Updated 53-Man Roster Projections for Green Bay Packers Post Week 3 of Preseason
The final game of the preseason for the Green Bay Packers happens Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. This makes the regular season right around the corner and the need for the Packers to get to their final 53-man roster only a few days away.
This year, even more so than in recent years, there are some extremely difficult decisions Green Bay will need to make. For example, should the Packers keep three quarterbacks or only five receivers from an extremely deep group?
Today we'll try to predict the difficult decisions the Packers will be making these next few days. They need to have their roster cut down by Saturday.
Here's an updated 53-man roster for Green Bay following Week 3 of the preseason.
Quarterbacks
1 of 14
Scott Tolzien
I'm sure the Packers would love to keep just two quarterbacks on their final roster, but that seems to be unlikely.
While Tolzien has definitely stepped up his game this preseason, the Packers still might feel more confident with an experienced backup on the roster like Flynn. After all, they experienced what it's like to have backup issues last year.
Of course, the Packers aren't expecting Rodgers to go down for a handful of weeks this year. As long as that happens, this should be one of the deepest and most talented groups of quarterbacks in the league.
Running Backs
2 of 14
James Starks
DuJuan Harris
John Kuhn (Fullback)
Much like the quarterbacks, the Packers are deep and talented at running back. This will be the first year in many years where the ground game will be a major strength for the offense.
The group will be led by Lacy, who has the talent to end the year as one of the truly elite backs in the league. Both Starks and Harris have the ability to make big plays in both the ground and as receivers out of the backfield.
Finally, there's Kuhn, who has been quiet this offseason but will surely make some noise once the regular season starts.
Of the backs who will likely be cut, undrafted free agent Rajion Neal looked like the most talented. Unfortunately, he just was unable to stay healthy following the first week of the preseason.
Don't be surprised if this position ends up being the most dangerous to opposing defenses this year.
Wide Receivers
3 of 14
Jarrett Boykin
Davante Adams
Jeff Janis
It's hard to picture the Packers only keeping five receivers, especially with the amount of talent they have at the position. Guys like Myles White and Alex Gillett should have no trouble finding a roster spot with another team.
However, the Packers have bigger needs at other positions, and this group is as talented as it's been in recent memory. The duo of Nelson and Cobb might be the best in the league. Throw in a much improved Boykin, and the Packers have to feel good about the potential of this group.
What could ultimately put this receiving corps ahead of any unit in the league is the development of the rookies, Adams and Janis. Of the two, Janis has been way more impressive during the preseason, and the seventh-round pick is considered a roster lock by ESPN.com's Rob Demovsky.
If Adams and Janis begin to contribute on a consistent basis, the rest of the NFL should look out.
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Tight Ends
4 of 14
Andrew Quarless
Brandon Bostick
Richard Rodgers
Ryan Taylor
Jake Stoneburner
The Packers absolutely love keeping a bunch of tight ends on their final roster. It was just a few years ago that they kept six tight ends through the regular season.
So, while five might seem a little high, it's definitely a possibility. Either Taylor or Stoneburner could be released, but Taylor has value on special teams, and Stoneburner has looked extremely good this offseason.
With the trio of Quarless, Bostick and Rodgers leading the way, this group could actually be quite productive. Of course, there's also the possibility that it's the weakest position on the offensive side.
Either way, it should be a fun position to watch throughout the year, especially the development of Bostick and Rodgers.
Offensive Tackles
5 of 14
David Bakhtiari
Bryan Bulaga
Derek Sherrod
Had Don Barclay not been lost for the season, the outlook of the offensive tackles would be much brighter. Thankfully, Sherrod is finally healthy and has definitely looked like a first-round pick this offseason.
The key for the success of this group will be health. Sherrod's been injured throughout his career due to a broken leg, and Bulaga missed all of last year with a knee injury.
If any one of these three tackles gets injured during the course of the regular season, it could be disastrous for the Packers. More specifically, it could mean very painful games for Rodgers, which is the last thing Green Bay needs.
On the positive side, Bakhtiari and Bulaga have both looked good in the preseason and should form a solid duo for years to come.
Offensive Guards
6 of 14
Josh Sitton
T.J. Lang
Lane Taylor
Jordan McCray
If the Packers offensive line is going to be dominant this year, it's going to be because of Sitton and Lang.
They were easily two of the best guards in the NFL last year, and that shouldn't change this year. They can dominate in both the passing game and the ground game.
Taylor is a near lock to make the roster because of his versatility to play either guard or tackle if needed. Look for the guards to be the anchor of the offensive line in 2014.
Centers
7 of 14
JC Tretter
Corey Linsley
With Tretter out for multiple weeks with a knee injury, all eyes will be on Linsley, a fifth-round pick from this past year's draft.
The good news for the Packers is that Tretter will be back sometime early in the regular season. This means they don't need to waste another roster spot on a backup for Linsley.
Should something happen to Linsley before Tretter is healthy, the Packers have a plan for that. They'd move Sitton over from guard, which is what they've been doing in practice, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
This will definitely be the position that all eyes will be on over the course of the regular season, even when Tretter returns.
Defensive Ends
8 of 14
Mike Daniels
Datone Jones
Khyri Thornton
If there was one position where the Packers wished they had more depth, it'd be along the defensive line. Unfortunately, they just don't have many options here.
The good news is that that outside linebackers Julius Peppers and Mike Neal are comfortable with their hand in the dirt should it come to that. Hopefully it won't, as both Daniels and Jones look poised for breakout campaigns this season.
The big disappointment has been Thornton, who has been absolutely quiet this offseason. The third-round pick simply hasn't done anything, and if the Packers had more depth at the position, it's likely he'd be cut.
If Daniels and Jones can live up to expectations and play the majority of the snaps, this position should be just fine.
Nose Tackles
9 of 14
Josh Boyd
Mike Pennel
Losing B.J. Raji for the year is a huge hit for the Packers defense. Raji was looking great back at his natural position of nose tackle so far this offseason.
Now the pressure will be on Boyd, a fifth-round pick from last year, and Pennel, an undrafted free agent from this year's draft. Both players certainly have potential and have looked good during training camp, but both are still extremely raw.
The big thing for Boyd and Pennel will be holding down the middle of the defensive line in both the run and pass game. This will allow the more athletic playmakers next to and behind them to be effective.
Don't be surprised if it takes this group a handful of regular-season games before it becomes truly effective.
Outside Linebackers
10 of 14
Clay Matthews
Julius Peppers
Mike Neal
Nick Perry
Jayrone Elliott
Carl Bradford
There are two outside linebackers the Packers would likely love to keep but can't. Those two would be Andy Mulumba and Nate Palmer.
The reason that neither Mulumba or Palmer will make the final roster is twofold. For starters, the Packers simply aren't going to give up on Bradford after spending a third-round pick on him.
Furthermore, both Palmer and Mulumba have been outplayed by Elliott, an undrafted free agent. Elliott's four sacks in his past two preseason games have earned him a roster spot.
The key for his group, like it has been in past seasons, is going to be staying healthy and producing pressure on opposing quarterbacks. As long as it can do that at a high level, the Packers defense should be productive.
Inside Linebackers
11 of 14
Brad Jones
A.J. Hawk
Jamari Lattimore
Sam Barrington
There's no doubt that the Packers would like to have a little more talent at inside linebacker for the 2014 regular season.
Both Jones and Hawk are solid players, but neither is spectacular or a game-changer. As for Lattimore and Barrington, both are best used right now as backup players.
It's possible that Joe Thomas, an undrafted free agent, makes the final roster. He looked good at the start of camp but has gone quiet over the past few weeks.
The Packers shouldn't be expecting too much from this group. If they can simply play decent football, Green Bay should be happy.
Cornerbacks
12 of 14
Sam Shields
Tramon Williams
Casey Hayward
Davon House
Jarrett Bush
It's possible that the cornerbacks in Green Bay will be the leaders of the defense. They not only have the talent, but there is depth and experience at this position.
The biggest surprise this offseason has been House. He's having an outstanding training camp and has forced his way to some playing time this regular season, according to Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
With House joining the trio of Shields, Williams and Hayward, the Packers should actually feel good about their pass defense. Even if they suffer an injury at this position, they have a seasoned veteran in Bush who can step in and make plays.
Don't be surprised if the Packers pass defense improves in a major way from last season.
Safeties
13 of 14
Morgan Burnett
Micah Hyde
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Sean Richardson
The hardest decision to make for the Packers is going to be whether to keep Chris Banjo. He's had an impressive offseason, and it's easy to make a case for him to make the team.
Unfortunately, the Packers need extra players along the offensive line and at linebacker, and Banjo won't make the roster. Green Bay should ultimately be fine, as it will roll out four talented safeties in the secondary.
What will be interesting to see is how the Packers use the likes of Hyde, Clinton-Dix and Richardson. They've all proved to be effective throughout the offseason, and Green Bay could roll out a combination of all four safeties during the regular season.
While this group was a major weakness last year for the defense, it'd be a major surprise if that was the case this season.
Special Teams
14 of 14
Mason Crosby
Tim Masthay
Brett Goode
It was this time last year when everyone seemed to be calling for Crosby to be replaced as the kicker. Oh, how a year has changed things in Green Bay.
Neither Crosby or any of the other special teams specialists has had any competition this offseason. Having stability at kicker, punter and long snapper is a privilege a lot of teams don't get to take advantage of.
Look for this group to continue to be solid for the Packers during the 2014 season.
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