5 Players Who Might Find Themselves on Green Bay Packers' Practice Squad in 2015

It seems to be the case every year: There are so many talented and high-upside players on the Green Bay Packers' offseason roster, and so few spots for them on the 53-man roster. 

Each season, the Packers have to let go of a number of players who show throughout offseason training activities and training camp that they deserve to survive final cuts. 

The practice squad, however, makes that process a little easier, allowing Green Bay to prioritize its drafted rookies but also continue to develop 10 additional undrafted free agents and players on the roster bubble. 

Let's take a look at five of the players who could earn a spot on Green Bay's practice squad this summer...if they clear waivers. Many of these players are also on the bubble, and training camp will help determine if they can earn a spot on the 53-man roster. 

WR Ricky Collins

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General manager Ted Thompson made a keen undrafted free-agent signing after the NFL draft ended, landing Texas A&M-Commerce's Ricky Collins even though the large stable of wide receiver talent on Green Bay's roster could have urged the undrafted rookie to look elsewhere.

Collins was expected to be drafted in the late rounds, per NFL.com. Even though he didn't receive an invitation to the NFL combine, he had a pre-draft visit with the Packers. His 4.49-second 40-yard dash at his pro day got the Packers' attention, per Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin, as well as that of NFL draft analysts. 

"Good size and has talent but was in a very simple offense and I think he needs to come in as a free agent and prove he can take on a pro offense," an NFC area scout told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. 

With Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery and Jared Abbrederis already filling the maximum six receivers the Packers could feasibly keep on the 53-man roster, anyone who enters the conversation after them, such as Collins as well as a handful of other talented UDFA receivers, will be competing for a practice squad spot. 

Some on the Packers beat, however, think Collins could be good enough to make the final roster, including Brian Carriveau of 247Sports and Cheesehead TV's Aaron Nagler. 

Collins faced numerous obstacles in college, including taking time off to care for his sick father and being unable to play immediately for Texas A&M-Commerce due to transfer rules. However, in his senior season he displayed the potential that made the Packers and other teams take notice: 44 receptions for 1,053 yards and 13 touchdowns.

DT Lavon Hooks

Thomas Graning/Associated Press

Trying to stash Lavon Hooks on the practice squad could be risky. The Ole Miss defensive tackle has a lot of upside and deserves a spot on the 53-man roster based on talent alone. 

However, he'll find it hard to break through that ceiling, situated behind B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, Letroy Guion, Josh Boyd, Mike Pennel and rookie Christian Ringo. Then there's Khyri Thornton and Bruce Gaston, too. 

But if Hooks clears waivers, he'd be a great player for the Packers to develop for the future of the defensive line. 

At Ole Miss, Hooks had 27 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and three sacks.

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reported Hooks got snaps with the No. 2 defense during 11-on-11 drills in organized team activities, and that the Packers are "high on" him.

LB Joe Thomas

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The Packers' group at inside linebacker may be extremely green, with projected starters Sam Barrington and Clay Matthews being the only players who have NFL game experience at the position on the roster. 

However, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of bodies competing for spots ahead of final cuts. 

At inside linebacker alone, the Packers will have to consider Jake Ryan, Carl Bradford, Nate Palmer, Josh Francis and undrafted rookies James Vaughters and Tavarus Dantzler in addition to Joe Thomas. 

If they want to keep six outside linebackers, Green Bay could keep at most four inside 'backers, depending on where Matthews is officially listed on the depth chart. Thomas might find himself moved to the practice squad come final cuts. 

Thomas was having a nice camp in 2014 before he injured his knee in the preseason. After reaching an injury settlement, the Packers brought him back in Week 8 as per the rule.

Because the inside linebacker group is so untested, it's really a toss-up. Thomas could make the roster and push someone like Palmer or Dantzler out. Training camp will be the true test of which inside linebacker brings the most to the table not only on defense, but on special teams as well.

CB Bernard Blake

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

After bolstering the secondary through the draft, the Packers' depth chart at cornerback is looking crowded. Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Demetri Goodson and undrafted rookie LaDarius Gunter could all make the final roster, and there would still be a large group on the other side of the cut. 

That group includes Colorado State undrafted rookie Bernard Blake, as well as Tay Glover-Wright and defensive back Kyle Sebetic. 

In college, Blake played in 47 games and started 35. After his senior year, in which he had 38 tackles (26 solo), three tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups and one interception, he was selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game. 

Like receiver Ricky Collins, Blake chose to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Packers despite the crowded position group because of success former UDFAs have had in Green Bay as well as the team's storied history. 

"When you look at the Packers organization, it has a lot of tradition behind it, a lot of history behind it and a reputation for winning, and that was just something that I wanted to be a part of, one of the most storied programs in the NFL," Blake said, per Brian Carriveau of 247Sports. 

Secondary help is always valuable, and Blake could be a worthwhile investment on Green Bay's practice squad.

RB Rajion Neal

Morry Gash/Associated Press

It's almost a given that out of 2014 practice-squad holdover Rajion Neal and undrafted rookie John Crockett, one will make the 53-man roster and one will make the practice squad. 

The question is, who goes where?

Neal also began his playing career in Green Bay as a UDFA, spending the 2014 season on the practice squad. He has experience in the system and can be a three-down player. 

Neal finished his career at Tennessee with 66 catches for 626 yards and five touchdowns.

Crockett, however, has major upside. Prior to the draft, NFL.com projected Crockett to be drafted in Round 6 or 7, so it was a surprise when he didn't get selected. He was a top performer among running back prospects at the NFL combine in the vertical jump (40 inches) and the broad jump (125 inches) and ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash.

Crockett injured his ankle during the mandatory minicamp, so if he isn't a full go at the start of training camp, Neal could begin to edge him out for the No. 3 halfback spot. However, Crockett is less likely to clear waivers if the Packers try to stash him on the practice squad, which is why they may place Neal there instead.