The only 100% guaranteed correct Packers roster prediction

If you’re scoring at home, this will be my third roster prediction of 2024.

I try to put one together every year after the NFL Draft, just so we can see how many positions are really up for competition. Then I do one at the start of training camp so we can track how the roster evolves over the course of the “true roster competition season.” And then, once training camp is over, I do one final roster prediction to see how many spots I can actually get right.

This is that prediction, the one that actually counts. Well, it doesn’t count for anything, but this is the one where I try to guess what I think the Packers will actually do.

Before we get to the actual predictions, one rule to keep in mind: the NFL changed its cutdown injured reserve rules for this year. Players no longer have to make it through the roster cutdown process before going to injured reserve. Teams can now designate two players to return from injured reserve prior to final cuts, freeing up additional spots in the short term. I’ve done my best to guess who those guys will be, but it’s just a guess. I have to assume it will factor into the Packers’ plans somehow, though, so we’ll see what that turns out to be.

Also, bear in mind that this is what I think the Packers WILL do, not what I think they SHOULD do. As always, I hope Brian Gutekunst is in agony.

Quarterbacks (2) - Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

Analysis: Love, obviously, gets in, and I assume the Packers go with the incumbent behind him unless someone truly remarkable becomes available — and that feels like a fool’s hope. If teams think there’s a good quarterback to be had, he’ll stay on the roster. The best bet at this point is to probably sign another quarterback to the practice squad, even if they decide to keep Michael Pratt in Green Bay.

Running backs (3) - Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon, Emanuel Wilson (Marshawn Lloyd to IR)

Analysis: No surprises here. Jacobs, Dillon, and Wilson are their best three running backs, and shuffling Marshawn Lloyd off to injured reserve while he continues his injury recovery makes sense as well. They can solve the four running back conundrum later.

Wide receivers (6) - Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Malik Heath

Analysis: When you think about it, even six receivers is a lot, but the Packers have a lot of worthwhile receivers to keep. I don’t have strong feelings about Grant DuBose or Samori Toure, but if I were Toure, I’d probably be looking elsewhere even if the Packers offered me a spot on the practice squad. At a certain point, the team has told you enough times what they think of you, and I think Toure gets that message this summer.

Tight ends (4) - Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Ben Sims, Tyler Davis

Analysis: Again, no surprises here. Musgrave and Kraft were never not going to make it, and Sims and Davis both have the eye of the coaches, for better or for worse. I originally had Davis as one of my predictions for injured reserve, but I think the designations are needed elsewhere, so he makes it.

Offensive line (9) - Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Royce Newman, Jacob Monk, Kadeem Telfort (Andre Dillard to IR)

Analysis: For all the competition in camp, this feels like a pretty unsurprising list. Dillard gets the second IR spot that can return, meaning Kadeem Telfort will be the Packers’ swing tackle in the short term. Royce Newman survives again.

Defensive line (5) - Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden

Analysis: It’s not that this group is perfect, but the Packers never seriously explored any new depth options this year. Slaton’s role in the new scheme remains to be seen, but early returns seem good. Colby Wooden has supposedly gained a bunch of weight, and we’ll see if that ends up being a good idea or not. I’m still skeptical about his long-term future, but the Packers added no real competition, so we get what we get.

Edge rushers (5) - Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, JJ Enagbare, Brenton Cox

Analysis: Aaron Mosby made the splash plays in the final preseason game, providing a media-ready storyline if he makes it, but I think Cox is the better player, and I think the Packers think so, too. Outside of that, this was always going to be the room.

Linebackers (5) - Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Eric Wilson

Analysis: I want there to be a place for Kristian Welch on the roster, but I don’t see it in the short term. With a first, a second, and a third-round draft pick in this room, the pickings were slim already, and the Packers really like Isaiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson. Welch is the odd-man out, but he’ll get a chance on the practice squad and will probably see game action pretty early this year.

Cornerbacks (6) - Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, Kalen King, Carrington Valentine

Analysis: I think Robert Rochell could have been the sixth guy in this group, but I don’t know who you cut in favor of keeping him. Ballentine and Valentine both give you more on defense, and I don’t think Rochell’s special teams contributions are such that they can’t be replaced. 

Safeties (5) - Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, Anthony Johnson Jr.

Analysis: The Packers sure gave Zayne Anderson a chance to prove himself on Saturday, but I don’t think it was enough to unseat Anthony Johnson Jr. for the fifth of five safety spots available right now. Just as Kiristian Welch faces tough draft pick-related realities when it comes to his roster quest, so does anyone seeking a way into the safety room. Between the three draft picks and Xavier McKinney’s massive contract, there’s not a lot of room to go around. 

Specialists (3) - Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech, Anders Carlson

Analysis: After introducing competition at both kicker and long snapper, we end up right back where we started. I think the Packers will continue to look into options this year, but Carlson is going to be their kicker in Week 1.