With rookie minicamp behind us and OTAs only a few weeks away, this feels like a good time to make an early 53-man roster prediction for the Green Bay Packers. A lot can still change between now and the preseason. Still, based on the current roster and how they’ve built the team today, there is enough information to start projecting where things could be headed.
Without further delay, let’s get into the projection.
QB (2): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor
The Packers signed Tyrod Taylor this offseason, and he will likely enter the year as QB2 behind Jordan Love. Kyron Drones has some intriguing physical tools that could make the backup competition interesting during camp. Still, he’s probably better suited as a developmental option on the practice squad right now.
HB (3): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks
MarShawn Lloyd needs to stay healthy. That is the biggest thing holding him back right now. Meanwhile, Chris Brooks already proved valuable as both a runner and, especially, a pass protector. I like Damien Martinez, but at this point, it is hard not to see Lloyd and Brooks as the top backups behind Josh Jacobs entering the season.
WR (6): Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Skyy Moore, Bo Melton
Watson, Reed, Golden, and Williams will make the roster. I also find it hard to believe that Skyy Moore will not make the team, given that the Packers brought him in to handle kick-return duties. Maybe Green Bay ends up keeping six wide receivers, but for now, I will keep the number at six. One player worth monitoring during camp is undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant.
TE (4): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, RJ Maryland
I believe Tucker Kraft will be ready for Week 1. He has been progressing quickly through rehab. If he’s medically cleared, I expect the Packers to have him on the field early in the season.
Additionally, we saw during the draft how highly the league valued tight ends, and I suspect a big reason for that is the importance of blocking tight ends on special teams units. With that in mind, I have Green Bay following that trend and keeping four tight ends on the initial roster.
Offensive Line (10): Aaron Banks, Anthony Belton, Jager Burton, Darian Kinnard, Jordan Morgan, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, John Williams, Jacob Monk, Travis Glover
I went back and forth on whether Jacob Monk would make the roster. Almost everything the Packers have done so far suggests they are not fully comfortable with him seeing the field. That said, keeping him as the backup center would give the team some flexibility if injuries start piling up, because it would allow Jager Burton to play guard instead of forcing another shuffle along the offensive line.
Interior Defensive Line (5): Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave, Chris McClellan, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson
I thought about keeping Stackhouse, but his 2025 film was underwhelming both against the run and as a pass rusher. Wyatt, Hargrave, McClellan, and Brooks feel like locks to make the roster. However, beyond those four, the rest of the defensive line room still feels pretty open heading into camp.
Edge Rushers (5): Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Brenton Cox Jr (PUP: Micah Parsons)
I would be surprised if Micah Parsons doesn’t start the year on the PUP list. I just don’t see Green Bay putting him on the field unless he is completely ready to go, which means they will probably be as cautious as possible with his recovery. However, I like the rest of the depth in the room, though, and I think the Packers will eventually keep six edge rushers once their top option returns later in the season.
Linebackers (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Kristian Welch
The linebacker room is probably the one where I could see the least turnover between now and the start of the season for Green Bay. Right now, it feels like a toss-up between Kristian Welch and Nick Niemann for the fifth spot, which would mostly come down to special teams value.
Cornerbacks (6): Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Benjamin St-Juste, Brandon Cisse, Domani Jackson, Kamal Hadden
I thought about keeping only five cornerbacks, but then I remembered how absolutely decimated the Packers were by injuries in the secondary last season. Kamal Hadden already spent time with Green Bay last year and would mostly contribute on special teams. Still, I like the idea of keeping one extra corner for depth.
Safeties (4): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo
Just like the linebacker corps, I don’t see much changing here for Green Bay. Javon Bullard should mostly handle the nickel role, which would allow Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams to take care of the back end of the secondary. Kitan Oladapo is also a solid depth option to keep around.
Specialists (3): Daniel Whelan, Trey Smack, Matt Orzech
Orzech is the only long snapper currently under contract with Green Bay. Daniel Whelan could also already have an All-Pro nod to his name based on his performance so far in his career. Meanwhile, the Packers traded up for Trey Smack, and he should be the team’s kicker in Week 1 unless something unexpected happens during the summer.
