The NFL off-season, or at least the “transactions” part, has
come and gone. Teams have set their 90-man rosters and are only tweaking the
back end of them at this point. Let’s dive right in and let our man T.J. Bryce
look into his crystal ball to see what he thinks that the Packers final 53-man
roster will be. This is a very early estimate of what will come to be the "53," and it's worth noting that there are always a few stand out performances by players that were "on the bubble."
(Note: PS Stands for Practice Squad)
Quarterbacks (2)- Aaron Rodgers (Stop laughing,) Deshone
Kizer, Tim Boyle (PS). Cut- Brett Hundley.
Well, all know about
that broken collarbone, and we also know that Brett Hundley showed the world he
has no business being an NFL quarterback, even a backup. DeShone Kizer is a
unique project and will still only be 22 for this season, despite having a year
in the league under his belt already. Tim Boyle goes to the practice squad.
Running Backs(4)- Jamal Williams, Aaron Jones, Devonte Mays,
Ty Montgomery. Cut- Joel Bouagnon.
We all know who the four running backs will be. It is hard
to pick a starter between Williams and Jones, as they will both split carries.
Mays will get some work, and Montgomery will be turned into a running back/wide
receiver hybrid.
Fullbacks(1): Aaron
Ripkowski. Cut: Joe Kerridge.
Joe Kerridge has been a great
story, but the story ends here, as the Packers just don’t have a roster spot
for him anymore. Aaron Ripkowski is the Packers lead blocker for the foreseeable
future.
Wide Receivers(7)- Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo
Allison, Trevor Davis, J’Mon Moore, Eqaunimeous
St. Brown, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Michael Clark(PS), DeAngelo Yancey(PS).
Cut- Jake Kumerow, Colby Pearson.
Even without Jordy Nelson, the Packers suddenly have a deep
wide receiver corps thanks to the draft. I think they keep seven of them, as
teams will pounce if they try to sneak one of the three rookies onto the
practice squad. Yancey and Clark head back there for a second season.
Tight Ends(3)- Jimmy Graham, Lance Kendricks, Emmanuel Byrd,
Ryan Smith(PS). Cut- Keven Rader, Robert Tonyan.
The Packers big off season splash was the signing of tight
end Jimmy Graham. Kendricks will be the backup, and Byrd will be used in goal-line situations.
Offensive Lineman(9)- David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey
Linsley, Cole Madison, Brian Bulaga, Jason Spriggs, Justin McCray, Kyle Murphy,
Adam Pankey, Austin Davis(PS). Cut- Dillon Day, Patrick Lucas, Kofi Amichia,
Kyle Meadows.
David Bakhtiari has quite possibly
become the best left tackle in the
NFL. Lane Taylor is a good pro. Corey Linsley is
a great center. Cole Madison will compete for the right guard spot from day
one. This is Brian Bulaga’s last chance to stay healthy for an entire season
and if Jason Spriggs takes that next step Bulaga might find himself on the
bench or even gone. Offensive lineman are
the hardest unit to predict who the backups will be. I did my best.
Defensive Lineman(6)- Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry,
Montravius Adams, James Looney, Muhammed Wilkerson, Conor Sheehy(PS), Tyler
Lancaster(PS). Cut- Filipo Mokofisi.
The Packers other big free agent splash was Muhammed Wilkerson,
who has experience in Mike Pettine’s system
and has played the best football of his life in that system. Mike Daniels is a monster pass rusher who gives many a
quarterback nightmares. They still expect big things from Montravius Adams, who
is finally healthy.
Linebackers(8)- Clay Matthews, Nick
Perry, Vince Biegel, Oren Burks, Blake Martinez, Reggie Gilbert, Jake Ryan, Chris
Odom, Kendall Donnerson(PS). Cut- Kyler Fackrell, Parris Bennett, Naashon
Hughes, C.J. Johnson, Greer Martini, Marcus Porter, Ahmad Thomas.
Not much to say here. Oren Burks could get a starting job
week one. The 7th round rookie goes to the practice squad. Kyler
Fackrell did not develop like they had hoped, and the rest are just camp
bodies.
Cornerbacks(5)- Joshua Jackson, Jaire Alexander, Tramon
Williams, Davon House, Kevin King. Cut- Donatello Brown, Herb Waters, Demitri
Goodson, Josh Hawkins, Lenzy Pipkens.
The Packers biggest hole this off season was cornerback, and Brian Gutekunst did a great job of fixing it. We know who the five
corners will be. The question is, who will start? That is going to be one
outstanding competition all summer and into training camp.
Safeties(5)- Josh Jones, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, Marwin Evans,
Kentrell Brice, Quinten Rollins, Raven Greene(PS). Cut- Jermaine Whitehead.
After a great rookie campaign, Josh Jones steps into a
bigger role with the departure of Morgan Burnett. Clinton-Dix has become one of
the game’s best deep safeties. I think Rollins switches to safety. Whitehead is
a tough cut but it must be done.
Special Teams(3)- Mason Crosby, JK Scott, Zach Triner. Cut- Hunter Bradley.
Crosby is the Packers all-time leading scorer, one of the
best kickers of his generation, and perhaps a future hall of famer. JK Scott has a big leg and they cut
Justin Vogel as a sign of confidence, plus he asked to be cut anyways. I have
no idea why Hunter Bradley is still on the 90-man roster.
Well there you have it, my best attempt at a Packers 53.
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