Projecting the 53 Man Roster

[Bojack]

It's early, but I'm hopeless.

QB: The hope here is that they stack up the young guys and someone emerges from the pack as a clear front runner. If they end up carrying three, it's because no one differentiates themselves, or because two guys were so good that it forced the Packers' hands. I am going to project one, an I'm projecting that it's Kizer just based on tools and pedigree.

• A. Rodgers
• D. Kizer
• T: 2
• RT: 2

RB: While there are some guys hanging on to the bottom of the roster, it seems like an easy call that this group will be Aaron, Jamaal, and Dexter unless someone gets hurt. Petals uses a fullback, and Vitale fits the mold that he likes and is already in house.

• A. Jones
• J. Williams
• D. Williams
• D. Vitale
• T: 4
• RT: 6

TE: Given Petals' predilection for TE usage, I might expect them to go a little heavy at this position. Graham is locked in at this point, as is Sternberger. Lewis should be safe as he offers blocking that no one else approaches, and I would like to see Tonyan stick around and develop.

• J. Graham
• M. Lewis
• J. Sternberger
• R. Tonyan
• T: 4
• RT: 10

WR: I expect at least six guys at this position. Adams is a lock, while Allison, MVS, and EQ all feel relatively safe. Trevor Davis has a strong chance just based on PR ability. Moore, Kumerow, and perhaps Lazard will likely be competing for one spot. If Moore's hands/concentration have improved, I think he's an easy favorite.

• D. Adams
• G. Allison
• M. Valdes-Scantling
• E. St. Brown
• J. Moore
• T. Davis
• T: 6
• RT: 16

OL: My best guess at a starting unit is: Bakhtiari - Jenkins - Linsley - Turner - Bulaga. Thus those guys are safe for me. I would expect nine or ten guys to make the roster. Spriggs should be safe due to lacking OT depth. The interior depth is pretty crowded (which is great!). I am going to project Madison, Patrick, and Light to make it. It's a little bold to have Taylor getting cut, but if he's replaced as a starter it is likely because he's a poor scheme fit. And why pay a poor scheme fit a lot of money to be a backup?

• D. Bakhtiari
• B. Bulaga
• J. Spriggs
• B. Turner
• E. Jenkins
• C. Madison
• C. Linsley
• L. Patrick
• A. Light
• T: 9
• RT: 25

DL: I expect six players to be kept on the defensive line, though five would not shock me. It seems that there are six who are logically separated from the rest of the guys on the roster. Mike Daniels could be a surprise cut given how much has been invested in 3T rushers this offseason.

• K. Clark
• M. Daniels
• D. Lowry
• T. Lancaster
• M. Adams
• K. Keke
• T: 6
• RT: 31

ED: I think five is a reasonable projection for this position, with four being locked in (The Smith's, Gary, and Fackrell). That would leave Gilbert and Donnerson fighting for one spot. I am going to guess that Donnerson gets the nod just based on his speed rush ability, which is somewhat unique to the unit.

• Z. Smith
• P. Smith
• R. Gary
• K. Fackrell
• K. Donnerson
• T: 5
• RT: 36

LB: Three or four linebackers will be kept on the roster. Martinez is a lock and Burks is close. I think Ty Summers has a good shot at being Martinez's backup. Crawford will have an uphill battle to impress the new ST coach, but if he can do that he will probably stick (he's also an emergency OLB). I think that Josh Jones will essentially be depth/competition at dime linebacker, but I will list him with the safeties.

• B. Martinez
• O. Burks
• T. Summers
• J. Crawford
• T: 4
• RT: 40

CB: Given the talent glut at corner and the thinness at safety, I think they could keep as many as six corners and perhaps use some of them in safety roles when they are in dime defense.

• J. Alexander
• T. Williams
• K. King
• J. Jackson
• T. Brown
• K. Hollman
• T: 6
• RT: 46

S: This is the position where I think we could see an addition via FA, or perhaps where a UDFA could make the roster. If they added someone else, then I think it's possible it could impact LB as more safety depth would enable Jones to slide over into more of a full-time dime LB role.

• A. Amos
• D. Savage
• J. Jones
• R. Greene
• T: 4
• RT: 50

ST: I had hoped that they might find a kicker and move on from Crosby's expensive mediocrity, but that doesn't seem to have happened. They will have Sam Ficken in camp, but nothing about his resume makes me think he's going to unseat Crosby.

• M. Crosby
• J. Scott
• H. Bradley
• T: 3
• RT: 53

Agree. With most of them except j moore if not to practice squad will be released. Making room for Shepard more consistent player. Simms and Bolten both make 53. Josh jones will be traded or released would like to see him traded to dallas for Lb Lee. Would not be surprised if tramon released as well with consistent play of hollman and brown

 

[OldSchool101]

I don’t see J’Mon on the 53, barring a miracle in the last two games. As for Summers, they may have to gibe him a roster spot of Burks is out.

I’d prefer we trade for an above average, non injury prone ILB adjacent to Martinez. Then develop Bolton, Crawford and bring Burks back slowly. Ty should go to the PS unless he has a revelation or gets struck like Saul from Tarsus

 

[OldSchool101]

Lewis is way too good of a blocker and that is what MLF's system is about, so unless he gets injured, I think he is in. They actually may end up keeping 4 TE's AND a FB, which is why I think only 6 WR's.

This would be the year to keep make an exception and go 7+1PS at WR.
Adams, MVS, Allison, Kumerow, (Special teams EQ, Shepherd, Davis) Practice Squad Lazard.

I’m not sure 3 TEs wouldn’t be out of the question in this years scenario

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Yeah he was juked 4 or 5 times in the Texas game. Hope that’s fixable, but the D overall is weak on tackling, the stuff they teach when you’re 14 years old..........

Unfortunately NFL players aren't allowed to practice tackling anymore though.

Shepherd makes a lot more sense than Davis. Even when Davis was healthy, he could not be counted on as a WR.

Most importantly Shepherd has to beat out Davis as a returner to make the roster.

As far as Davis VS Shepherd on returns. So far I have liked Shepherd's decisions more than I liked Davis's often indecisive nature. Davis might be more experienced and potentially could pick up a few more yards, but at this point I like everything else I have seen from Shepherd.

Shepherd at least has some experience returning punts in college with a total of 44 attempts for an average of 13.1 yards. He returned only a single kickoff though.

Lewis is way too good of a blocker and that is what MLF's system is about, so unless he gets injured, I think he is in.

Lewis wasn't impressive as a blocker last season. If he doesn't improve in that area he might end up getting released.

Now that's an interesting corner case, and likely correct. I wonder how that plays out, cap-wise, if the player were to then retire. How would the team be forced to account for that? Immediately? What if it happened after week 17--would the team be in immediate violation of the cap due a potential accelerated cap hit?

I guess that the prorated portion of a player's signing bonus counts against the cap even with him being on the exempt list.

Josh jones will be traded or released would like to see him traded to dallas for Lb Lee.

The Packers should pass on Lee with him being 33 years old and having missed 14 games over the past two seasons.

This would be the year to keep make an exception and go 7+1PS at WR.
Adams, MVS, Allison, Kumerow, (Special teams EQ, Shepherd, Davis) Practice Squad Lazard.

I highly doubt Lazard would make it to the practice squad.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This would be the year to keep make an exception and go 7+1PS at WR.
Adams, MVS, Allison, Kumerow, (Special teams EQ, Shepherd, Davis) Practice Squad Lazard.

I’m not sure 3 TEs wouldn’t be out of the question in this years scenario

I would be surprised if they kept both Shepherd and Davis, since they both offer pretty much the same skill set, back-up WR and #1 returner.

While I think EQB will probably make the final 53, I could also see a scenario where Lazard beats him out for one of the spots.

 

[PackerDNA]

I can see keeping at least 7, possibly 8 WR's. If Lewis at age 35 has lost it as a blocker, go with 3 TE's. Go with 5 or just 4 RB/TE's? The roster spot will be there.
Anyone hoping to stash guys like Shepard or Lazard on the PS, forget it. They wouldn't last a New York minute.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I can see keeping at least 7, possibly 8 WR's. If Lewis at age 35 has lost it as a blocker, go with 3 TE's. Go with 5 or just 4 RB/TE's? The roster spot will be there.
Anyone hoping to stash guys like Shepard or Lazard on the PS, forget it. They wouldn't last a New York minute.

While I understand what you are saying about all of our WR's, it is pretty common for WR's to look like the next best thing during preseason and then when pressed into duty during the regular season, they aren't nearly as good as once thought. I highly doubt the Packers keep 8 WR's, this would serve only to deplete one of the other positions of depth that the Packers will need during the regular season and put 1-2 guys on the 53, that probably won't see any playing time.

If MLF is as into trying to establish a solid run game as everyone says, the Packers are going to need at least 3 healthy RB's and 3-4 TE's to start the season and then you add the FB that it seems like MLF wants as well. What are the odds that Graham and Lewis make it through the entire season without missing time? Same with Jones and Williams at RB.

If Davis is healthy and the Packers think he has turned the corner at WR, I think Shepherd is the logical guy to try and swing over to the PS. Lazard might have caught the eyes of some other teams and that might be Gute's toughest decision. Do you keep him as the #7 or is he better than EQB?

So in my opinion, the WR battles have come down to:

• Davis VS Shepherd
• EQB VS Lazard

With Adams, Allison, MVS and Kumerow pretty solid as your 1-4.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I can see keeping at least 7, possibly 8 WR's. If Lewis at age 35 has lost it as a blocker, go with 3 TE's. Go with 5 or just 4 RB/TE's? The roster spot will be there.
Anyone hoping to stash guys like Shepard or Lazard on the PS, forget it. They wouldn't last a New York minute.

I agree with Pokerbrat that there's no reason to believe the Packers will keep eight wide receivers on the roster. Most likely only six will make the 53.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

While I understand what you are saying about all of our WR's, it is pretty common for WR's to look like the next best thing during preseason and then when pressed into duty during the regular season, they aren't nearly as good as once thought. I highly doubt the Packers keep 8 WR's, this would serve only to deplete one of the other positions of depth that the Packers will need during the regular season and put 1-2 guys on the 53, that probably won't see any playing time.

If MLF is as into trying to establish a solid run game as everyone says, the Packers are going to need at least 3 healthy RB's and 3-4 TE's to start the season and then you add the FB that it seems like MLF wants as well. What are the odds that Graham and Lewis make it through the entire season without missing time? Same with Jones and Williams at RB.

If Davis is healthy and the Packers think he has turned the corner at WR, I think Shepherd is the logical guy to try and swing over to the PS. Lazard might have caught the eyes of some other teams and that might be Gute's toughest decision. Do you keep him as the #7 or is he better than EQB?

So in my opinion, the WR battles have come down to:

• Davis VS Shepherd
• EQB VS Lazard

With Adams, Allison, MVS and Kumerow pretty solid as your 1-4.

Thursday night in Winnipeg could be huge for the four receivers you alluded to fight for likely two spots. Both Shepherd and Lazard are intriguing prospects - Perhaps one or both will find their way to the practice squad if not the final 53.


I'm glad I don't have to decide.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Thursday night in Winnipeg could be huge for the four receivers you alluded to fight for likely two spots. Both Shepherd and Lazard are intriguing prospects - Perhaps one or both will find their way to the practice squad if not the final 53.


I'm glad I don't have to decide.

Yes, I wouldn't want to have to decide either, but the coaches and Gute have the next 11 days to sift through everything they have and will see. I keep leaning away from Davis, simply because he reminds me of Jeff Janis, in that he just hasn't shown much as a WR. That may change for him and it could end up being the same for the other 3. Being able to contribute on special teams is pretty big when it comes to any backup player.

Most of us also don't get to see what goes on at practice or during other aspects of training camp and interactions with QB1 and coaches. To me those are probably the bigger variables in making the final decision.

 

[PackerDNA]

I'd rather keep 7 or 8 WR's with legit upside than a schmo at the bottom of another positions depth chart. You can pick up a schmo anytime.
If it's all about keeping the best 53 players.....

 

[PackerDNA]

You can pretty much place a bet in Vegas that Davis will miss a chunk of the season with injuries. I'd take Shepard over him.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Yes, I wouldn't want to have to decide either, but the coaches and Gute have the next 11 days to sift through everything they have and will see. I keep leaning away from Davis, simply because he reminds me of Jeff Janis, in that he just hasn't shown much as a WR. That may change for him and it could end up being the same for the other 3. Being able to contribute on special teams is pretty big when it comes to any backup player.

Actually I would love to have to make the decision as it would most likely mean that I earned several million bucks a year I'm convinced most posters around here are extremely glad that I'm not the one having control over the roster though.

If Davis doesn't get healthy in a heartbeat he will most likely end up losing his job to Shepherd.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I'd rather keep 7 or 8 WR's with legit upside than a schmo at the bottom of another positions depth chart. You can pick up a schmo anytime.
If it's all about keeping the best 53 players.....

It doesn't make a lot of sense keeping that many wide receivers though as some of them would end up not having an impact this season at all.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'd rather keep 7 or 8 WR's with legit upside than a schmo at the bottom of another positions depth chart. You can pick up a schmo anytime.
If it's all about keeping the best 53 players.....

How many years did TT and the Packers think Janis had an upside at WR? Thankfully, he contributed on ST's or he really had no business on the 53 each year.

I get that its hard to part with players that are showing potential, but it is also about having enough depth at each position on your 53 to get through each game, as well as a long season. Creating a 53 man roster where 15% (8 players) of it is comprised of one position isn't prudent IMO. The roster also has to include enough guys to fill out all your special teams units. Those final spots at WR are probably going to be given to guys who can do both, play WR and ST's.

 

[PackerDNA]

It doesn't make a lot of sense keeping that many wide receivers though as some of them would end up not having an impact this season at all.

And the #9 O lineman - who you'd likely never want to see on the field- will?

 

[PackerDNA]

How many years did TT and the Packers think Janis had an upside at WR? Thankfully, he contributed on ST's or he really had no business on the 53 each year.

I get that its hard to part with players that are showing potential, but it is also about having enough depth at each position on your 53 to get through each game, as well as a long season. Creating a 53 man roster where 15% (8 players) of it is comprised of one position isn't prudent IMO. The roster also has to include enough guys to fill out all your special teams units. Those final spots at WR are probably going to be given to guys who can do both, play WR and ST's.

I don't think they keep 8- only 50/50 on 7- WR's. But I'd rather have guys who can be players than camp bodies on the roster. Depth isn't about having a lot of warm bodies.
IMO, the decision will be made tougher knowing that if they put Shepard or Lazard on the PS, they're gone in a blink.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If Davis doesn't get healthy in a heartbeat he will most likely end up losing his job to Shepherd.

Sounds like Davis was back at practice and looked pretty good. But yes, his propensity for injuries concerns me as well.

And the #9 O lineman - who you'd likely never want to see on the field- will?

I actually like the way the OL is shaping up for depth and none of these guys scare me too much. I think Madison still needs another year and will hopefully be available to sign on the PS. But the need for 9 OL for a full season seems to play out pretty much every year.

David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Bryan Bulaga, Lane Taylor, Alex Light, Lucas Patrick, Justin McCray

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't think they keep 8- only 50/50 on 7- WR's. But I'd rather have guys who can be players than camp bodies on the roster. Depth isn't about having a lot of warm bodies.
IMO, the decision will be made tougher knowing that if they put Shepard or Lazard on the PS, they're gone in a blink.

While I hope we can get a couple of the aforementioned WR's to the PS, isn't it a good sign when you have other teams clamoring for your cut players? Probably means the guys you kept are pretty good. Yes, it would be great to be able to stockpile the best players, but you can't, unless you want to do it to the detriment of the depth of the other positions.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

You can pretty much place a bet in Vegas that Davis will miss a chunk of the season with injuries. I'd take Shepard over him.

I'm leaning that way as well. But I still don't think Shepherd is as hot of a commodity as we all might think and getting him to the PS isn't out of the question. He is a rookie UDFA with limited film and at 5'10" is probably only going to be a slot receiver, which by now, most teams have 1-2 of that they too are deciding about.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

And the #9 O lineman - who you'd likely never want to see on the field- will?

I'm not convinced the Packers will keep nine offensive linemen either but it's more likely that a player at the bottom of the OL depth chart has an impact than the seventh or eighth wide receiver.

Sounds like Davis was back at practice and looked pretty good. But yes, his propensity for injuries concerns me as well.

David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Bryan Bulaga, Lane Taylor, Alex Light, Lucas Patrick, Justin McCray

True, I forgot about Davis being back at practice. I'm not absolutely sure Patrick and McCray will make the final roster.

 

[GleefulGary]

Unfortunately NFL players aren't allowed to practice tackling anymore though.
.

Wimm, this just flat out isn't true.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm not absolutely sure Patrick and McCray will make the final roster.

I just threw 9 names out there, that I predict will be kept. Both Patrick and McCray have experience, which I think is more important when slotting backups. Pankey could replace one of those guys. Madison, daBeer and Nijman seem like perfect PS candidates, but not guys I want to see playing anytime soon.

 

[PackerDNA]

Go 2 QB's instead of 3. Maybe 3 TE's instead of 4, and 4 RB/FB's instead of 5. The biggest waste of a roster spot? "Long snapper". You tie up a spot for a guy who doesn't do a thing but snap for kicks. Train another guy or 2 who plays another position and voila! An extra roster spot.

 

[GleefulGary]

Trevor Davis has been very impressive as a WR this camp, and has been special on ST's for a while. His problem is durability. For that reason, I think Shep makes it over Davis.

Adams/Allison/Kumerow/MVS/EQSB/Shep

I would love to keep Davis or Lazard, but idk. My other conundrum is I feel Allison and Kumerow are two of our top 4, but they're also redundant players in my mind. I don't love that, but I think they need to keep both. I wish we weren't going to keep 4 TE's.

CB is another really good battle. Sullivan, and Hollman are both playing well. Tony Brown is a lock.