The 53 man roster predictions continue with the Green Bay Packers.
Offense- 25
QB- 2 Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley
The Packers should only keep two QBs with Rodgers and Hundley. Joe Callahan or Marquise Williams could end up on the practice squad. Hundley’s ankle injury probably won’t throw in a wrench to these plans.
RB- 4 Eddie Lacy, James Starks, John Crockett, Aaron Ripkowski (FB)
The Packers have some questions at the number 3 RB and John Kuhn signed with the Saints to open a roster spot compared to 2015. Brandon Ross and Brandon Burks are rookies that could be practice squad players since the Packers are light with 4 RBs.
WRs-7 Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis
The Packers are light on QBs and RBs but go heavy at WR. The top four of Nelson, Cobb, Adams and Montgomery are locks. Abbrederis is oft-injured but had a good camp so far. Jeff Janis provides a niche deep threat that the Packers clearly could benefit from (see Cardinals game) despite his poor route running. Trevor Davis can be a deep threat as well but develops as a rookie 5th round pick. Geronimo Allison is the odd man despite a good camp out but Allison is clearly practice squad eligible.
Tight End-3 Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo
The Packers should keep the normal tight end amount but are light on blocking tight ends. Cook should be the seam breaker and Rodgers could develop more in year 3. Perillo showed some flashes in 2015 and can be a blocker.
Offensive line- 9 David Bakhtiari, TJ Lang, Corey Linsley, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Spriggs, JC Tretter, Don Barclay and Lane Taylor
The Packers keep only nine offensive linemen because Tretter and Barclay are versatile as backups. Spriggs is the future at left tackle as a 2nd round pick rookie and probably could play guard too. Guard Josh Walker has some upside but is ultimately let instead of Lane Taylor so the Packers can keep 7 WRs. 7th round pick Kyle Murphy should also be on the practice squad after missing the cut as an offensive tackle.
Specialists- 3 Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Rick Lovato or Jesse Schmidt (long snapper)
The Packers kicker and punter are both set. Green Bay has a camp battle at long snapper between Lovata and Schmidt. Either could make the roster.
Defense- 25
Defensive Line- Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Christian Ringo, Mike Pennel (suspended first 4 games and won’t take roster spot until Week 5)
The Packers play a 3-4 defense and many times play only 2 defensive linemen. This will allow them to be lighter on the defensive line and have Datone Jones (LB) who is versatile enough to play both positions if needed.
Green Bay has some young player with Clark and Lowry. Ringo should be cut when Pennel returns from injury.
Linebacker-10 Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Datone Jones, Nick Perry, Kyle Fackrell, Jayrone Elliot, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Sam Barrington, Carl Bradford
McCarthy and Ted Thompson love keeping LBs on the roster. They will keep 6 OLBs and Jones is versatile to play DE if needed. Carl Bradford and Joey Thomas will battle for the last roster spot and Sam Barrington returns from an injury filled 2015 season. The young ILBs of Blake Martinez (rookie) and Jake Ryan will get a chance to start and play early.
Cornerback- 5 Sam Shields, Darius Randall, Quentin Rollins, Ladarius Gunter and Demtri Goodson
The Packers are set with their top 3 CBs but lack some experience at the fourth and fifth CB spots. Micah Hyde will be a safety on the roster but can fill in the slot CB role if needed. This versatility allows the Packers to keep only five CBs.
Safety- 4 Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Morgan Burnett, Micah Hyde and Chris Banjo
The Packers should keep four safeties and Banjo and Hyde have experience as backups and offer special teams ability.
Overall
The Packers roster has some versatility and depth. The Packers are thin at 3rd RB, backup CB and backup defensive line. The Packers have a big decision to make on Janis, Abbrederis, Davis and Allison along with keeping Josh Walker. There is a battle at ILB between Bradford and Thomas. Jordy Nelson’s lingering injury is a factor in keeping an extra WR. We’ll see how the Packers make their roster work in 2016.