Roster predictions

[thequick12]

I might have this wrong, but I don’t think that Rollins has ever returned a punt in a college or real NFL game. I heard he didn’t look so good at it last night. Furthermore, I would argue that he offers even less to the defense than Davis offers to the offense.

ST is never ****, but a good punt return game can make a really big impact. I wouldn’t want to sacrifice all potential in that facet just to cut Davis. I’d rather they keep 7 receivers.

I think they keep 7 wrs but I don't think Davis will be one of them.
Davantae Adams, Randall Cobb, Gmo, and
jmon Moore
EQ
MVS
Kumerow

 

[Dantés]

I think they keep 7 wrs but I don't think Davis will be one of them.
Davantae Adams, Randall Cobb, Gmo, and
jmon Moore
EQ
MVS
Kumerow

So who do you think returns punts?

 

[gopkrs]

Personally, I don't care who returns punts. I agree with others (I think) that we can find someone that won't fumble the ball and so will do as well as Davis.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

So who do you think returns punts?

The guy who stands about 50 yards back from the line of scrimmage when the other team is punting the ball.

Based on history and how long they were willing to hang on to Janis just for his special teams play, Davis, who is probably a better WR than Janis was, which isn't saying much, will get the job. All that goes out the window though if one of the young guys lights it up in one of the next 3 games.

 

[SD Cheesehead]

Rodgers apparently thinks otherwise. He would probably know best.

Rodgers likes him cuz he’s where he’s supposed to be and makes the catches he should. Is that good? Yes. Does he have much upside other than a possession receiver? No? Is he older? Yes. Will he provide help on special teams? No. Gutes the one who has to look at the big picture and I bet the young high upside guys he drafted have the upper hand. Honestly any injury or two probably shakes out some of these problems, but I feel like my last roster prediction is our best case scenario.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Kumero may very well be the next Max McCaffrey. I think everyone was excited about McCaffrey around this time last year, but he ended up getting cut. He ended up in New Orleans, then Jacksonville, back to Green Bay and now is in San Francisco. Sometimes guys who shine in practice and preseason games, just aren't regular season game day guys. In 2 years in the NFL...McCaffrey has one catch for 4 yards.

We have all heard this story before when it comes to WR's....great camp and preseason and then really not much after that...

Diondre Borel, Tori Gurley, Jeff Janis, Jared Abbrederis, Geronimo Allison, Jarrett Boykin, Myles White, Brett Swain, Chastin West, Ruvell Martin, Charles Lee, and the list goes on and on.

Maybe this year we will finally hear from one of them, Allison?

 

[7thFloorRA]

Rodgers likes him cuz he’s where he’s supposed to be and makes the catches he should. Is that good? Yes. Does he have much upside other than a possession receiver? No? Is he older? Yes. Will he provide help on special teams? No. Gutes the one who has to look at the big picture and I bet the young high upside guys he drafted have the upper hand. Honestly any injury or two probably shakes out some of these problems, but I feel like my last roster prediction is our best case scenario.

He has very good speed and absolutely can contribute on ST. He isn't making this team as a WR alone....if he makes it you better believe he will be one of the gunners.

 

[Mondio]

Jeesh.....I mean I have heard a lot of excuses in my days but this is the first I have heard:

"Forgive me, my wife dropped a can of beans and now I have gas"

Forgetting Aaron Rodgers is still your Quarterback has probably far surpassed brain fart status.

 

[Mondio]

Kumero may very well be the next Max McCaffrey. I think everyone was excited about McCaffrey around this time last year, but he ended up getting cut. He ended up in New Orleans, then Jacksonville, back to Green Bay and now is in San Francisco. Sometimes guys who shine in practice and preseason games, just aren't regular season game day guys. In 2 years in the NFL...McCaffrey has one catch for 4 yards.

We have all heard this story before when it comes to WR's....great camp and preseason and then really not much after that...

Diondre Borel, Tori Gurley, Jeff Janis, Jared Abbrederis, Geronimo Allison, Jarrett Boykin, Myles White, Brett Swain, Chastin West, Ruvell Martin, Charles Lee, and the list goes on and on.

Maybe this year we will finally hear from one of them, Allison?

McCaffrey never did anything for me. He didn't even look Brett Swain level to me at any point. More name than anything. Boykin did have a decent rookie season and he showed stuff in the preseason. He just followed it up with a complete Dud and looked like crap. I don't think Kumerow is going to be some Donald Driver in the making and he still has a ways to go to make the roster. Only so many spots to go around and I can't help feel that his ceiling is rather limited compared to others on the roster. That said, if he keeps getting open and catching the ball, he's going to be hard to cut.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

McCaffrey never did anything for me. He didn't even look Brett Swain level to me at any point. More name than anything. Boykin did have a decent rookie season and he showed stuff in the preseason. He just followed it up with a complete Dud and looked like crap. I don't think Kumerow is going to be some Donald Driver in the making and he still has a ways to go to make the roster. Only so many spots to go around and I can't help feel that his ceiling is rather limited compared to others on the roster. That said, if he keeps getting open and catching the ball, he's going to be hard to cut.

Agreed. I am sure a very telling thing to the coaches is how these guys do in practices against the starting CB's. Shining in a preseason game against guys who will probably be unemployed in a few weeks is a lot easier than doing it against starting caliber CB's. For instance, Kumerow had a bad start to Thursday nights game, I assume he was being covered by some better quality players. His best plays came towards the latter part of the game.

It's going to be a very interesting battle at the WR position, 3 drafted and promising rookies, Kumerow and Davis all battling for probably 3, maybe 4 spots. Having Graham on the team IMO makes carrying 7 WR's a bit silly, but they may just not want to part with one of those 5 guys and end up keeping 7.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

In my roster I threw Donnerson at ILB only because I see a few of our OLB’s being used inside once in awhile due to the lack of ILB depth. Clay could move inside, Donnerson to show some pass rush, and if Beigel doesn’t start showing something maybe he would be a good option. After last night

The Packers should rather use players that have lined up at the position before at inside linebacker. The defense doesn't benefit from moving Matthews there as he's average at it at best and Pettine doesn't have another edge rusher being capable of adequately replacing him there.

Can't Rollins function as a returner? I know he was **** poor yesterday, but given his youth I see them keeping him over House tbf. This would also make room for Davis to be cut and MVS to be added. Moore to be stashed on the PS.

In my opinion Rollins doesn't possess the speed to be successful returning punts.

So who are the locks?

QB: Rodgers (1)
RB: Jones, Williams, Montgomery, Ripkowski (4)
TE: Graham, Lewis (2)
WR: Adams, Cobb, Allison (3)
OT: Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Murphy (3)
OG: Taylor, McCray (2)
OC: Linsley, Patrick (2)
DL: Daniels, Clark, Wilkerson, Lowry, Adams (5)
ILB: Martinez, Burks (2)
OLB: Matthews, Perry, Gilbert (3)
CB: Williams, King, Alexander, Jackson (4)
S: Clinton-Dix, Brice, Jones, Evans, Whitehead (5)
ST: Crosby, Scott, Bradley (3)
Total: 39

I'm surpised you consider Murphy, Gilbert, Evans and Whitehead as well to a lesser extent Allison locks to make the roster.

I think you may see a new back up qb. Rollins has no chance as I think Alexander returns

I highly doubt the Packers will risk Alexander getting injured returning punts.

I also put Beigel at MLB because I haven’t seen a thing out of him at OLB and think he could be useful at MLB and occasionally coming around the edge.

I have a hard time understanding why that many fans are in favor of moving edge rushers inside.

You don't keep a guy who has almost no value as a WR because he's a decent returner. Only the very best returners merit a roster spot for that alone. Davis isn't one of those guys.

Davis was one of the best punt returners in the league last year. Every team keeps players solely based on their performance on special teams on the roster.

That's one of those bridges you cross when you get to it.

Personally, I don't care who returns punts. I agree with others (I think) that we can find someone that won't fumble the ball and so will do as well as Davis.

That's not a smart way to handle roster decisions.

Kumero may very well be the next Max McCaffrey. I think everyone was excited about McCaffrey around this time last year, but he ended up getting cut. He ended up in New Orleans, then Jacksonville, back to Green Bay and now is in San Francisco. Sometimes guys who shine in practice and preseason games, just aren't regular season game day guys. In 2 years in the NFL...McCaffrey has one catch for 4 yards.

We have all heard this story before when it comes to WR's....great camp and preseason and then really not much after that...

Diondre Borel, Tori Gurley, Jeff Janis, Jared Abbrederis, Geronimo Allison, Jarrett Boykin, Myles White, Brett Swain, Chastin West, Ruvell Martin, Charles Lee, and the list goes on and on.

Maybe this year we will finally hear from one of them, Allison?

Rodgers hasn't gone out of his way to praise one of the other receivers you mentioned if I remember correctly though.

For instance, Kumerow had a bad start to Thursday nights game, I assume he was being covered by some better quality players. His best plays came towards the latter part of the game.

While Kumerow didn't have any receptions early the quarterbacks were partly to blame for it not throwing catchable balls when targeting him.

 

[rodell330]

The Packers shouldn't risk Alexander or Cobb getting injured while returning punts. Valdes-Scantling didn't return a single punt in college there it's close to impossible to have him being efficient in that role this season. Like it or not, Davis will make the roster solely based on his performance on special teams.

That’s why they can let Monty return Kicks and punts. I think Cobb can return punts and be just fine.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I think Cobb can return punts and be just fine.

With limited quality depth at wide receiver the Packers won't risk Cobb getting injured on punt returns.

 

[BrokenArrow]

I’m just asking you who you think it would be.

Maybe MVS?

 

[BrokenArrow]

Rodgers likes him cuz he’s where he’s supposed to be and makes the catches he should. Is that good? Yes. Does he have much upside other than a possession receiver? No? Is he older? Yes.

So what? He's only 26. Age isn't an issue. And there's nothing wrong with possession receivers. It's a role every team needs. Those are your chain-movers.

 

[Jerellh528]

With limited quality depth at wide receiver the Packers won't risk Cobb getting injured on punt returns.

I dunno, I think the risk is worth is vs the reward. How often do we have a punt returner get injured on a punt return? I don’t know the data and I could be wrong, but I don’t see many punt returners get injured on a return. I don’t consider it anymore risk for injury than a normal reception. Cobb is smart, he would fair catch if he was about to be smashed.

 

[Dantés]

The Packers should rather use players that have lined up at the position before at inside linebacker. The defense doesn't benefit from moving Matthews there as he's average at it at best and Pettine doesn't have another edge rusher being capable of adequately replacing him there.



In my opinion Rollins doesn't possess the speed to be successful returning punts.

I'm surpised you consider Murphy, Gilbert, Evans and Whitehead as well to a lesser extent Allison locks to make the roster.

I highly doubt the Packers will risk Alexander getting injured returning punts.

I have a hard time understanding why that many fans are in favor of moving edge rushers inside.

Davis was one of the best punt returners in the league last year. Every team keeps players solely based on their performance on special teams on the roster.

That's not a smart way to handle roster decisions.

Rodgers hasn't gone out of his way to praise one of the other receivers you mentioned if I remember correctly though.

While Kumerow didn't have any receptions early the quarterbacks were partly to blame for it not throwing catchable balls when targeting him.

Murphy is the best backup tackle on the roster. Evans is a special teams stalwart and they let Janis leave. Whitehead is a valuable backup to the defense. Allison seems locked into the 3rd wide receiver spot. So I’m confident on those guys.

Gilbert as a lock is probably too strong. He just seems to have shown out as the 3rd best pass rusher so far.

 

[Dantés]

Maybe MVS?

They haven’t tried him there and he never did it in college. He doesn’t profile as the type.

I’m not trying to be contrarian. I’m just pointing out that if you cut Davis, it creates an issue.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Maybe MVS?

MVS didn't even return a single punt in college. He's not a viable option entering this season.

I dunno, I think the risk is worth is vs the reward. How often do we have a punt returner get injured on a punt return? I don’t know the data and I could be wrong, but I don’t see many punt returners get injured on a return. I don’t consider it anymore risk for injury than a normal reception. Cobb is smart, he would fair catch if he was about to be smashed.

NFL players definitely get more often injured on returns, don't know specifically about the returner though. Nevertheless the Packers have been reluctant to have starters be the primary returner and I don't expect that to change this season. In addition Cobb has only returned two punts over the past five years.

Murphy is the best backup tackle on the roster.

I believe the Packers still consider Spriggs to be the best backup tackle on the roster.

 

[Dantés]

MVS didn't even return a single punt in college. He's not a viable option entering this season.



NFL players definitely get more often injured on returns, don't know specifically about the returner though. Nevertheless the Packers have been reluctant to have starters be the primary returner and I don't expect that to change this season. In addition Cobb has only returned two punts over the past five years.



I believe the Packers still consider Spriggs to be the best backup tackle on the roster.

Maybe so. He’ll have to prove that. I still consider Murphy a lock for the 53.

 

[OldSchool101]

So who do you think returns punts?

I’m not contending he’s an immediate answer. But I’d like to see what J’aire Alexander could do competing at PR. He’s had a 10 yard average in college with a fair sample size of 43 returns. He’s got the swagger that I think a returner position mentally demands. Think Desmond Howard types here.

Alexander and his sub 4.4 speed ranked 5th in the ACC in yards per punt return in consecutive years (2015-2016)
Maybe under the tutelage of the right coach and system he could be our answer.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Ideally, I would love to see Davis become an improved WR, then it becomes a no brainer who returns punts. I don't think there is any question right now that Davis is the best "proven" punt returner on the team. He only keeps his roster spot if he becomes a better WR or nobody else, that is a better backup at a position, shows he can be just as good or better at returning punts.

 

[OldSchool101]

Ideally, I would love to see Davis become an improved WR, then it becomes a no brainer who returns punts. I don't think there is any question right now that Davis is the best "proven" punt returner on the team. He only keeps his roster spot if he becomes a better WR or nobody else, that is a better backup at a position, shows he can be just as good or better at returning punts.

Yeah. I’m in agreement. I think we keep Davis as the #8 WR

 

[Dantés]

I’m not contending he’s an immediate answer. But I’d like to see what J’aire Alexander could do competing at PR. He’s had a 10 yard average in college with a fair sample size of 43 returns. He’s got the swagger that I think a returner position mentally demands. Think Desmond Howard types here.

Alexander and his sub 4.4 speed ranked 5th in the ACC in yards per punt return in consecutive years (2015-2016)
Maybe under the tutelage of the right coach and system he could be our answer.

I don’t doubt that Alexander can do it. I’m just hesitant to expose him on PR duty when I expect him to be so valuable to the defense.

I read thag he and Moore both took snaps and both muffed a ball.

 

[OldSchool101]

I don’t doubt that Alexander can do it. I’m just hesitant to expose him on PR duty when I expect him to be so valuable to the defense.

I read thag he and Moore both took snaps and both muffed a ball.

Hopefully you’re right. I’m hoping he is the answer at starting perimeter CB so we don’t have to find out what his return skills look like.