The Green Bay Packers have just over twenty-four hours to finalize their final 53-man roster for the 2025-2026 season, so I’ve put together my final prediction below. You can also check out how is compares to my fellow Packers Talk writer Dan DePottey’s pre-preseason prediction here!

Offense

Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love and Malik Willis

– The Packers haven’t kept three quarterbacks on the roster since 2020, and they have no reason to this year, as Malik Willis has proven himself as a more than capable backup. Undrafted free agent Taylor Elgersma and 2023’s fifth-round pick Sean Clifford have been battling for the QB3 spot on the practice squad, and I think that Elgersma will win that battle.

Running Backs (3): Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks

  • – The front office would’ve likely dealt with a tough cut here if MarShawn Lloyd had stayed healthy, but unfortunately the second-year back is continuing to struggle with injuries. That opens the door for both Emanuel Wilson, who was the primary backup last year, and Chris Brooks, who’s been an efficient rusher and good pass-blocker in limited looks, to make the final 53. Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson will likely be back on the practice squad.

IR Designated to Return: MarShawn Lloyd

Fullback (0):

– The Packers haven’t carried a proper fullback on the roster since Danny Vitale in 2019, and they won’t season year either.

Wide Receivers (6): Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams, and Malik Heath

  • – The first five spots in the wide receiver room were essentially locks heading into camp, with Malik Heath and Mecole Hardman duking it out for the final spot. Heath has made the team each of the past two years, and I expect that trend to continue, as Hardman has struggled as both a skill player and a returner in the preseason. Hardman’s value was projected mostly in the return game, and Heath’s knowledge of the offense, special teams value, and more consistent play will give him the leg up on the final 53. Christian Watson will remain on the PUP as he continues to recover from the torn ACL he suffered late last year, and I anticipate that we’ll see two to three of either Mecole Hardman, Julian Hicks, Will Sheppard, or Cornelius Johnson on the practice squad.

Physically Unable to Perform: Christian Watson

Tight Ends (3): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, and John FitzPatrick

  • – The Green Bay Packers could try to keep four tights ends, but it seems pretty clear that John Fitzpatrick has won the TE3 job over Ben Sims, and Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are entrenched as solid 1-2 punch. Sims will most likely return on the practice squad.

Offensive Line (9): Zach Tom, Elgton Jenkins, Aaron Banks, Jordan Morgan, Rasheed Walker, Sean Rhyan, Anthony Belton, Darian Kinnard, and Jacob Monk

  • – Outside of the starting five, the Packers offensive line depth has left much to be desired this preseason. Anthony Belton is a lock due to his draft position, and whoever loses the battle at left tackle between Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan will become the first man off the bench, but the addition of Darian Kinnard from the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday seems to indicate that the front office was unimpressed with their in-house options. As a result, I have the Packers carrying only nine lineman, which deviates from the usual of at least ten the past three seasons. I’m giving the final spot to Jacob Monk, as he’s a Gutekunst draft pick, but he could get an IR return designation. Seventh-rounder John Williams will stay on the PUP, as he’s yet to practice this year. We’ll likely see a mix of Lecitus Smith, Donovan Jennings, and Kadeem Telfort on the practice squad.

Physically Unable to Perform: John Williams

Defense

Defensive Ends (5): Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Arron Mosby, and Brenton Cox Jr.

  • – Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Kingsley Enagbare are all shoo-ins, and Brenton Cox Jr. didn’t have to worry too much about his roster spot with Collin Oliver, this year’s fifth-round selection, yet to practice this season. It’s unclear just how much time Texas draftee Barryn Sorrell will miss with his knee injury, and as such, he’s one of a few players who could receive the second IR return designation. I anticipate that the Packers will be careful with him, and as a result, Arron Mosby makes the final 53 for the second year in a row. Deslin Alexandre will likely be back on the practice squad.

IR Designated to Return: Barryn Sorrell

Physically Unable to Perform: Collin Oliver

Defensive Tackles (6): Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, and Nazir Stackhouse

  • – The Green Bay Packers don’t typically go heavy at defensive tackle, but this seems to be the year. Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, and Karl Brooks were all locks, and Colby Wooden has done enough to stay with the team. That leaves the two Georgia products, Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, who could be going for a single spot. I think both make it, and Stackhouse continues the streak of at least one UDFA making the Packers’ final 53 every year since 2005.

Linebackers (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, and Kristian Welch

  • – Ty’Ron Hopper has been one of the Packers’ most improved players this preseason, which leaves what is likely a single roster spot available between Kristian Welch and Isaiah Simmons at linebacker. Welch has been consistent on both defense and special teams and was one of the final cuts last year, so I think this is the year he makes the team. Simmons certainly has value on special teams, and he may have caught Rich Bisaccia’s eye, but he looked lost of defense, and I think that results in the Packers using the spot elsewhere. Simmons could be on the practice squad.

Cornerbacks (6): Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Kalen King, and Corey Ballentine

  • – The Green Bay Packers have been decimated at corner in recent years, and I think that leads to the front office keeping an extra body. Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine are sure-fire, and Bo Melton has looked natural at the position after switching over from wide receiver. Despite that however, I’m not sure how ready the Packers are to make Melton the four. Kalen King has done enough to make the squad, and I anticipate that Corey Ballentine’s experience will give him an advantage over Kamal Hadden, despite the latter’s positive preseason. Hadden and Micah Robinson should be on the practice squad.

Safeties (5): Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Zayne Anderson, and Kitan Oladapo

  • – The safety position is one of the most cut and dry on the Green Bay Packers’ roster. UDFA Omar Brown was pushing for a roster spot prior to his lung injury, and if Zayne Anderson receives an IR designation, he could make the team. Otherwise, he’ll be back on the practice squad.

Special Teams

Specialists (3): Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, and Matt Orzech

  • – For once, there isn’t much to say on special teams for the Green Bay Packers. These positions on the final 53 are set in stone. Kicker Mark McNamee will make the practice squad as the Packers’ International Player Pathway program member.

Practice Squad

Quarterback: Taylor Elgersma

Running Backs: Israel Abanikanda and Amar Johnson

Wide Recievers: Mecole Hardman, Julian Hicks, and Will Sheppard

Tight End: Ben Sims

Offensive Line: Donovan Jennings, Kadeem Telfort, and Lecitus Smith

Defensive End: Deslin Alexandre

Linebacker: Isaiah Simmons

Cornerbacks: Kamal Hadden and Micah Robinson

Safety: Omar Brown

International Player Pathway: Mark McNamee

  • – Hardman and Simmons could find special teams homes on other squads, but assuming they make it, I anticipate that the final practice squad slot will be filled by a player cut from another team.