Way-too-early Packers 53-man roster prediction
An early prediction of what Green Bay's initial 53-man roster could look like.
By markoldacres
With the NFL Draft now done and dusted, there is further clarity on what Green Bay’s roster could look like entering the 2022 season.
Of course, there is still time for a veteran or two to be added before the new campaign, and training camp battles will be crucial in helping to decide the final few roster spots, but I decided to take a way-too-early look at what the Packers initial 53-man roster could look like. Here is my best guess, along with some observations.
Quarterback (2): Jordan Love, Aaron Rodgers.
Kurt Benkert made it a tough decision for Brian Gutekunst last season, and he will do so again, but ultimately miss out on the 53-man roster and end up on the practice squad.
Running back (3): A.J. Dillon, Kylin Hill, Aaron Jones.
There is potential for Green Bay to keep four running backs if either Tyler Goodson or Patrick Taylor impress in pre-season, and if Hill starts the season on the PUP list as he returns from an ACL injury, one of the two former UDFA’s have a real chance to crack the 53.
Wide receiver (6): Randall Cobb, Romeo Doubs, Allen Lazard, Amari Rodgers, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson.
I don’t see any other veterans being added at wide receiver, as the room is already crowded and unless the Packers opt to keep a seventh wideout, Samori Toure, Juwann Winfree and Malik Taylor will likely be on the outside looking in and be retained on the practice squad.
Tight end (4): Tyler Davis, Josiah Deguara, Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan.
If Tonyan starts the season on PUP, Dominique Dafney could make the initial roster. It will be interesting to see how Tyler Davis performs in pre-season after Gutekunst praised him during the draft.
Offensive line (9): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Sean Rhyan, Jon Runyan, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker.
The battle for a starting spot at right guard and right tackle figures to be one of the most fiercely contested this summer. After heavy investment through the draft along the offensive line in recent years, the Packers have both quality and depth. If Jenkins enters the season on PUP, Cole Van Lanen could benefit and make the 53.
Defensive line (6): Kenny Clark, Jonathan Ford, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, T.J. Slaton, Devonte Wyatt.
Whether Ford ends up making the roster or the Packers run with five defensive linemen instead will largely depend on how he acquits himself on special teams.
EDGE (5): Kingsley Enagbare, Jonathan Garvin, Rashan Gary, Randy Ramsey, Preston Smith.
This is a spot where a veteran addition could be made in the Whitney Mercilus mould to sure up the rotation. Garvin will enter the season aged just 23 and I have him making the roster currently as he offers more upside than Tipa Galeai, along with Randy Ramsey who would likely have made the 2021 roster if not for injury.
Middle linebacker (5): Krys Barnes, Ellis Brooks, De’Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie, Quay Walker.
Look out for Ellis Brooks in pre-season. He was very much a draftable player and has the potential to play all three downs. McDuffie projects to replace Ty Summers as a special teams contributor.
Cornerback (6): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Kabion Ento, Shemar Jean-Charles, Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes.
Ento feels like the cornerback version of Yosh Nijman. A guy who Gutekunst keeps around year after year, clearly seeing something in him which he believes can be developed. Ento and Nijman were also born just one day apart. I think this is the year Ento makes the 53-man roster, barring a veteran addition.
Safety (4): Adrian Amos, Tariq Carpenter, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott.
Scott could face stiff competition from Innis Gaines in training camp, but he was kept on the 53-man roster for the entire 2021 season and looks a favourite to make it once again. Carpenter figures to be a key contributor to Rich Bisaccia’s special teams units.
Kicker (1): Mason Crosby
There are currently three kickers on the Packers roster, but in the end, I think Bisaccia will go with the experienced Crosby and put his poor 2021 season down to a below-par field goal operation and protection.
Punter (1): Pat O’Donnell.
Crosby’s roommate is a lock to make the roster.
Long snapper (1): Steven Wirtel.
Please insert any potentially superior long snapper whom the Packers could pick up as a free agent as you wish.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (52)
splitpea1
May 08, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Someone stronger and heavier than Wirtel, who is a bit on the light side; I'm having flashbacks to the SF playoff loss. The only notable free agent I'm seeing now is Matt Overton, who is 36 but definitely experienced (obviously). I'm sure a couple more will pop up later.
Since'61
May 08, 2022 at 01:32 pm
On the DL I would chuck Lowry, pick up the cap savings and go with Ford. If nothing else Ford should be harder to move than Lowry who gets pushed around pretty regularly. The rest looks good. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 02:04 pm
Surely Ford is more of a Lancaster replacement, not that I don’t see moving Lowry as a possibility during the summer.
Swisch
May 08, 2022 at 06:04 pm
Sure, pick on the Northwestern guys.
I really wish I could say I went there on an athletic scholarship, but I had to sneak in with an Evans Scholarship for golf caddies (class of 1984).
During those days, as best I can remember, the team lost more than 30 games in a row to set a dubious record (with Dennis Green as one of the unfortunate head coaches).
Students celebrated by tossing goal posts over the top of the stadium and throwing them into Lake Michigan. Even the president of the university seemed to get a kick out of the youthful exuberance (with the boisterous procession stopping by his house on the way to the lake) -- but then we ran out of goal posts, even sending in a diving team for recovery.
The good news was that students could go to the football games for free. However, after a thrashing by Ohio State of about 63-7, and a similar drubbing by Purdue, I decided the cost was still too high.
In the recent past, I was really hoping the promising Danny Vitale would make it as a Packer, as he not only attended Northwestern but my high school in Wheaton, Illinois (different building, though, and my building was different than the one attended by legendary alum Red Grange, who visited our school in 1978 during my days as a student).
By the way, these rambling memories are subject to error in my old age of almost 60, but I present them as best I can for the purpose of possible entertainment, as well as to pass the time in between whittling and dozing.
LLCHESTY
May 08, 2022 at 06:58 pm
I don't really see them keeping 6 unless Barry plans on playing base a lot more this year. Ford and Heflin seem like pretty safe slides to the PS. Unless Ford beats Slaton out, then things would get a bit more complicated.
greengold
May 09, 2022 at 05:16 am
Couldn’t agree more, Since’61.
Last year’s 53 Man Roster included Clark, Lowry, Keke, Slaton, Lancaster & Heflin for 6 DL.
This year: Clark, Wynn, Reed, Slaton, Ford, Lowry? Thinking odds might favor a move of Lowry. Then again, maybe not. They see something in him they like, judging by most of Jerry Montgomery’s comments on Lowry going back years.
There’s this kid they had in for a pre draft visit that for no reason kind of piqued my interest:
UDFA DT Akial Byers. Missouri 6-4 305 81 3/4” Wingspan
78 TACKLES 8.5 TFL 2 SACKS 2 PD 3 FR 1 FF in1445 career snaps
He looks like a total badass. His power is felt by ball carriers. Tall, solid, trim, Gets some pass rush from 3-Tech. A lot of pushing OL around, clogging running lanes. A true garbage man who does the dirty work, while others clean up stats. Shoots gaps. Disruptor who is rarely on the ground.
—
Also:
UDFA DT Hauati Pututau - Utah
6-3 310
He’s an ascending talented 5-Tech, with most of his stats piled into his 12 starts in 14 games played 2021. Hauati is from Tonga, where they don’t eat until they are full, they eat until they get tired. (That last bit is my own personal note, as I have a dear friend from Tonga). Went away on mission as a LB, returned as a DT…
In 57 games 55 TACKLES, 27 SOLO, 6 SACKS, 11.5 TFL and 13 PD! + 1 INT
>>>>> You just KNOW Packers Scouts latched onto DT Hauati Pututau while scouting his teammate Devin Lloyd.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 04:13 pm
Lowry is there for the passing downs. Keep Heflin on the P squad. They didn't follow my draft guidelines and are missing the dime CB. I would bag a free agent. Carpenter is an ILB, not a safety. He is a linear guy for coverage units. They should meditate for a bit and realize the dime safety bullshit is over. I would have bagged Honey Badger, but they hung on to Savage. Hill seems like a guy to replace with a RB who knows how to execute a cut. Both Slaton and Ford are relatively "lean" for guys pushing 330#.
They go nose to 2 tech as plugs in short yardage and definitely on punt and FG down linemen.
greengold
May 08, 2022 at 05:47 pm
I’ll be SHOCKED if Dean Lowry sticks on the 53... but, he did have his best year last season. A lot left to play out.
Talk all you want about what you think Carpenter is. He’s a HYBRID. So is Ray Wilborn. Joe Barry might be putting both to good use in some kind of way yet to be shared. Maybe not, but both Carpenter & Wilborn were Safeties, and both were (+) defenders at Georgia Tech and Ball State respectively, with nearly identical physical profiles. Tackling machines who can cover.
AND, both excel equally well in coverage and run stop. Both have immense length and speed.
Packers signed UDFA Raleigh Texada, and had 2 others in this weekend as tryouts. Also signed S Tre Sterling as a UDFA out of Oklahoma St.
Best to just wait and see on ALL of this stuff. None of us knows…
I sure don’t, but I’m super interested to find out their intents and decisions. D & STs ought to be pretty exciting this year.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 06:04 pm
I followed both in college. The Wake Forest team was under-rated. They brought in a #One pick to be the other three-down LB. Why would they need the hybrid/rover to get crushed as in previous seasons when they showed the look on third and long and the opponents ran it down their throats. It's a college defense. I like Wilborn over Summers all day, all year, last season, but they play the drafted favorites game in Cheeseland. Sp. Teams aces. Barry likes the four man fronts. They better keep 6 for the D line. He will blitz more this season. I will still back Tipa on the pass rush downs. Shawn Davis did a better job than Black or Scott. The Florida DBs generally know the Game.
greengold
May 08, 2022 at 09:38 pm
Maybe there’s a bigger picture in play, Jannes. I’ve been thinking that ever since Barry came in. They signed Ray Wilborn & Christian Uphoff UDFA last year for a reason: PROTOTYPE. They realized early Christian Uphoff was no Jeremy Chinn because he lacked the 2” of arm length that sets Chinn apart, amongst other things, small school, not enough experience…
Wilborn sticks for development, and they draft another…
Fixing the years long elephant in the room, RUN STOP, was not going to happen overnight. The Packers appear to be changing out personnel on a grand scale, and I don’t expect that will be stopped by a pick Gutekunst made before Joe Barry walked through the door.
Fixing run stop involved upgrading ILB, DL (NT, 3T, 5T), OLB and S. It’s looking very encouraging.
In doing so, I think Barry also wanted to address TEs crashing through our middle D for big receptions.
Doesn’t this make sense? Having the depth at every optimal position prototype to make everything Barry wants to do actually go? Actually work?
They want 3-down players, groupings they can leave on the field without constantly running sub packages out. Same looks, same personnel, playing same positions presnap, then switching responsibilities post snap.
You’re saying it yourself, they want 4 man fronts!!! Yes. Exactly! They appear to want other changes too.
Totally agree w you on the Florida DBs too.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2022 at 11:51 am
If I ever see a two man, Pettine-front or a soft, prevent D on third and long, I will switch to soccer as a 3 hour pastime. Constant Pressure and leave Amos in the hook zones. Jaire will have to go 1:1 with Jefferson, Williams, and whoever the Bears stash in the slot. They still need a Dime CB.
Oppy
May 09, 2022 at 05:47 am
Nick Barnett was also a safety in college. He played MLB pretty much exclusively in the NFL.
Of course, this is a different DC and these are different players.. but just sayin'.
greengold
May 09, 2022 at 08:39 am
Hey Oppy,
I’ll never forget listening to draft driving in Phoenix near South Mountain when Mike Sherman took him R1. I just about wiped out into a palm tree…
“WHOOOOOOOOO???!!!
Best LB he took was Hunter Hillenmeier in R3, and that freaking moron cut him at roster cuts to 53… Cut the damn LB with MOST TACKLES IN ALL OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL THAT YEAR. I detested Mike Sherman and thought Barnett was a stupid pick there. He passed on Osi Umenyiora and Anquan Boldin. Jason Witten too. Eh. I thought Nick Barnett left much to be desired. Often struggled from lack of instincts for the position.
Sorry for my digress. The Super Bowls left on the table by that ass clown… Sugar Bear… 100% Peter Principle.
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For the Safety spot, I really, really like Innis Gaines. He’s a little more compact, but hits a ton, tackles well, and has versatility, coverage and speed to play CB.
—
This kid seems a good UDFA signing:
UDFA S Tre Sterling - Oklahoma St.
5-11 205 4.71
Compact, strong, tough tackler w good coverage. Very well coached and assignment sure. Great technique/awareness. Pretty much good at everything.
Scrappy. Physical all over field. Bulk for run stop.
Good speed, chase, burst. + instincts
161 TCKLS 21.5 TFL 3 SACKS 3 INT 12 PD 2 FR 1 TD
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2022 at 11:59 am
I will agree on the sherman effect as a Complete Fail. How this clown was propped up in the top jobs by Wolf is perplexing as well as vexing. He ended up being fired from his High School coaching gig, but still floating on Millions in the Bank. The world is not a just place.
jannesbjornson
May 09, 2022 at 11:55 am
Barnett may have been a rover as a freshman, but started three years at OLB, All-PAC 12. He immediately Improved the Packer D. He would fit perfectly with Barry's scheme.
Oppy
May 09, 2022 at 06:01 pm
I though Barnett was a good MLB.
Just pointing out that where you start doesn't necessarily equate to where you end up making your living in the NFL.
LLCHESTY
May 08, 2022 at 06:44 pm
Oh man, I hope Lowry isn't there for the passing downs. When they go sub package I'm hoping it's a rotation of Clark, Wyatt and Reed. Lowry is the best 5T they have, that should be where he gets the bulk of his snaps. I'm really not sure what Gutey's aversion is to drafting 5Ts but he hasn't since he got there. I realize they only play about 35% of the snaps but most can also take some snaps at NT. I wish he'd throw a day 3 pick at the position once in awhile. Maybe next year if Lowry leaves.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 06:58 pm
Barry should show 4-2 looks with Gary and Lowry hand-to-the-turf as DEs, 5-2 power fronts and 3-4 conventional Edge. Lowry did a better job on the passing downs producing 5 sacks last season. On power downs, playing the run, he is on skids going the wrong direction. It will be a Contract year for him to prove it to the money people. 4M is a fair deal for him. Lancaster, Keke and showing a two-man front were their weaknesses. Barry expunged Pettine's convoluted version of a laissez-faire defense.
LLCHESTY
May 08, 2022 at 07:12 pm
Weren't you the one pounding the long arms table for weeks before the draft? I doubt Pututau has the length for 5T. He seems more like a tweener that could eat some early down snaps at NT and 3T. But at 26 I think he would have to surprise and make the squad, can't see them keeping a rookie that old on the PS.
Oppy
May 09, 2022 at 05:48 am
Lowry doesn't have the length to play 5 tech either, yet the packers have plugged him in as a 3-4 DE for years now.. so who knows what they'll do.
Since'61
May 10, 2022 at 09:12 am
gg, I'm seeing Ford as a drop the anchor and hold the point of attack kind of DL. Similar to Gilbert Brown back in the Holmgren days. We've needed that type of player in short yardage and goal line for a long time. Maybe Ford won't be that guy but we could someone in that role.
Maybe one of the 2 guys you mention in your post could fill the role. Someone who holds the point while Clark and Wyatt penetrate to make the stop. Time will tell. Thanks, Since '61
PatrickGB
May 08, 2022 at 03:50 pm
Lowry might have been pushed back some on occasion. Yet he has the nickname “rhino” for his bull rush. Clark has remarked that Lowry doesn’t know how strong he actually is. Perhaps, it’s his trying to use technique that has slowed his production. To me he looked ok last year. Of course if someone outplays him then I am ok if he gets released.
dobber
May 09, 2022 at 09:24 am
There's some cap room to be made on Lowry, especially if he's released or dealt post Jun. 1.
PackEyedOptimist
May 08, 2022 at 03:34 pm
Funny, I was just doing this in my head as I was driving (4 hours) today.
I came up with mostly the same list, but Gaines at safety, Carpenter at ILB, Benkert stays on the 53 with Ford on the PS, and no Ellis Brooks.
That leaves me one more spot, which I think comes down to the best special-teams player from Patrick Taylor, Samari Toure, and Dominique Dafney.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 04:10 pm
I would dump Dafney and hunt for a real Fullback. Until they figure it out, they will be a Finesse running team.. Have to punch the 3rd and short. Have to score when they're inside the five yard line.
Swisch
May 08, 2022 at 06:12 pm
I think Dafney could be a big surprise for the good as a combo fullback/tight end. I don't know about his blocking, but it seems as though he has great athleticism for his size, with agile feet and good hands.
I suspect the management of the Packers isn't talking much about Dafney to keep him under the radar as a secret weapon for 2022.
Coldworld
May 08, 2022 at 06:37 pm
Daffney is an excellent lead blocker if he stays healthy. He was a fullback in college. Ran the ball as well as lead blocking, but caught an unusual number of passes, which may have been what particularly attracted us once we decided on using h backs. He has had to learn the other aspects of that role.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 06:44 pm
He whiffed three or more times in protection and blocked punts were the result. The 49rs have Juszczyk for a reason. Ham is a great lead dog for the Viking's run game. They need a punisher who can also work the wheel routes and flats. Ricard for the Crows. If you want to dominate on 3rd and short, you have to bring the Rhinos.
Kuhn...Henderson...they let Vonta Leach go....
dobber
May 09, 2022 at 09:25 am
I think Paul Ott Carruth is still available...
Guam
May 08, 2022 at 04:17 pm
O-line: Walker is a boom or bust pick and his very average senior season has me worried a bit. I think Van Lanen makes the 53 and Walker is on the PS for a development year.
D-line: The Packers liked Heflin a lot last year and with a year on the PS, he might be a more likely candidate than Ford for the 53. I think the Packers keep Lowery one more year (last year of his contract if my feeble memory is working??) and then part ways with him.
ILB: There has been much speculation that Carpenter might be more ILB than safety. Wouldn't surprise me if he plays there and Scott and Gaines are the back-up safeties (or Gute brings in a veteran safety).
I would also like them to find a fullback for run blocking. They could go lighter at TE to make room (Dafney?).
stockholder
May 08, 2022 at 04:14 pm
Hill is gone. Goodson Replaces him.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 06:27 pm
Need a guy who knows how to shift, plant and cut in one motion. Keep him and Taylor.
stockholder
May 08, 2022 at 06:54 pm
past injury. They'll move on and put a wr on KO. Goodson is faster.
LLCHESTY
May 09, 2022 at 02:24 am
He's also almost 20 lb lighter. Google speed score. The idea that 40 time is the most important thing for RBs is silly, to put it lightly. You probably didn't like Barry Sanders much hunh?
stockholder
May 08, 2022 at 04:22 pm
I wouldn't be shocked if we see 7 Wrs and 3 TEs. Why? Special Teams.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 06:45 pm
SPEED
Leatherhead
May 08, 2022 at 04:38 pm
I was under the impression that Carpenter was going to work with the linebackers. In that event, I think it's likely that our 4th safety isn't on the roster yet.
The Long Snapper is instrumental in every field goal, every extra point, and every punt. He can cost you a game, he can cost you a season. So "anybody who happens to be laying around who might be better" isn't really an option. These guys are important.
Thinking that releasing our second best DL (Lowry) somehow makes the team stronger is a mystery to me. I don't get it. He shows up, he's always available or practice and games. He's Northwestern smart. He's renegotiated his contract a couple of times to help the team. Yes, we could save $4 million but I don't know who we'd get for that who would make the team stronger. His departure would certainly make the defensive line weaker, and I think the general plan seems to be "let's put a really strong defense on the field".
HarryHodag
May 08, 2022 at 05:26 pm
Regarding the long snapper, I've never figured out why they don't have the back up center/guard do the snapping. The long snapper has no other job and takes a roster spot that could go elsewhere. If the back up center gets called to regular action THEN you sign someone off the street. With the abundance of o-linemen with center experience saving one roster spot could be a big deal after injuries hurt depth in key positions.
Leatherhead
May 08, 2022 at 05:57 pm
The Long Snapper is not a backup center. He's a long snapper. We carry three special teams players.....Kicker, Punter, Long Snapper. They practice as a unit on placement kicks, so we don't have to take real football players away from practice.
The punter has no other job. The kicker has no other job. But both of them rely on the long snapper to do the one job they have.
jannesbjornson
May 08, 2022 at 07:13 pm
So, Wirtel is your guy? Was it him or the surrounding cast? 6'-4 @ 230 is a bit lighter than most of these guy s at 245-250lbs. Bring in some Camp Competition.
Slim11
May 08, 2022 at 09:00 pm
Here are two tryout players for LS. However, they don’t appear to offer more than Wirtel. What Green Bay needs from a LS is not only consistency but something else to contribute as a ST player. Former Packer LS Rob Davis did that. He perfected his skill as a LS and played on other ST units. I don’t know if Wirtel plays on other ST units. If the tryout players can contribute elsewhere within STs, that might make them more useful and valuable.
Leatherhead
May 08, 2022 at 09:25 pm
The rules prohibit lining up over the snapper and smashing into him, so a lot of beef isn’t necessary. But they can go downfield before the ball is kicked , making them a third gunner. I have no particular feelings about Wirtel one way or another, but I object to the notion that these snappers aren’t real important and can be easily replaced. I don’t think that’s true.
Coldworld
May 09, 2022 at 07:35 am
Some beef is essential based on what we saw in the playoffs. We can’t have a LS whom others know they can just blow through and, at his weight, I’d fancy my chances without lining up on him directly. That aside, Wirtel wasn’t good enough with his snap consistency. Maybe Wirtel can bulk up and improve his consistency. I have a hard job believing RB won’t be ensuring Gute picks up another if he has doubts.
LLCHESTY
May 08, 2022 at 06:51 pm
The CB group could use a vet addition as long as his name isn't Kevin King. The safety spot is yikes if Amos or Savage had to miss any extended time. I'd like to see them add a guy like Jaquiski Tartt. He has SS size but has played a lot of FS too. The 49ers only paid him $1.2 million last year so he should be cheap. Or Tre Boston if he's healthy and in shape.
Coldworld
May 09, 2022 at 07:39 am
King was actually decent last year. That said, depth CBs can be picked up later, even at cut downs, and assimilate fairly quickly The more urgent need is at S, unless Gute sees something I don’t. Those guys take longer to bed in.
BradHTX
May 08, 2022 at 11:00 pm
Since the Pack drafted Kingsley Enagbare to replenish the Kingsley position, I wonder what the chances are that from the rookie tryouts, Missouri WR Keke Chism also makes the team? There would be a weird symmetry to that.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 09, 2022 at 02:40 am
That's a lot of deadwood on the defense. There is a lot of projecting and optimism going on.
They will have to show more:
McDuffie, Bliss and Barnes.
Ento, Jean-Charles, Nixon. Ditto.
Carpenter, Scott. Gaines has as good a chance.
Ford.
Coldworld
May 09, 2022 at 07:45 am
I am hoping that instead of just hanging on to players at the back, we get to see them really challenged to excel on STs or show they fit in to other phases on merit. It’s up to every one of those and others like Shawn Davis even Daffney or Alize Mack to grab a role and show they make our STs better and or are lynchpin members of STs. So far players like Gaines and Scott have yet to show either. Now is the time.
greengold
May 09, 2022 at 05:12 am
Mark Oldacres, I’m taking your word for it that Steven Wirtel is in fact a real person, and a Long Snapper… (I’m like,”How do you spell that again? W-I-r-t-e-l...”
I wasn’t ready for this, but after ripping through this realized I kinda was, and here goes on the WAY TOO EARLY version for me:
Packers 2022 53 Man Roster
__________
OFFENSE (25)
QB (2)
Aaron Rodgers
Jordan Love
RB (3)
Aaron Jones
AJ Dillon
Kylin Hill
WR (7)
Allen Lazard
Randall Cobb
Sammy Watkins
Christian Watson
Romeo Doubs
Samori Toure
Amari Rodgers
TE (4)
Mercedes Lewis
Robert Tonyan
Josiah Deguara
Tyler Davis
OL (9)
David Bakhtiari
Elgton Jenkins
Josh Myers
Jon Runyan
Yosh Nijman
Sean Rhyan
Royce Newman
Zach Tom
Rasheed Walker
DEFENSE (25)
DL (6)
Kenny Clark
TJ Slaton
Devonte Wyatt
Jarran Reed
Jonathan Ford
Hauati Pututau
OLB (6)
Rashan Gary
Preston Smith
Kingsley Enagbare
Jonathan Garvin
Randy Ramsey
Tipa Galeai
ILB (4)
De’Vondre Campbell
Quay Walker
Ray Wilborn
Tariq Carpenter
CB (5)
Jaire Alexander
Eric Stokes
Rasul Douglass
Shemar Jean-Charles
Keisean Nixon
S (4)
Adrian Amos
Darnell Savage
Innis Gaines
Tre Sterling
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
P Pat O’Donnell
K Mason Crosby
LS Steven Wirtel
__________
As a true WAY TOO EARLY look, this has a pretty good feel to me.
On DEFENSE, I think the message has been sent for DL and EDGE - the trench players - that Barry intends to use rotation groups or pairings to keep them fresh, and lighten the overall snap load throughout the course of the season. This makes a lot of sense to me, where your star players aren’t gassed going into the playoffs.
Really cuts to the chase, removing those who just didn’t fit, were marginal, overtly one dimensional (STs ONLY) or just didn’t produce more than what could arguably be found on the street. Some couldn’t get out of the hot tub, and were never available.
Barnes, Summers, McDuffie, Ento, Scott & Lowry, thank you for your contributions over the years.
There always are the PUP/IR moves made to stash players or allow for recovery time.
WR seems heavy to me, but Cobb is along for this ride, and there’s no other way to account for that but by keeping 7. We’ve kept 7 WRs before with one helluva lot less talent.
ILBs Wilborn & Carpenter seem pretty easy upgrades over Summers & McDuffie. Both more talented hybrids with speed & length as tackling machines.
We’ll see how it all plays out.
Josh
May 09, 2022 at 03:38 pm
watch out for Baylor CB Raleigh Texada - I've been reading about him. 37 starts, 53 games played and a track star - very fast with good size. Can play inside or outside. Ran 4.40 at PRO Day. Has a lot of big game experience in P5 although not NFL exp. Looks like he can push some of our inexp guys on the depth chart. Got to think Pack saw something in him as only signed rookie CB. Lots of info on him with all the time he was at Baylor.
mrtundra
May 10, 2022 at 12:30 pm
I think that if we are looking for a LS, we should consider a guy who can snap the ball to the correct side of the holder. Also, the LS candidate should come out of his stance, after the snap, and block defenders coming through the gaps, instead of staring at the play, after the snap, from between his legs. Yeah, that'd be good!
Tedlyflyfisher
May 20, 2022 at 01:16 pm
Packers have signed Jack Coco, a long-snapper to compete with Wirtel.