My Stab at the Packers 53 Man Roster

If you’ve counted yourself as part of the workforce in the last 15 years, you’re likely very familiar with terms like “lay-offs” or “down-sizing.” You’ve maybe been one of those that lost their job due to it. Let’s be honest, they’re all sugar-coated words for “you don’t work here anymore.” It sucks, it’s a terrible feeling. Many players you watched this Preseason on your Green Bay Packers are about to, in a way, experience that same moment. This is my stab at the Packers 53 man roster.

Tomorrow the Grim Reaper visits the facilities of all 32 NFL teams. The scythe may come down on the football careers of many. For some, it might just delay their dreams a little longer before they catch on to a Practice Squad, or maybe even another team’s roster. But for others, dreams will finally come true, or for veterans, they’ll be granted the privilege to continue to live out those dreams another year. Who will we see run out that tunnel to face off against Minnesota in week 1?

Offense:

QB (2): Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love

In a shocking plot-twist of events, Aaron Rodgers will indeed survive final cuts and play QB for the Packers. All joking aside, this one was easy, Rodgers and Love are the only two that make it. Danny Etling absolutely was fun to watch, but he’s just not that spectacular to protect. I hope he makes it to the Practice Squad, and he likely will.

RB (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Tyler Goodson

Now there, is my plot-twist. I’ve been a fan of Tyler Goodson all camp long, and he didn’t let me down. With Kylin Hill starting the season on the PUP, there’s an opportunity. Patrick Taylor is a maybe here, but I just think it’s Goodson all the way. Some have said his pass protection and blitz pick-up is lacking, but you can teach that. I remember when Aaron Jones was a rookie and everyone said “Yeah Jones is good, but Jamaal Williams is better in pass-pro” well umm, Jones learned, and I think you all prefer him now. Goodson is just that much more talented than Patrick Taylor in my eyes. Yes, I know, some say Amari Rodgers could be a RB, but I think when it comes down to it, you need a real RB, and Goodson is your guy.

WR (7): Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Amari Rodgers, Romeo Doubs, Juwann Winfree

This was surprisingly easier than I thought it would be. The veterans stick, the 2nd rounder obviously sticks, the camp darling sticks, there was only one question. Juwann Winfree or Samori Toure. My gut was telling me Toure, he stood out in that final Preseason game and had some good moments elsewhere as well. But Winfree has just been kind of a favored WR with QB1 and with Coach LaFleur. I then realized that many teams have their own Toure. So, he will likely find a way onto the Packers Practice Squad and his day on the 53 will come later.

TE (4): Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis

This one was almost easier than QB. The first three I think were givens. I know we haven’t seen a lot from Tyler Davis, but the coaching staff seems to really like him, so he stays. No one else really caught my eye, at all, at TE.

OL (9): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Jake Hanson

The All-pro, and the staples of last year’s line obviously make it. Newcomers Zach Tom and Sean Rhyan have shown enough to warrant a spot, especially Tom. Jake Hanson has been a pleasant surprise actually showing that he could be a good fill-in and not just a Practice Squad call-up. It was very hard though to rule out Rasheed Walker and Caleb Jones. They seemed to do very well in camp but compared to their competition, they might not be as ready. Hopefully we’ll see both on the Practice Squad.

Defense:

DL (5): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt

Believe me when I tell you that it hurt to leave Jack Heflin off this list. But this defensive line I think is just too deep for him to crack this year. Hopefully he is back on the Practice Squad. Chris Slayton as well gets an honorable mention and if it were maybe last year, I think he would’ve made it.

OLB (5): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Jonathan Garvin, Kobe Jones

This is an interesting one because it feels too much like we have our top guys, and then we have some “maybe” backups. Kobe Jones makes it based on his special teams potential, so there’s his feather in the cap. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Packers shake up this group with an early season signing to create some more depth.

ILB (4): De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Isaiah McDuffie

Did I just easily define our Inside Linebackers? I did, and it feels, amazing! I’ve said before on here that I don’t think we’ve had this solid of an ILB group since Super Bowl XLV with AJ Hawk and Desmond Bishop. I can’t wait to see what this group is capable of.

CB (5): Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Shemar Jean-Charles, Kiondre Thomas

Again, I think this is a pretty solid group. Well, more than solid, the top 3 are outstanding. After that Shemar Jean-Charles has improved enough to be a solid CB4 on the list. CB5 is an interesting one though. Keisean Nixon of course is a Bisaccia-familiar player, but he hasn’t really been on the field a whole lot. Kiondre Thomas however, has logged time on defense and special teams and has looked like a potential surprise to crack the roster. Either could be a toss-up, but I’m going with Thomas as the young blood based also on CB depth potential.

S (6): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Shawn Davis, Micah Abernathy, Tariq Carpenter, Dallin Leavitt

This was an interesting guess. After the release of Vernon Scott I think that paved the way for the more experienced (in this defense) Shawn Davis to get his call. Tariq Carpenter I think will make it based on his versatility to play S and LB. Dallin Leavitt I think will get the nod if he’s healthy due to his Special Teams experience. Lastly that leaves Micah Abernathy who was a great surprise addition during camp that has shown out, and I believe earned himself a spot on this roster.

Special Teams:

K (1): Mason Crosby

If he’s healthy, it should come as a shock to no one that Crosby makes it.

P (1): Pat O’Donnell

Obviously, the “Stepbrother” of Mason Crosby is making it. He’s faced zero camp competition.

LS (1): Jack Coco

So far Jack Coco hasn’t done anything to lose his roster spot as the long snapper. So, I think he makes it. I also hope that at long last, maybe our long snapper woes could be over. However, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him lose his spot if he becomes shaky, and a more experienced long snapper becomes available.

I’m not going to get in to Practice Squad predictions since it all depends on waivers and whether the players are even interested. However, I will declare some hope in that Danny Etling, Patrick Taylor, Samori Toure, Tipa Galeai, Chris Slayton, Jack Heflin, Caleb Jones, Rasheed Walker, Innis Gaines, and Travis Fulgham end up on our Practice Squad. Take that as prediction or hope, whatever you want.

Greg Meinholz is a lifelong devoted Packer fan. A contributor to PackersTalk as well as CheeseheadTV. Follow him on Twitter at @gmeinholz. for Packers commentary, random humor, beer endorsements, and occasional Star Wars and Marvel ramblings.

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