There are still four months until the Green Bay Packers have to make final cuts, but they recently added over 20 new players to reach their 90-man roster. Right now, excitement is in the air over all these new prospects and their potential, but not so long from now, the Packers will have to winnow that number down to 53.
The Packers added eight selections and some intriguing undrafted free agents to their already-talented roster. With an emphasis on offense and premium picks, Green Bay’s roster will reflect that talent and investment. Here’s how the team could shape up come fall.
Quarterback (2):
The Packers have a clear-cut starter and backup with Love and Willis. Sean Clifford doesn’t possess enough upside or value to rationalize keeping him as the third quarterback because Green Bay has more important needs elsewhere on the roster.
Running Back (3):
Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks/Emanuel Wilson
Jacobs was one of the best backs in the NFL last season, and Lloyd was on track to be an instant-impact rookie after hearing his name called in the third round last season. However, injuries stunted his opportunities.
Wilson and Brooks played well, but Green Bay found them off the street. Depending on what the Packers want to invest in, whether it’s size or speed, could drive their decision on Brooks and Wilson. It would be foolish to keep both. Amar Johnson is an undrafted free agent from South Dakota State who is an intriguing option if the Packers want to go younger and cheaper for their third back.
Wide Receiver (6):
Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams, Malik Heath, (Christian Watson, PUP)
Watson will start the year on the PUP list. Golden and Williams are fun new weapons to the offense, making Bo Melton expendable. Heath stays because of his tenacity in the running game and special teams ability. Maybe the Packers keep Mecole Hardman for his expertise as a return man. Heath would be the first cut when Watson returns.
Tight Ends (3):
Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims
This is a solid group. Any of these players can do anything the Packers ask them to. Kraft saw a breakout season this past year, and he’ll look to build upon that with a healthy Musgrave stretching the field in Year 3. Sims is a blocker who has some ability to catch passes and is a solid depth piece.
Offensive line (10):
Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Anthony Belton, Travis Glover, Jacob Monk, Sean Rhyan, John Williams
The Banks addition to the starting lineup lets the Packers have flexibility with Morgan at tackle or guard. The two rookies will make the team, and the two holdovers from last season, Monk and Glover, could be solid backups. Rhyan is the swing guard, and Belton is the swing tackle. This is a solid group with lots of depth and versatility.
Offense total: 23
Defensive Interior (6):
Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse
Here is the annual Packers undrafted free agent who makes the roster: Stackhouse from Georgia. His Georgia teammate and draft pick, Brinson, will also make the team. The top three, Clark, Wyatt, and Brooks, are locks. Wooden has been a disappointment, but I don’t think the Packers are ready to give up on the 2023 fourth-round pick so soon.
Edge (5):
Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell
The success of this group largely hinges on Van Ness and new defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington. Cox and Enagbare provide some juice off the edge, and Sorrell is looking to make an impact as a rookie.
Linebackers (6):
Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons, Collin Oliver
I put Oliver here because he’s more suited to be an off-ball linebacker in the NFL than an edge rusher, although the Packers will use him as a pass-rush specialist. This room is explosive and fast, and it can help in coverage and on special teams. The Packers should be pleased with this group in Year 2 of Jeff Hafley’s defense.
Cornerback (5):
Jaire Alexander, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Nate Hobbs, Micah Robinson
Alexander will probably be back after all, and the addition of Hobbs makes this cornerback room really solid all around. Nixon is a decent cover corner, and Valentine is good as long as he doesn’t make tackles. Robinson is more like a practice-squad player, but the Packers drafted him for a reason.
Safety (4):
Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo
Zayne Anderson is fun, but depth elsewhere is more important, and the Packers use Bullard in a cornerback role a lot of the time anyway. McKinney holds it down on the back end for Green Bay. This group will be fine if McKinney is on the field.
Defense total: 26
Specialist (3):
Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech
This same group did an admirable job last season. No reason to change it up now.
The Packers will be banking on the upside of their system on defense and the young draft picks on offense to make significant impacts immediately. A little thin at the established positions of quarterback, running back, and tight end allows for more depth in the front seven of the defense.
