Packers vs. Browns: 5 Packers Under the Most Pressure in Their Preseason Opener

The Green Bay Packers travel to Cleveland on Saturday—after a quick pit stop in Washington, D.C. to visit the President of the United States—to take on the Browns in the team's first live-game action since winning Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers just around six months ago. 

The Packers return a deep roster from their Super Bowl-winning club, as they bring back several players from injured reserve and a promising draft class. 

That kind of talent and depth puts a premium on the Packers' 53 available roster spots, and Saturday's preseason game is the first game-evaluation tool for head coach Mike McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson. 

Here are five Packers who are under pressure to perform, either to make the 53-man roster or reasons stated otherwise.

WR Brett Swain

A year after making the roster as the team's No. 5 wide receiver, Swain's hopes of accomplishing that feat two years in a row are slim-to-none. 

The Packers have five receivers—Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb—who are ahead of him on the depth chart, and it doesn't appear as if Swain will be jumping any of them soon.

So, unless the Packers decide to keep six receivers, or one of the five ahead of him are injured, it's likely to the chopping block for Swain. 

However, impressive showings in preseason games could be enough to sway the Packers to keep an extra receiver. If anything else, it's Swain's audition period for his next NFL team. 

OL Derek Sherrod

The Packers made 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod their starting left guard to start camp, despite the fact he's never played there before.

He's had some ups-and-downs through camp, but the Packers first unofficial depth chart listed him as the starter, ahead of veteran guard T.J. Lang. 

As the Packers head into their first game action, it will be important for Sherrod to build on the Packers confidence in him. If he struggles with the first unit, and T.J. Lang impresses with the second string, McCarthy won't be shy in shaking up the next depth chart. 

The ball is in Sherrod's court to hold onto the starting position that was granted to him early in camp.

WR Randall Cobb

Early on in Packers camp, no single player has received as much attention or praise as 2011 second-round pick Randall Cobb. 

He's displayed a knack for returning both punts and kicks—he'll start as the Packers punt returner in Cleveland—and Cobb has made play-after-play in passing situations with the team's No. 1 offense. 

Those first impressions of Cobb have turned up the expectations for him heading into the season. Fans initially expected him to be a game-changer on special teams, but I think people are now just as excited about his potential as a receiver. 

I'd expect the Packers to give Cobb ample opportunities to make plays on Saturday. The preseason is typically the time when a player like Cobb could take over a football game. However, it's up to him whether or not he plays like he has to start Packers training camp.

QB Matt Flynn

Matt Flynn's roster spot is far from in jeopardy, but his future in the NFL will be under the microscope this preseason. 

After an impressive passing display in the Packers' narrow loss to New England last season, Flynn burst onto the scene as a potential trade piece for a team in need of a quarterback. Green Bay wisely held onto their backup, but he's an unrestricted free agent after this season. 

That means any opportunity for Flynn to see the field is a chance for NFL teams to continue to evaluate Flynn as a potential starting quarterback in this league. 

Barring any injury to Aaron Rodgers, a strong preseason may be the only chance Flynn gets to prove to a franchise that he's ready to take over their respective team.

LB Erik Walden

While I hesitate to put too much emphasis on the Packers initial depth chart, it was interesting to see Erik Walden's name as a starter opposite Clay Matthews. 

Frank Zombo, a 2010 undrafted free agent, won the job in training camp last season and played well for the most part throughout the season, including a sack in the Super Bowl of Ben Roethlisberger. 

But Walden also played well down the stretch, giving the Packers one of the best defensive performances of the season in Week 17 against the Bears (14 tackles, three sacks). 

I've said all along that the athleticism of Walden could ultimately force the Packers to vault him over Zombo at outside linebacker, and that's already happening here. 

Like I also said, however, the initial depth chart is far from set in stone, and Walden needs to play well in exhibition games to cement his spot. Remember—it was Zombo last preseason who impressed during camp and preseason to win the spot. He has it in him.