Let’s have an overreaction to the final preseason game of the 2024 season! Ya know what, let’s take it even further and overreact so much so that we predict the initial 53-man roster. Warning: this prediction was done soon after the Green Bay Packers beat the Ravens 30-7 on Saturday. I still stand by it.
I did a three-part training camp primer (offense, defense, special teams) that analyzed how the Packers have historically gone about deciding their initial 53-man roster prior to training camp. This took time and effort in meticulously picking who I believe would make this Green Bay team.
That isn’t this article. This one is going to be a gut reaction to the preseason games, in particular this last one against the Ravens. No preparation or anything. Just reacting in the moment. Let’s begin!
Packers Offense
Packers QB Battle
The Packers starting quarterback is of no question of course. It’s the battle for the backup quarterback job that I’m talking about. I know Michael Pratt threw the interception but he looked better than Sean Clifford yesterday. The Packers will release Sean Clifford and keep Michael Pratt. However, if Clifford clears waivers, he will likely end up on the practice squad. I can also see the Packers keeping Pratt and getting a veteran quarterback to be the backup quarterback like a Bailey Zappe.
QBs: Jordan Love, Michael Pratt
Running Backs
Of course Josh Jacobs will make it as well as rookie MarShawn Lloyd. However, Lloyd (hamstring) and A.J. Dillon (stinger) are injured so this can be muddied up a bit. I believe that A.J. Dillon could be put on one of the two IR spots. This leaves a spot for Emmanuel Wilson to be put on the initial roster and honestly could see some playing time in Brazil. Ellis Merriweather and Nate McCrary both have looked great too and could make the practice squad. This will allow either one of those guys to be made active on game day if MarShawn Lloyd is not ready to go.
RBs: Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, and Emmanuel Wilson
Packers Tight Ends
Okay, let’s get the easy ones out of the way: Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave. Now for the semi-easy one: Ben Sims. Honestly, that could be it though Coach Matt LaFleur loves the tight end position. I think Green Bay just goes with three tight ends considering the recent play and injury of Tyler Davis. This could be done considering the size and blocking ability of some of the wide receivers on the roster.
TE: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, and Ben Sims
Wide Receivers
Well, this position group also has some easy one! Let’s just name them off real quick here in no particular order: Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. Those four right there are a shoe-in to make the roster, however, there is some great depth behind them too. With us only going with three tight ends, I’m going to predict something crazy: the Packers go with not six wide receivers, but seven!
WR: Romeo Doubs, Jaydeen Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Malik Heath, and Grant DuBose.
Offensive Line
This is where it can get kinda hard. Rasheed Walker, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Jacob Monk, and Elgton Jenkins are the locks. That is seven already! So, the Packers will need a swing-tackle and I don’t know if that player is currently on the roster. If I were to hazard a guess right now, it would have to be Luke Tenuta considering Andre Dillard is currently injured. Here’s my guess:
OL: Elgton Jenkins, Jacob Monk, Jordan Morgan, Josh Myers, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Luke Tenuta, Travis Glover, and Caleb Jones
Packers Defense
Defensive Line
I believe a player from this last preseason game has made it extremely difficult for the Packers on who they decide to go with on the defensive line. For the edge guys that are locks, Green Bay has Lukas Van Ness, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, and Kingsley Enagbare. I think originally the Packers may have just gone with those four, but because of the play of Arron Mosby during training camp and in the preseason game, I can see him making the roster.
On the interior defensive line, the Packers go-to guys will be Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, and TJ Slaton. Additionally, the Packers will add two other guys who seemingly can play edge and interior in Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden.
DL: Lukas Van Ness, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, Arron Mosby, Devonte Wyatt, Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Karl Brooks, and Colby Wooden.
Packers Linebackers
The Packers will keep six linebackers. I feel like there isn’t a lot to say on this one other than the fact that I might riot if Kristian Welch doesn’t make this roster. He has played great on special teams and has been a play maker throughout the three preseason games. Ty’Ron Hopper has also looked great!
LB: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, and Kristian Welch
Defensive Backs
Let’s look at the cornerback position first: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and Kalen King.
And finally safety: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, Javon Bullard, and Anthony Johnson Jr. Finally, the Packers defensive backs group looks like a strength for this team. It was difficult for me to about this group. I don’t think they will go over ten players for the entire group which is why I left out Corey Ballentine. The Packers could go with the upside of Kalen King and the expectation that he would get picked up on waivers if King were let go. I couldn’t say the same for Ballentine.
DBs: Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Kalen King, Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, Javon Bullard, and Anthony Johnson Jr.
Packers Special Teams
I don’t think the kicker is on this roster. I could be wrong but I could see the Packers trying something different. That’s why I am saying that the initial roster for Green Bay will only have two special teams players on it:
Special Teams: Matthew Orzech (LS) and Daniel Whelan (P)
I believe that the Packers will cut both Greg Joseph and Anders Carlson. I don’t think either kicker makes the initial roster and I don’t think either one gets picked up in waivers. That’s when the Packers will add whoever they prefer the most (probably Carlson) to the practice squad. The Packers can them give themselves some additional time in deciding who their kicker should be. Additionally, Carlson should be eligible for the practice squad since he didn’t accrue more than two seasons of experience.
And that gives you 53 on the initial roster! Which will definitely change again prior to the end of the week. So….
It wasn’t a waste of time, okay! It was fun!
And either way,
Go Pack Go!
——————
Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
——————
