’m going to say he makes the cut.

I believe the rest of the guys are locks.

TE (4): Robert Tonyan, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, Tyler Davis

There has been lots of talk about Tyler Davis after his poor performances in the first two pre-season games. I was starting to think he may not make the roster. However after watching Matt Lafluers press conference speaking on Davis I think he stays. Lefleur had lots of high praise for Davis and stated that he has done lots of very positive things.

OL (10): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan Jr, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Caleb Jones

The Packers the past few years have kept 9 offensive lineman but I think they will need to keep 10 this year.

There is still a question as to whether or not Bakhtiari and Jenkins will be able to start week 1. They are off of the PUP list but still working to be able to get back to full strength.

The starting lineup we have seen a lot this training camp/preseason has been:

• LT: Yosh Nijman

• LG: Jon Runyan Jr.

• C: Josh Myers

• RG: Jake Hanson

• RT: Royce Newman

Because of that all of those guys are locks. Rookie Zach Tom has come in at RT and played very well. He was also utilized at LG last night so they could plan to use him there in the future depending on injuries.

Sean Rhyan will make the roster because he was a 3rd round pick. He is going to take some more time to develop. Caleb Jones is a monster of a man at 6’9 and I don’t think the Packers will want to let him go.

Now onto the defense.

DL (6): Kenny Clark, Jarran Reed, Dean Lowry, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Jack Heflin

This is one of the deepest defensive lines the Packers have had in a long time. I cannot wait to see just how dominant they can be in the next few weeks. WATCH OUT MINNESOTA! Time to sack Kirk Cousins 5 plus times week 1.

TJ Slaton is now coming into year 2. He looks head and shoulders above where he was last year. Devonte Wyatt is going to take some time to adjust to the NFL level but once he does watch out.

Jack Heflin has been a menace on defense. Last night he full on pancaked the running back in the backfield. I may need a Jack Heflin jersey. Dudes a beast.

Chris Slayton flashed at times but I think he just misses the cut.

(4)ILB: De’vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Isaiah Mcduffie

This is the deepest the Packers have been at inside linebacker in a long time. Every position group on defense is loaded with talent.

Quay Walker has the speed that you dream of for an inside linebacker. He’s shown it this preseason. The Packers may just have the best inside linebacker duo in the NFL. Two 6’4 linebackers in the middle of the defense who can fly to the ball. SIGN ME UP. Man oh man this defense is going to be special. (I just had deja vu like I’ve written this exact article before…weird….anyways back to the article)

If the Packers had not drafted Quay Walker, part of me thinks Isaiah Mcduffie would be pushing Krys Barnes for that second linebacker spot. He’s so much better than he was last year. NFL player’s jumps from year 1 to 2 are real.

(4) OLB: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Jonathan Garvin

I know it’s only the pre-season but I’m in awe of just how much talent the Packers found in this draft. Kingsley Enagbare is looking like a steal in the 5th round. He’s going to be special. We’ve seen it this pre-season. I think he will be the Packers 3rd edge rusher behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith before all things are said and done this season.

I debated whether the Packers would keep 4 or 5 edge rushers. Kobe Jones and Tipa Galeai were also in consideration. I think that Jonathan Garvin slightly beats those guys out.

(5) CB: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Kesean Nixon, Shemar Jean Charles

Another rookie draft pick from 2021, 5th rounder Shemar Jean Charles, is taking that next step forward. Every game this preseason he’s been making plays on the ball. Nothing stood out watching him last year but things seem to be changing for Shemar. It’s great to see.

Keisean Nixon was brought in this off-season from the Raiders and is a big special teams piece. He makes the cut in my opinion.

Rico Gafford and Kiondre Thomas showed some flashes this pre season. If the Packers decide to keep Gafford it’s because of his value on special teams.

I feel for these guys who give everything to the sport and don’t make the final roster. I wish the Packers could keep everybody but that’s not the reality of the NFL.

(5) S: Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Dallin Leavitt, Shawn Davis, Micah Abernathy

The Packers have talked consistently about Dallin Leavitt’s value on special teams. He played with special teams coordinator Rich Bissacia in Las Vegas so there is no way they let him go. He’s dealt with a shoulder injury the past couple weeks but he’ll still make the roster.

Shawn Davis seems like a solid depth piece and with Vernon Scott now gone and Dallin Leavitt dealing with an injury he may be the Packers 3rd safety right now. Even with Leavitt healthy there’s a good chance he’s ahead of him on the depth chart.

Micah Abernathy was only brought in a couple weeks ago but he’s made some splash plays. He had a nice interception and tackle for loss in his first preseason game and last night he was the Packers leading tackler with 4 tackles. I was debating between him and Tariq Carpenter (2022 7th round pick) but I landed on Abernathy.

K (1): Mason Crosby

Mason Crosby has been dealing with an injury all camp. Hopefully he is ready to go week 1. If not it is the Ramiz Ahmed show (unless the Packers sign another kicker).

P (1): Pat O’donnell

The Packers made a move for former Bear’s punter this off-season and he’s been a beast. He can boot it.

LS (1): Jack Coco

The Packers got rid of Steven Wirtel in the past month which leaves Coco as the only man left for the job. The Packers could try to find another long snapper but for now Coco is the man.

Those are my predictions.

It’s been a fun ride this entire training camp and pre-season as we’ve watched these players battle it out.

I am so ready for the season to start.

If you have subscribed to this newsletter I want to know I appreciate you very much. I have a new found love for writing. Thank you for your support! Feel free to comment your thoughts.

GO PACK GO!