Final 53 -- Play GM and build your roster link

[thequick12]

Qb (2) Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
RB (4) Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Ty Montgomery, Aaron Ripkowski
TE (3) Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Kennard Backman
WR (6) Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Jared Aberderis, Trevor Davis
OL (9) David Baktiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, Tj Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Springs, Lane Taylor, Jc Tretter, Kyle Murphy
ST (3) Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode
DL (6) Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Letroy Guion, Christian Ringo, Mike Pennel, Dean Lowery
OLB (6) Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliot, Datone Jones, Kyler Fackler
ILB (4) Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Sam Barrington, Joey Thomas
DB (10) Sam Shields, Morgan Burnett, Haha Clinton Dix, Damarious Randall, Quienton Rollins, Micah Hyde, Ladarius Gunter, Chris Banjo, Robertson Daniels, Mackinton Dorleant

 

[Firethorn1001]

I'll be rooting for Mortell to be the punter.

 

[PackFan2]

Offense
QB (2) Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
RB (3) Eddie Lacy, James Starks, John Crockett
FB (1) Aaron Ripkowski
TE (3) Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Justin Perrillo
WR (6) Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis
OL (10) David Baktiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, TJ Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Springs, Matt Rotheram, JC Tretter, Kyle Murphy, Lane Taylor

Special Teams
ST (3) Mason Crosby, Peter Mortell, Rick Lovato

Defense
DL (6) Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Letroy Guion, Christian Ringo, B.J. McBryde, Dean Lowery
OLB (6) Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliot, Datone Jones, Kyler Fackler
ILB (4) Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Sam Barrington, Manoa Pikula
DB (9) Sam Shields, Morgan Burnett, Haha Clinton-Dix, Damarious Randall, Quinton Rollins, Micah Hyde, Ladarius Gunter, Chris Banjo, Mackinton Dorleant

Suspended
Mike Pennel
Demetri Goodson

 

[thisisnate]

i thought we were keeping that new rookie long snapper we brought in last year

 

[Deleted member 6794]

i thought we were keeping that new rookie long snapper we brought in last year

You're most likely right about that as Brett Goode tore his ACL late last year and won't be ready for the start of the 2016 season. In addition he's currently a free agent.

 

[Sunshine885500]

I think that there will be at least 3 Free Agent Signings to make the team - maybe as many as 4.
One RB to replace Crockett:
Brandon Burns, RB, Troy: 5-8 ½, 208, 4.55. Three-year player. Carried 431 times for 2,264 yards (5.3) and 12 TDs. Also caught 88 passes for 673 yards and three TDs.
Don Jackson, RB, Nevada: 5-9 ½, 205, 4.49. Rushed 529 times for 2,370 yards (4.5) and 19 TDs. Also caught 23 passes for 269 yards and two TDs.
We saw last year that Speed Kills and having a true change of pace RB makes the most sense.

A 3rd String QB:
Joe Callahan, QB, Wesley (Mass.): 6-1, 216, 4.98. Completed 918 of 1,429 passes for 12,883 yards, 130 TDs and 38 interceptions in an NCAA Division III program. His NFL passer rating was 112.4.

Also, there will be at least one Free Agent DB that will make the team - maybe 2:
to replace Casey Heyward
Makinton Dorleant, CB, Northern Iowa
Dorleant, 5-feet-10 ½ inches and 183 pounds, has the speed (4.39) and background to become the latest undrafted success at cornerback for the Packers.
Josh Hawkins, CB, East Carolina: 5-10 ½, 189, 4.4. Four-year player with nine interceptions. Vertical jump of 40 ½.
Kentrell Brice, S, Louisiana Tech: 5-11 ½, 200, 4.34. Explosive athlete. Vertical jump of 42 and broad jump of 11-1 would have surpassed all safeties at the combine.

Also, if this guy can catch then he's a candidate for the Practice Squad because of his speed.
Devonte Robinson, WR, Utah State: 6-1, 188, 4.32. One of the fastest players in the draft. Had 44 receptions for 552 yards (12.6) and four TDs.

 

[thisisnate]

also notice nobody seems to think lerentee mccray is making the team

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

also notice nobody seems to think lerentee mccray is making the team

I would hope that McCray himself thinks he is making the team.

While I understand the fun of this, its way too early in the process for me to start thinking about the final cuts to 53.

Also, I don't think TT is done signing FA's and you can always count on injuries, a surprise improved player or two or guys who took the off season for granted.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Qb (2) Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
RB (4) Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Ty Montgomery, Aaron Ripkowski
TE (3) Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, Kennard Backman
WR (6) Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis, Jared Aberderis, Trevor Davis
OL (9) David Baktiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, Tj Lang, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Springs, Lane Taylor, Jc Tretter, Kyle Murphy
ST (3) Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode
DL (6) Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Letroy Guion, Christian Ringo, Mike Pennel, Dean Lowery
OLB (6) Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliot, Datone Jones, Kyler Fackler
ILB (4) Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Sam Barrington, Joey Thomas
DB (10) Sam Shields, Morgan Burnett, Haha Clinton Dix, Damarious Randall, Quienton Rollins, Micah Hyde, Ladarius Gunter, Chris Banjo, Robertson Daniels, Mackinton Dorleant

RB/WR: Clever putting Montgomery at running back for emergency duty and the occasional gadget play, but when push comes to shove I believe Janis, Abbrederis or Davis will go. I think Janis is safe as a gunner while showing late season improvement in the passing game. If Davis has trouble with press coverage in preseason, and does not pan out as a kick returner, he'd be the odd man out; you could probably get on the practice squad if that's how he shows in preseason. Abbrederis is a nice little receiver, but his range of utility is limited in my opinion even if he's the best receiver of the 3 from a fundamentals standpoint.

TE: I think the 3rd. spot could open up for the blocking specialist Grinnage, and from what I saw earlier today, he's the only TE that was added. We'll see how things develop. I don't see where Backman or Perillo answer any question or solve any problem. Just guys.

OL: I can't see how it goes any other way. 9 is a lot to start with, they all must be kept barring some shocking trade, and 10 is too many. Rotheram has practice squad eligibility without much risk of being lost.

ILB/OLB: The Packers signed McCray for a reason. Whether they keep him a OLB or try him at ILB, they've already seen something they want. Thomas is an odd man out. His sole job, playing dime backer, just got handed to Martinez. Maybe they go with those 10, maybe they add an ILB to get to 11. I'm less impressed with Elliot than most...strictly rotational.

DB: I think the top 8 through Gunter are solid even if Banjo is just a special team guy. I'll wait for preseason to see who else fills in. Goodson was a pretty good gunner, but that may not be enough to get past a performance enhancing drug issue. I know nothing about the last two guys you named, but I trust one of them is a true safety, not some SS/ILB pretender, because the position is thin cheating Hyde into backup and he'll likely be gone to FA in 2017.

ST: Lovato is under contract. Goode is not. That pretty much tells the story. Did anybody notice a difference with Lovato in there? I didn't. It's not like Goode was one of the top LS who get downfield and make a bunch of tackles. And you save a few 100k in the process with Lovato. I think I read the Packers signed a UDFA punter for competition, as most of us expected. If the kid looks decent and Masthy does not respond to the challenge as Crosby did to his, there would be a change in the works, whether it's this kid or somebody else.

 

[HardRightEdge]

also notice nobody seems to think lerentee mccray is making the team

I think they forgot about him, just as they forgot Pennel was suspended.

 

[NelsonsLongCatch]

I got Ray Drew on my "Final 53"

 

[azrsx05]

I think WR they might actually go 7 this year. I think they went heavy on FB last year. So I'm thinking with how last season shaped up they will keep 7 this year. It'll be Nelson, Cobb, Montgomery, Adams, Janis, Abby, Davis. They'll end up utilitzing Montgomery as a RB/WR position

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I think WR they might actually go 7 this year. I think they went heavy on FB last year. So I'm thinking with how last season shaped up they will keep 7 this year. It'll be Nelson, Cobb, Montgomery, Adams, Janis, Abby, Davis. They'll end up utilitzing Montgomery as a RB/WR position

I believe the Packers only kept six receivers once on their final 53 over the last few years so it's highly unlikely the team will decide to keep even more than that.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I got Ray Drew on my "Final 53"

I'm seeing him waived on 4/25.

 

[tynimiller]

I believe the Packers only kept six receivers once on their final 53 over the last few years so it's highly unlikely the team will decide to keep even more than that.

I agree...tough decision and I think a lot of it may depend on how well they think they'll be able to keep Davis on the PS if they go that route...otherwise I think Abby and Janis both lose out and it is Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Monty and Davis.

I'm a Janis fan, but don't see them saying bye to Adams just yet....way way too early.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I agree...tough decision and I think a lot of it may depend on how well they think they'll be able to keep Davis on the PS if they go that route...otherwise I think Abby and Janis both lose out and it is Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Monty and Davis.

I'm a Janis fan, but don't see them saying bye to Adams just yet....way way too early.

I expect Janis to make the team based on his special teams play and the team to keep six receivers. There´s no reason to believe they will seven will make the final roster though.

 

[tynimiller]

I expect Janis to make the team based on his special teams play and the team to keep six receivers. There´s no reason to believe they will seven will make the final roster though.

yes if 6 is the number I agree!

 

[HardRightEdge]

I think WR they might actually go 7 this year. I think they went heavy on FB last year. So I'm thinking with how last season shaped up they will keep 7 this year. It'll be Nelson, Cobb, Montgomery, Adams, Janis, Abby, Davis. They'll end up utilitzing Montgomery as a RB/WR position

The first problem with carrying 7 WRs is the addition of Cook. Expect him to run a lot out of the slot. This signing was clearly designed to add back what's been missing with the loss of Finley, who took about 50% of his snaps out of slot or wideout. Expect much of the same with Cook. So, when running 4 wide, which the Packers like to do with some frequency, figure Cook as one of those guys much of the time, and in 3-wide some of the time. You don't need 4 WRs backing up.

A second problem with overweighting the WR position group comes down to the 45 man game day roster.

When putting that together, begin with starters, sub package and rotational guys, kickers and LS. Then you have guys not among those groups that are needed in special teams. After that, you need to fill out with guys not already listed to serve as emergency backups whereby every position is covered even if some of those guys never take a snap.

WR in particular is a problem in the overweighting equation because there are not a lot of spots for them on special teams. Returner is the only typical fit. While Janis is a gunner, his speed/size/strength equation to get off the block and downfield in a hurry is not typical among WRs and certainly does not apply to Abbrederis or Davis. The coverage speed positions other than gunner are typically manned by DBs for the simple reason their regular job entails tackling. On the return side, you want guys who can block...again, not something A. or D. or your typical WR are fit for.

Abbrederis is not a returner and fits nowhere else on ST. Davis' draft grade hinged to some degree on returner potential, based primarily on 2 TDs off of 13 returns as a junior. His punt return average was a middling 8 yds.:

http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/trevor-davis-1.html

If Davis pans out as the returner he'll be on the roster; if he doesn't his draft grade goes down and you can probably get him on PS. With Davis as a returner, Abbrederis would not likely survive the cut given no ST utility. Even with multiple injuries at WR, he might never see the offensive field over the entire season in a 7 man group; in a good-health scenario he'd not likely make the game day roster because of the special teams issue.

To repeat, Janis has utility as the gunner, and if Davis steals the KO return duties Janis would have a leg up as the emergency backup at that spot.

A 5th. round pick like Davis is not necessarily a risk to be stolen if the Packers try to put him on PS for failing to win a returner job. He was taken at nearly the identical position in the draft as Abbrederis who ended up there.

Or just think of it this way: with Cook 6 is probably an overweight to start with, and 7 is simply too many.

 

[ivo610]

I think Adams might be fighting for a roster spot possibly

 

[HardRightEdge]

I think Adams might be fighting for a roster spot possibly

Maybe, but I highly doubt it. He had a promising rookie year, was the training camp MVP, then messed up a foot and an ankle, though I'm not sure if the second wasn't a reinjury.

A guy plays hurt and you're ready to give him the bums rush before we even get to preseason.

 

[OldSchool101]

Maybe, but I highly doubt it. He had a promising rookie year, was the training camp MVP, then messed up a foot and an ankle, though I'm not sure if the second wasn't a reinjury.

A guy plays hurt and you're ready to give him the bums rush before we even get to preseason.

He had a really solid year. I remember first noticing at the Jets home opener in 2014, he kinda got us back into the game moving the chains. Then we went double TE max protection and sent Jordy long for 7 which go the crowd going nuts. I think Davante needs to prove himself this year or it will be his last in GB. Last year really hurt him IMO
Inversely.. Janis stepped up big time both ST and in prime time. Jeff may never be a primary Wideout but he has shown he's physically gifted and a great clutch guy. That's undeniable and it will get him on the 53
Regardless of what others say.. I still think he'd make a great 2nd TE because he's very strong and if he put on a few pounds (say 235-240) he'd still be blazing fast and a mismatch for many LBs

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

As much as I want to be able to say Janis finally proved himself to be a good WR in the AZ game, I can't get myself to go that far. Two really nice catches, for long yards, in clutch situations, that he had. However, the first play, he was pretty much left wide open and the second was a hail mary. Neither showed he has improved his route running or playbook retention. AR deserves as much, if not more credit for both of those plays. However, I am with everyone on hoping that those catches help his confidence and nudges his game forward.

 

[LarrysCrookedFinger]

As much as I want to be able to say Janis finally proved himself to be a good WR in the AZ game, I can't get myself to go that far. Two really nice catches, for long yards, in clutch situations, that he had.

Let me jog your memory. He had 7 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs. He was also wide open for what should have been a 3rd TD.

 

[OldSchool101]

As much as I want to be able to say Janis finally proved himself to be a good WR in the AZ game, I can't get myself to go that far. Two really nice catches, for long yards, in clutch situations, that he had. However, the first play, he was pretty much left wide open and the second was a hail mary. Neither showed he has improved his route running or playbook retention. AR deserves as much, if not more credit for both of those plays. However, I am with everyone on hoping that those catches help his confidence and nudges his game forward.

but to be fair he had zero starts at a WR and He was only targeted 25 times in 2015 in 18 games including playoffs. How do we promote (or dismis) a guy that averaged 1 catch a game in the entire season?
In the playoffs he was 7/11 for 145 yards and 2 TDs. So when he was utilized more regularly? In key downs? (More than his 1 meager target/game average season average) He performed at a very respectable level for a guy basically last on the depth chart. Not to mention he's both a decent KR and ST coverage specialist which we've been experimenting with since the Will Blackmon era and before.
I'm not claiming he's a top tier Wideout or even close, Im mainly defending his right to easily make the final 53 and him being a solid draft pick at pick #236.
The best Championship teams in sports have athletes that can come off the bench in the clutch situations and take the baton and finish it off like the anchor on a relay. E.g. James Starks, Steve Kerr etc..

 

[ivo610]

Maybe, but I highly doubt it. He had a promising rookie year, was the training camp MVP, then messed up a foot and an ankle, though I'm not sure if the second wasn't a reinjury.

A guy plays hurt and you're ready to give him the bums rush before we even get to preseason.

Silverstein doesnt think hes a lock to make the 53 either. PFF thinks hes one of the worst WRs in the league if I remember correctly.. my membership expired if anyone wants to check that.