Projected Green Bay Packers' Final 53-Man Roster, Pre-Training Camp Edition

The players currently on the Green Bay Packers' offseason roster won't take another snap until training camp officially begins on July 30, so it's early in the season for our first 53-man roster projection.

However, a projection at this stage in the offseason, complete with a full depth chart, is actually a useful tool heading into training camp. It allows us to pinpoint which players after OTAs and minicamp appear to be in the lead for spots on the final roster and also to allocate how many spots each position could theoretically consume. 

That helps us then analyze training camp position battles better, because once we know that 15 defensive backs will be competing for what will likely only be 10 roster spots for the secondary, it becomes clear which players are on the bubble. 

Don't get too hung up on where each player is officially listed. The following depth chart is partially based on the last official team depth chart released in January, but just because Clay Matthews may be listed at left inside linebacker, it doesn't mean he won't also play or even start at left outside linebacker. 

Each positional group receives its own breakdown in the following projection followed by one slide containing the entire 53-man roster by position. Players have been listed multiple times if applicable in the depth charts but only once on the 53-man roster. 

Quarterbacks

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First: Aaron Rodgers

Second: Scott Tolzien

Third: Brett Hundley

Aaron Rodgers was just named the No. 2 player in the league overall in the NFL's annual Top 100 list—making him the No. 1 quarterback. 

Indeed, as long as he can stay healthy, we could be in store for a historic season to top Rodgers' already gaudy past numbers. Those include career highs of 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns set in the 2011 season and a career-low five interceptions in 2014. The question for Rodgers, as his accuracy continues to climb, is how much lower can his interception rate get than 1.0 percent?

Heading into training camp, the roster spots behind Rodgers are looking contentious. In past seasons, the Packers have only carried two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Last season, after Rodgers missed seven games in 2013 with a broken collarbone, they kept three, and conventional wisdom and a crowded roster suggest they'll do the same in 2015. 

Scott Tolzien took the second-team reps throughout OTAs and minicamp, and when the veterans were dismissed early on the last day of minicamp, Tolzien took the first-team reps, per ESPN.com's Rob Demovksy. 

Tolzien's knowledge of the playbook and in-game experience make him the player you want on the bench directly behind Rodgers.

As for the No. 3 spot, the Packers may have to sacrifice the present to serve the future. Per Demovsky, journeyman quarterback Matt Blanchard is "so far ahead of" rookie Brett Hundley currently and heads into training camp as the third-string quarterback. 

However, the Packers traded up 19 spots in the draft to select Hundley, and head coach Mike McCarthy wants to develop a young quarterback prospect. Though Blanchard has had an impressive offseason, given what the Packers have already invested in Hundley, they have to find a spot for him on the 53-man roster. 

Wide Receivers

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First: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb

Second: Davante Adams, Jeff Janis

Third: Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis

Green Bay currently has a whopping 12 wide receivers on the offseason roster and will have to cut that number at least in half by the time final cuts come around. 

Though the Packers had five receivers on the roster last season, none of the players in the above-listed depth chart seems dispensable.

Perhaps the Packers could sneak Abbrederis onto the practice squad if they need an extra roster spot at another position, but he'll be a valuable special teams returner and has barely gotten a chance to show off his skills after missing his entire rookie season with a torn ACL. 

Seeing the most snaps in almost every offensive package will of course be veterans Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, who combined for 2,806 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in 2014 in the regular season.

Also earning a substantial number of snaps in the 11 personnel package (three receivers, one running back and one tight end) will be projected No. 3 receiver and promising young star Davante Adams. He had 11 starts in 2014 and totaled 38 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns and is poised for a breakout campaign in 2015. 

The depth chart gets a little murkier beyond that. Assuming the Packers do keep these six receivers, it's a question of where to slot them in. Jeff Janis is putting together another impressive offseason, as he did his rookie year, highlighted by a flashy touchdown catch from Aaron Rodgers on a two-minute drill in practice, per Green Bay Press-Gazette beat writer Ryan Wood. 

Rookie Ty Montgomery could prove to be more of a package option on the offense, earning a limited number of snaps from the slot and out of the backfield. Expect him to make his mark on special teams, however.  

Running Backs

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Halfbacks 

First: Eddie Lacy 

Second: James Starks

Third: John Crockett

Fullbacks

First: John Kuhn

Second: Aaron Ripkowski

Rajion Neal or John Crockett? It's the big offseason question surrounding the Packers' No. 3 running back job. Typically, the Packers' No. 3 does not steal many snaps from Eddie Lacy and James Starks; in 2014, third-stringer DuJuan Harris had 51 snaps to Starks' 270 and Lacy's 697, per Pro Football Focus.  

Still, even if the third running back won't be carrying the ball often on offense, the Packers need to find a player who complements Lacy and Starks well in change-of-pace situations and who can contribute on special teams as well. 

Those qualities could help undrafted rookie Crockett earn the job from practice squad holdover Rajion Neal despite the latter's experience in Green Bay's system. Crockett had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at North Dakota State. As NDSU's primary kick returner in the second half of the 2013 season, he averaged 26.2 yards over 11 returns. 

Could the Packers really keep two fullbacks on the final roster when some teams in the NFL don't even have one? It might be necessary because of the crucial role John Kuhn plays as a lead blocker for Lacy, a skill Ripkowski won't have mastered nearly as well come September. Certainly, expect 2015 to be Kuhn's swan song in Green Bay. 

Tight Ends

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First: Richard Rodgers

Second: Andrew Quarless

Third: Kennard Backman

Does Andrew Quarless deserve a spot on the final roster after an incident over Fourth of July weekend in which he allegedly fired a gun in public during "an argument with a group of women," as reported by the Miami New Times' Tim Elfrink? 

Opinions differ on that, but at this point in time ahead of training camp, two sources have told ESPN.com's Rob Demovksy the Packers do not plan to release Quarless. So in the absence of any further information surrounding Quarless' arrest or potential punishment from the league, we must assume the Packers' current plans include Quarless on the roster. 

Certainly, the move helps propel second-year player Richard Rodgers more firmly into a starting role. Rodgers played 543 snaps last season, per Pro Football Focus, and had five starts. Quarless received more snaps than Rodgers last season, with 715, and 11 starts, per Pro Football Focus. 

However, Rodgers continued to improve throughout the season, both in blocking and in receiving, while Quarless' ceiling is established by this point in his career. As Quarless enters a contract year, the Packers will give Rodgers more opportunities to prove himself as the tight end of the future. 

If a future scenario exists in which Green Bay cuts Quarless from the team, expect the Packers to add former practice squad player Justin Perillo back into the mix. 

Rookie Kennard Backman will have a chance to impress during training camp; so far in the offseason, he displayed "nice body control," per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, on a backpedaling touchdown catch. 

Undrafted rookie tight ends Mitchell Henry and Harold Spears are both candidates for the practice squad. 

Offensive Line

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Left Tackle

First: David Bakhtiari 

Second: JC Tretter

Left Guard

First: Josh Sitton

Second: Don Barclay

Center

First: Corey Linsley

Second: JC Tretter

Right Guard

First: T.J. Lang

Second: Matt Rotheram

Right Tackle

First: Bryan Bulaga

Second: T.J. Lang

The Packers' starting five will remain intact until at least 2017. That is sure to make quarterback Aaron Rodgers happy. 

This elite group boasts some of the top players at their positions in the league. Per Pro Football Focus, T.J. Lang was the No. 2 right guard in the league in 2014, and Josh Sitton was the No. 2 left guard.

In his rookie season, Corey Linsley ranked as the No. 5 center in the league, per Pro Football Focus—a remarkable feat considering that Linsley didn't even enter training camp as the starting center last year, but replaced JC Tretter after the latter's injury and earned the job for keeps. 

Right tackle Bryan Bulaga finished the 2014 season the No. 4 right tackle in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Left tackle David Bakhtiari didn't earn quite as impressive a ranking but graded favorably in pass blocking and limited pressures on Rodgers. 

In addition to getting Don Barclay back from injury, expect the Packers to offer a roster spot to undrafted rookie Matt Rotheram. 2015 was the first draft of general manager Ted Thompson's tenure in which he did not draft an offensive lineman.  

Defensive Line

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Left Defensive End

First: Josh Boyd

Second: Letroy Guion

Third: Datone Jones

Nose Tackle

First: B.J. Raji

Second: Letroy Guion

Third: Mike Pennel

Right Defensive End

First: Mike Daniels

Second: Christian Ringo

Cuts are projected to hit the Packers defensive line especially hard this summer. Ten defensive ends and tackles will head into training camp looking to make the final roster, but space exigencies may only allow Green Bay to keep seven. 

Even worse, some of those cuts include fairly young players who were draft selections. 

Surprised that Boyd is taking precedence over Datone Jones and Letroy Guion for the starting left end position? It's a competition that could come down to which player is actually available to start the season.

Jones has been suspended for the season opener against the Chicago Bears for a citation for marijuana possession early in the offseason, as reported by the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Guion's punishment from the league as a result of his February arrest for possession of marijuana and a firearm remains undetermined. 

Lavon Hooks is one of the more intriguing undrafted free agents from this year's class, and if there's not room for him on the 53-man roster, the Packers will almost certainly try to continue to develop him on the practice squad. 

Khyri Thornton spent his rookie year on injured reserve after he injured his hamstring in the final game of the preseason. It's premature to close the door on him now. But he also wasn't showing much in training camp last year before his injury, and Green Bay needs to make room for rookie Christian Ringo. This is truly a make-or-break offseason for Thornton. 

Another player who didn't make the cut is Bruce Gaston. Mike Pennel rounds out the depth the Packers need at nose tackle. 

Linebackers

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Left Outside Linebacker

First: Mike Neal

Second: Clay Matthews

Third: Jayrone Elliott

Left Inside Linebacker

First: Clay Matthews

Second: Jake Ryan 

Middle Linebacker

First: Sam Barrington 

Second: Carl Bradford

Right Outside Linebacker

First: Julius Peppers

Second: Nick Perry

Another position with some notable names missing, linebacker will be an incredibly difficult one for Green Bay's front office to pare down by final cuts. 

In this projection, Adrian Hubbard, Andy Mulumba, Nate Palmer and undrafted rookies Tavarus Dantzler, Jermauria Rasco and James Vaughters didn't survive, but expect one or two of those players to land on the practice squad. If we're projecting: Palmer and/or Dantzler. 

Don't fret about Matthews' official listing at inside linebacker. The team may do it differently, but the thought is he'll be starting there on first and second downs and move outside in passing situations. 

If he develops quickly, rookie Jake Ryan should get the nod to replace Matthews on third downs, especially given his coverage skills. 

With Matthews playing inside, it's up to Mike Neal and Julius Peppers to anchor the pass rush in the base defense. Nick Perry better hope defensive coordinator Dom Capers gives him enough snaps to prove he deserves a contract extension come March; after the Packers opted not to pick up his fifth-year option, Perry entered a contract year.

In the NASCAR package, Neal, Peppers, Perry and Matthews will all rush the passer. Elliott earns a spot over other talented players because the team will remember last year's preseason in which he led all NFL players in sacks. But he'll have to produce something in an NFL game to truly boost his resume. 

Cornerbacks

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Left Cornerback

First: Sam Shields 

Second: Damarious Randall 

Third: Demetri Goodson

Right Cornerback

First: Casey Hayward

Second: Quinten Rollins

Third: Micah Hyde (slot)

Is there truly strength in numbers? The Packers will find out this season if that's true for their cornerbacks group, a unit that was depleted in free agency with the departure of Tramon Williams, Davon House and Jarrett Bush. 

If Casey Hayward moves to the outside to fill the hole left by Williams, defensive back Micah Hyde will likely earn Hayward's former snaps as the primary slot cornerback, which is why he's listed among the cornerbacks. 

Drafted as a one-two punch, rookies Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins appear to be being groomed for two different roles. Per ESPN.com's Rob Demovksy, who observed Randall at all offseason practices open to the media, Randall appears to be best "suited to play only on the outside." Rollins, on the other hand, has been spending most of his time inside and could be the Packers' primary dime back.

Rollins could also take over snaps at nickel if Hyde has to move to safety to back up Ha Ha Clinton-Dix for any reason. 

Second-year player Goodson may see some of his potential snaps on defense stolen by the rookies, but he'll be a beneficial special teams gunner. His experience in the system will also come in handy if there are any injuries to the group. 

Now, let's talk about who didn't make it. Most notably, exciting undrafted rookie prospect LaDarius Gunter just barely missed the cut but seems a lock for the practice squad if he can clear waivers. Tay Glover-Wright, Bernard Blake and defensive back Kyle Sebetic are also absent. 

Safeties

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Strong Safety

First: Morgan Burnett

Second: Sean Richardson

Third: Chris Banjo

Free Safety

First: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Second: Micah Hyde 

Morgan Burnett's cap hit rises to $5.1 million in 2015, per Spotrac.com, but the Packers are clearly committed to the veteran; it's a small safety group behind him and fellow starter Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. 

Clinton-Dix went out on a high note in 2014, with three passes defensed and two interceptions in the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks. He built momentum through the year and is poised to limit mistakes and hopefully increase takeaways in 2015. 

After they matched the Oakland Raiders' offer of $2.55 million over one year to keep restricted free-agent Richardson in Green Bay, expect him to factor into the Packers' plans on defense as more than just a backup. He's a strong run defender and could come in as an extra defensive back on first and second downs and keep contributing on special teams. 

Banjo is another core special teams player. After starting out last season on the practice squad, Banjo was signed to the active roster in December. 

Hyde also provides depth at free safety and can move over from slot corner should the team need him to. 

Special Teams

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Kicker

Mason Crosby

Punter

Tim Masthay

Long Snapper 

Brett Goode

Punt Returner

First: Jared Abbrederis

Second: Micah Hyde

Kick Returner

First: Ty Montgomery

Second: John Crockett

Mason Crosby is entering the final year of his contract in Green Bay after eight seasons, and he will turn 31 in September. He had a solid year in 2014 and may use his performance this season to push for a contract that allows him to play a few more years, be it in Green Bay or somewhere else. 

Green Bay signed former Alabama punter Cody Mandell to bring in competition in training camp for Masthay, who had the worst season of his career in Green Bay in 2014. Masthay posed a career low in net yards per punt with 37 and had two punts blocked.

With a dud of a returns game in 2014 that saw them average only 19.1 yards per kick return, 31st in the league, the Packers have some exciting options in rookies Ty Montgomery and John Crockett. Montgomery averaged 27.4 yards per kick return at Stanford. 

Full 53-Man Roster

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Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Scott Tolzien, Brett Hundley

Wide Receivers: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Ty Montgomery, Jared Abbrederis   

Running Backs: Eddie Lacy, James Starks, John Crockett, John Kuhn (FB), Aaron Ripkowski (FB)

Tight Ends: Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Kennard Backman

Offensive Line: David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, T.J. Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Don Barclay, JC Tretter, Matt Rotheram 

Defensive Line: B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels, Letroy Guion, Josh Boyd, Mike Pennel, Datone Jones, Christian Ringo

Linebackers: Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Sam Barrington, Jake Ryan, Carl Bradford

Cornerbacks: Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, Demetri Goodson, Micah Hyde (slot)

Safeties: Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Sean Richardson, Chris Banjo

Special Teams: Mason Crosby (K), Tim Masthay (P), Brett Goode (LS)

Practice Squad: Ricky Collins (WR), LaDarius Gunter (CB), Lavon Hooks (DT), Tavarus Dantzler (LB), Rajion Neal (RB), Bernard Blake (CB), Bruce Gaston (DT), Joe Thomas (LB)