While changes will likely be made before the team faces the Chicago Bears on September 10, the Green Bay Packers have their initial 53-man roster.
As always, there were a few surprises. The Packers didn’t keep all of their draft picks. Three UDFAs made the roster, a whopping 11 offensive linemen made the cut, and RB3 went to the best runner rather than a special teamer.
One particularly interesting note is the Packers kept just four cornerbacks on the initial roster, the fewest since they hired Matt LaFleur as head coach. For such an important position, this leaves little depth in case of injury, but Eric Stokes can come off of the PUP list after four games. Is there enough depth at cornerback for Green Bay to last until the 2021 first-rounder returns?
Green Bay’s top three corners were never up for debate. There was zero reason not to expect Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, and Keisean Nixon atop the depth chart. Alexander is one of the league’s best shutdown corners. Douglas has taken a big leap since they signed him from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, and he’s a reliable CB2 with a history of clutch plays. Nixon is expected to play a big role on defense as a slot corner in addition to his dynamic return ability.
Stokes will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He’s out for a minimum of four games as he works his way back from the foot and knee injuries he sustained last season. Stokes had a rougher sophomore season after impressing as a rookie. However, his speed and talent are sharp, and he’s a recent first-round pick. Had Stokes been healthy, the Packers certainly would have kept five CBs on Tuesday.
Green Bay had a lot of intriguing depth options after their top three. Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, Kiondre Thomas, and Shemar Jean-Charles all showed flashes of talent on defense, but they also played significant special teams snaps. And as we know, a role on special teams is the best way for a fringe player to make the roster. While technically a safety, Innis Gaines was also an option, thanks to being one of the team’s few slot corner options.
Ultimately, only Valentine, one of the darlings of training camp and preseason, did enough to separate himself from the pack and make the 53-man roster. There wasn’t a day that went by without buzz surrounding Valentine, and Matt LaFleur clearly wants to find a way to work the seventh-rounder into the lineup.
It might be because of the No. 37, but Valentine’s aggressive playmaking ability and underdog status are reminding many of us of former Packers CB Sam Shields — not a bad spot to be in for the talented rookie. He’ll take his lumps as he adjusts to the pros, but Green Bay has found something really nice in Valentine.
That gives the Packers a nice group of proven starters and a promising developmental piece, but is it enough to weather the storm until Stokes can return? If someone gets injured, suddenly the Green Bay is very thin at the position.
As of this writing, we aren’t sure who will make Green Bay’s initial practice squad, but Ballentine and Thomas seem like good bets. Ballentine played a strong role on special teams in the back half of the 2022 season and spent time as a boundary corner on the second-team defense. Meanwhile, Thomas had a nice preseason as a cover corner and special teams contributor. Both could be called up as needed while the team patiently waits for Stokes’ return.
There’s a chance the Packers could make a waiver claim or try out a player cut from another team. There is a lot of shuffling between the initial 53-man roster and the Week 1 roster thanks to the influx of available options. On the other hand, Green Bay isn’t facing any truly frightening passing offenses in the first month of the season.
While the Bears acquired D.J. Moore this offseason, we don’t have any reason to fear Chicago’s passing attack until proven otherwise. The Atlanta Falcons may have Kyle Pitts and Drake London, but they are primarily a rushing team, and quarterback Desmond Ridder is unproven. The New Orleans Saints likely won’t have Michael Thomas. And while the Detroit Lions are the most dangerous offense the Packers face in their first four games, they’ll be without Jameson Williams. Barring injuries, the Packers can probably live with just four cornerbacks.
Should Stokes’ injury linger, adding a corner might become a priority. But with the talent they have now and the practice squad elevation rules, the Packers are probably comfortable for the moment. Four CBs may seem low, but the ones they have comprise one of the league’s better starting groups. They should be just fine until Stokes can return — unless Barry plays them 40 yards off the line of scrimmage, of course.
