A Way Too Early 53 Man Roster Prediction
Ladies and Gentlemen here are your 2020-2021 Green Bay Packers
Trying to predict the 53 man roster is always a difficult task because there are always surprises on the final roster cut down day. This offseason, the impact of Covid-19 has made an already difficult task even more difficult because rookie camps and OTA's have been happening via Zoom. Zoom sessions and happy hours are great and many players have commended the Packers coaching staff for their creativity and ability to keep it loose but unfortunately, it is impossible to track player development in a "break out" session. Lack of field time could give some returning Packers who have struggled, a leg up on the competition but I still believe that we will see enough game reps during the preseason (even if the players do not take the field until mid July or early August) to shake up the roster in the appropriate areas.
Here is my way too early 53 man roster prediction for the Green Bay Packers:
Quarterbacks (2):
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Jordan Love
Running Backs (4):
1. Aaron Jones
2. Jamaal Williams (He's just too productive to cut IMO, but I know the Packers could opt to go with Dillion as the RB 2).
3. A.J Dillion
4. Tyler Ervin
Tight Ends (3):
1. Jace Sternberger
2. Marcedes Lewis
3. Josiah Deguara
Surprise Cut: Robert Tonyan
Wide Receivers (6):
1. Davante Adams
2. Devin Funchess
3. Allen Lazard
4. Equanimeous St. Brown
5. Marquez Valdes-Scantling
6. Reggie Begelton
Offensive Line (9):
1. David Bakhtiari
2. Elgton Jenkins
3. Corey Linsley
4. Rick Wagner
5. Billy Turner
6. Lucas Patrick
7. Lane Taylor
8. Jon Runyan Jr.
9. Jared Veldheer (training camp signing)
Defensive Line (5):
1. Kenny Clark
2. Dean Lowry
3. Tyler Lancaster
4. Treyvon Hester
5. Kingsley Keke
Edge Rushers (6):
1. Za'Darius Smith
2. Preston Smith
3. Rashan Gary
4. Clay Matthews (I know it's an uncharacteristic signing but I really think he fits this system as a situational pass rusher alongside the Smith Bros.)
5. Jonathan Garvin
6. Tim Williams
Inside Linebackers (4):
1. Christian Kirksey
2. Kamal Martin
3. Oren Burks
4. Curtis Bolton
Cornerbacks (7):
1. Jaire Alexander
2. Kevin King
3. Chandon Sullivan
4. Tramon Williams (late signing, veteran minimum)
5. Josh Jackson (last chance)
6. Ka'Dar Hollman
7. Stanford Samuels (UDFA, Florida ST., who was very productive in the ACC. I really think he could rise up the depth chart and eventually replace Josh Jackson).
Safeties (4):
1. Adrian Amos
2. Darnell Savage
3. Raven Greene
4. Vernon Scott
Special Teams (3):
1. Mason Crosby
2. JK Scott
3. Hunter Bradley
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David Michalski is a staff writer for Cheesehead TV. He can be found on Twitter @kilbas27dave
Comments (30)
stockholder
June 07, 2020 at 06:43 am
Nice job! Summers over bolton.
jannesbjornson
June 07, 2020 at 03:26 pm
Summers over Burks.
Packer_Fan
June 07, 2020 at 08:21 am
Most is ok. I would frp Veldheer and choose one of the other two draft picks. But Veldheer is a good add during the season if injuries occur. And don't add Matthews. Rather pick up a DL veteran for depth. Tramon Williams is a good selection. Not much depth. If he us signed, he will end up playing at least half of the snaps.
Coldworld
June 07, 2020 at 08:35 am
No to Clay Matthews and I think they won’t carry that many OLBs on the 53.
Too few safeties given that you don’t have a group for the hybrid position. No to going in that light over these two positions. Did we not learn from last year? I think Pettine did when he admitted it forced him to go db heavy. You have effectively no back up to Savage and Amos and only one player able to step up for Greene.
I think Redmond will make it for special teams and deep S cover and probably one additional slightly larger DB if the type brought in this summer, likely a choice resting on special teams. If Jackson makes the team, that may be his role.
Summers has a very good chance of making the team in my view, on special teams acumen and upside.
Agree with you on RB. Williams should still be a valuable part of the offense as the primary passing threat.
While we may sign one of Williams or Valdheer, but I don’t see us signing both. I’m confident we won’t sign Matthews. Injuries could tip that scale.
I do wonder who is Deguara’s back up at H back. If the role is critical to the offense, who steps in if he gets hurt. Sternberger is our number one TE now and Lewis doesn’t seem a candidate. Likewise, if Sternberger is injured, you cut the most obvious replacement, unless you can see Funchess there, which could be an option I suppose. Maybe there is a second H Back or a 3rd true TE.
dobber
June 07, 2020 at 11:24 am
I agree in that 6 OLB is unrealistic. I think the most they've kept in recent memory is 5. I also find myself scratching my head over the backups on the OL. I think they keep 9, but that renegotiating Taylor makes Patrick expendable in favor of a young OL.
You point out a very important depth piece at S and CB: once you get into the DB group, the lines start to blur a little bit, especially with Savage being able to walk up and play the slot from time to time, and with other DBs able to play S or ILB. Sometimes it's hard to look at position groups and attribute players.
I think your point that Funchess grants some flexibility--especially in that Graham was not very frequently an inline TE--in running some of those routes is a key one, but I think they keep 4 TEs and one on the PS. It seems that given how prominently TE figures into this offense, that keeping only 3 seems unlikely: especially in that two on this list have less than half a season of NFL snaps between them, and the third is pretty much a blocking specialist.
Guam
June 07, 2020 at 08:29 am
RB's: I think they keep another H back / full back as well. I know they drafted Deguara but to run a SF style offense you will need more than one at that position.
WR: I don't think they keep six WR's given the increased emphasis on the run game. Pick the weakest preseason from Lazard, MVS, ESB, Begelton as the casualty.
OL: I don't think they can afford Veldheer (or Matthews or Williams for that matter). I would give that spot to another of their sixth round picks.
OLB/ILB: I don't think they keep six edge. Leave out Matthews and retain Summers at ILB.
Safety: I'm hoping they move Jackson to safety. He doesn't fit at CB for Pettine's aggressive man scheme.
Thegravedigger
June 08, 2020 at 12:13 pm
Lazard could literally shit his pants in a preseason game and he would not be a cut candidate. He will be the number wr. Everyone keeps bringing up full season stats to bolster there argument that the packers dont have any wrs besides davante. But lazard didnt play until week 6 and idk the stats off the top of my head but he was instantly a solid sure handed number 2 wr that could also create separation. And barring injury, hes only gonna get better. If you think for a second hes a cut candidate then you werent watching close enough last year. Its possible hes a Jarrett boykin but you have to give him another season at least. When the ball was thrown his way he went up and got it, on 3rd down and late in games. Funchess will be the number 3 at best at least to start the year.
PackEyedOptimist
June 07, 2020 at 08:54 am
Hmmm... Mostly agree, but you have some surprising predictions.
I don't see any way they cut a young, rising, athletic, quality ST player, strong-leadership guy like Ty Summers (who could also play OLB) and sign a virtually over-the-hill, possible locker room problem, like Clay Matthews.
I don't see adding Veldheer unless they lose a starter to injury. Not when they have a good group of young, athletic OL to put in there (Jake Hanson? Light? Nijman? and don't count out Spriggs who is only 25 years old), OR to keep a 3rd QB in Boyle.
Tramon, Josh Jackson, and Stanford Samuels are all a less than 50/50 probability of making the 53, in my opinion. More likely Ento.
I think Bob Tonyan sticks again; if not him, another TE.
Johnblood27
June 07, 2020 at 09:17 am
Spriggs signed with the bares
13TimeChamps
June 07, 2020 at 02:04 pm
When has CMIII ever been a locker room problem?
Thegravedigger
June 08, 2020 at 12:25 pm
I heard that clay was a prick and a big part of the lack of team unity and nonexistant culture in gb. Dont jump on me for saying this cus i cant even quote the source cus its just grapevineness.
Oppy
June 08, 2020 at 08:21 pm
I don't think CMIII has ever been "a problem", but I don't see him being the kind of selfless player that would take kindly to sharing reps with 3 other OLBs. He's going to want to go to a team that makes him the focal point of the pass rush.. and pays him like one.
For what it's worth, despite the way it was spun (especially by some GB fans), CMIII was NOT fond of playing inside. He didn't graciously make the sacrifice because it's what the team needed; he did it because he was told he had to do it. He's not a team first guy. I just don't see him being thrilled with being in GB and having to share snaps with Smith, Smith, and Gary.
mnbadger
June 07, 2020 at 09:12 am
This will be more meaningful in six or seven weeks, but I like the list.
My changes, keep cmiii but at inside linebacker, moving Martin to ps. JJ to safety, need one more.
Keep tonyan and drop veldheer for te depth and special teams.
I'm also hoping to pick up veteran DL and ILB at some point during preseason.
TheVOR
June 07, 2020 at 09:28 am
Wish they could find a way to sign Mathews to a franchise friendly 2 year deal to play ILB. Love the idea of Jason Veldheer being resigned, that dude is a tool belt, and you don't miss a beat with him coming off the bench when needed. Really like that player!
dobber
June 07, 2020 at 10:31 am
My primary beef with this list, David, is that putting players on the 53 who aren't currently under contract (or who the Packers drafted) kills the analysis. Veldheer? CMIII? Come on, man. If you're going to do that, then start being a little more creative--Timmy Jernigan or Snacks. This is less a roster prediction, than it is a wish list.
gr7070
June 07, 2020 at 10:30 am
Bringing back former Packers is the laziest form of journalism/fandom ever! There's three on this list.
Absurd.
cheesehead1
June 07, 2020 at 10:40 am
No to Matthews, but Valdheer brings some valuable experience. Really hoping Begelton shows well in camp and secures a spot. His would be a great story.
cheesehead1
June 07, 2020 at 10:40 am
No to Mathews, but yes to Veldheer for his experience and showing last year. Hoping Begelton has a great camp to prove he belongs.
PDX_Packfan
June 07, 2020 at 10:58 am
I could also see someone like Dequoy making the cut if he shows well. Tramon has been replaced by Sullivan. Also can't risk losing Hanson as he will be Linsley's replacement, unless... Lane Taylor to center?
splitpea1
June 07, 2020 at 11:05 am
Let's forget about Clay Matthews, but thank you for cutting M. Adams. I hope we'll add another D-lineman somewhere along the line.
jeepingmakooi
June 07, 2020 at 01:03 pm
I don't see Clay coming in... So he stays out.. I also don't see Tim Williams making the 53.. keep Robert tonyan.. and I see ty Summers sticking around on the 53 because of his special teams play.
Kolo
June 07, 2020 at 04:22 pm
Clay Mathews - It isn't going to happen and not at OLB. The Smith's showed us what good edge rushers look like.
Reggie Begelton - This feel good story is a long shot. Based on your Clay pick I am surprised you didn't predict Jordy Nelson. Kudos to you there.
Vernon Scott - I don't see them keeping 4 safeties as Scott isn't the 53rd best player on their roster.
dobber
June 07, 2020 at 02:08 pm
I counted it when I first read it to see the distribution of offense/defense, and I got 53 (and I still do).
Kolo
June 07, 2020 at 04:22 pm
I recounted and you are correct.
Lphill
June 07, 2020 at 05:56 pm
No to Scantling , T Williams and Josh Jones , and bring back Clay to help at both inside and outside linebacker. Ty Summers makes the team , he can play inside and outside as well .
Oppy
June 07, 2020 at 08:08 pm
5 WRs active; 1 WR from current roster to PS.
They don't cut Tonyan. M. Lewis wont be around too much longer; Tonyan is part of the future at TE.
I might literally load my pants if the Packers bring in CMIII. Move forward, not backward. You know who really fits the scheme rotating in with Z. and P. Smith? Rashan Gary. That young man needs reps. Not CMIII. Hard pass on CMIII.
CoachDino
June 08, 2020 at 02:19 am
Fun exercise...
Few moves could be made with names not mentioned.
Clay? for Min Salary, few snaps per game with no Special teams value sticks out as a no go.
Why hasnt JV been signed or even mentioned as a FA in most publications? I thought he was ok, but more a case of over valueing him due to a small sample of snaps that he didn't screw up. It did work out last year. How about using the big boy from the Practice Squad Yasim? or a draft pick instead. Wouldn't doubt if the "plan" is still to use Turner or maybe even lang at RT.
Cut Tonyan? He is in the future plans as a rec TE. He adds ST value where others dont.
Same for Ty Summers. By cutting 2 of the Edge guys theres room for Tonyan and Summers.
Ones that stick out as debatable are Tramon -He has to lose a step sooner or later, not a ST and it's nice to start grooming the young guys. He doesn't play at the Veteran Min - he commands a few mil or so.
Cut Boyle? I see why but he will be a better back-up (most likely) then Love year 1. Showcase him in Preseason and see if there are ant takers for a player or Draft Pick.
Ther's always the IR guys that will factor in and which guys will clear waivers and won't be signed to practice squads - Lucked out last year keeping Sheppard and cutting Lazard.
Great conversation starter.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 08, 2020 at 06:44 am
CM3, Tramon and Veldheer cannot all be signed, imo. I would not be surprised by a blockbuster trade of a good player. The most likely is Aaron Jones, followed by Bakh and Clark.
Oppy
June 08, 2020 at 08:09 pm
I could see the Aaron Jones trade.
I don't think a team ever trades away a top tier LT with tread left on the tires- especially at a point in the teams' cycle where they are probably just a few seasons out from a change of starting QBs, and Kenny Clark is far too talented and young to trade away. We all know Ron Wolf's adage about large, athletic defensive linemen.
Duneslick
June 08, 2020 at 03:06 pm
What about Raven Greene