Predicting the Packers Roster Before Their First Preseason Game

Sammy Watkins is a roster lock, right? Right?

Making roster predictions before preseason games even start is a fool’s errand, but given that we’ve already got one in the tank, why not fire off another one?

If nothing else, roster predictions are good thought exercises and serve as time capsules of our thinking at a given point in time. A few weeks from now, we’ll probably look back on a lot of the assumptions below and laugh. But so what? These things are fun, and fun is good.

Quarterbacks (2) - Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love

This is the easiest position group on the team. There’s no reason to take up a roster spot with a third quarterback, and Jordan Love has the backup spot locked down.

Running Backs (3) - Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor

I thought Tyler Goodson would put up a bit more of a fight for the third roster spot here, but so far it hasn’t worked out that way. Until Kylin Hill comes back from the Physically Unable to Perform list, this is probably where the running backs will end up.

Wide receivers (7) - Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins, Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree, Christian Watson

The wide receiver room is muddled by the fact that there are a lot of similarly talented players. What’s the real difference between the second or third guy on the depth chart here and the very bottom? It’s not just tons right now.

On top of that, Christian Watson hasn’t practiced yet, and at this point it might be best if he starts the season on the PUP list to give him some more ramp up time.

Tight Ends (4) - Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis, Dominique Dafney

This group is mostly settled, not terribly interesting, and could see some small churn. For now, I’d guess Dominique Dafney holds off Sal Cannella for the last tight end job, but I’m sure the Packers are monitoring that competition very closely. 

Offensive Line (9) - Yosh Nijman, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Caleb Jones, Cole Van Lanen

There’s talent on the line, but prediction-wise, this group is a mess. Will David Bakhtiari be ready for Week 1? When will Elgton Jenkins come back? Who’s going to play on the right side of the line? All of these questions need answering, but it feels like we’re no closer to finding out what will happen than we were at the start of camp.

Defensive Line (5) Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt

A pretty stacked position with very little movement. Jarran Reed has lived up to the billing so far, and TJ Slaton gives the Packers options at nose tackle.

Edge rushers (5) - Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, La’Darius Hamilton, Tipa Galeai, Jonathan Garvin

Hamilton and Galeai look like the third and fourth edge rushers right now, while Garvin noses past 2022 draft pick Kingsley Enagbare for the fifth job. 

Inside linebackers (4) - De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Isaiah McDuffie

Quay Walker all but settled this group back in April. Barnes gives the Packers depth, McDuffie offers special teams acumen, and Ty Summers rides off into the sunset.

Cornerbacks (6) - Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas, Shemar Jean-Charles, Keisean Nixon, Rico Gafford

The Packers’ top three corners are obvious, but things get wild beyond that. Jean-Charles is nominally their backup slot right now, but Keisean Nixon is back from injury and brings familiarity with Rich Bisaccia on special teams, as does ultra-speedster Rico Gafford.

Safeties (5) - Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Dallin Leavitt, Vernon Scott, Innis Gaines

Five safeties seems like a lot, but this group makes sense. Leavitt will be a core special teamer, Scott is the third safety, and Gaines gets another year to develop.

Specialists (3) - Mason Crosby, Pat O’Donnell, Long Snapper to be Named Later

Gabe Brkic hasn’t done anything to push Mason Crosby, so he’s back whenever he figures out his knee stuff. O’Donnell isn’t going anywhere. The Packers will sign a long snapper from elsewhere, thought he move to get rid of Steven Wirtel was a step in the right direction.