Tracking the 2023 Green Bay Roster

[OldSchool101]

I was hoping the Packers would be able to snag TE Albert Okwuegbunam from Denver. The Eagles swooped in and traded a 6th rounder for him, before he was cut. Hopefully, Sims works out, but seems more like a place card as the #4 TE, for now. Sims is probably a better fit as a blocking TE, but Okwuegbunam was improving as a blocker and definitely more experienced.

I believe we’ll have 3-4 added draft compensatory selections again in 2024 and it gets redundant having all these late round players added each year. We could easily trade a 6th or 7th because we should have 2 each anyways (due to compensatory adds). If it were me I’d use one to get a player I wanted that has some experience (such as a veteran TE). Maybe it’s too late for the correct fit, but I like that move by Philly.

 

[milani]

I couldn't have said it better than @tynimiller. Keeping all of those guys just makes sense in a salary cap world. Every roster has below to average players on them. Smith is the largest chunk of that $11 million you speak of and that $11 million equates to 5% of the total cap. I'm more concerned with the $59 million of dead money and the dead money that the Packers would take by cutting Smith.

All the players you mentioned make sense to keep on the roster and most of them are on the cheap.

There are very few things worse than dead money except maybe the foolish contracts that produce it.

 

[OldSchool101]

Grant DuBose / Kadeem Telfort / Innis Gaines / Kiondre Thomas and Benny sapp signed to PS also

That game sealing INT for Benny might be the play that propels his career. Let’s hope he’s the next Rasul.
They’ve invested in Innis and Kiondre Thomas has looked good in camp. Obviusky Dubose missed time but being a draft pick he’s already a team favorite.
Kadeem Telfort is the one guy I have zero clue about good or bad.

 

[tynimiller]

That game sealing INT for Benny might be the play that propels his career. Let’s hope he’s the next Rasul.
They’ve invested in Innis and Kiondre Thomas has looked good in camp. Obviusky Dubose missed time but being a draft pick he’s already a team favorite.
Kadeem Telfort is the one guy I have zero clue about good or bad.

Telfort is a mountain! Project similar to a Caleb Jones…

 

[Schultz]

Totally worth it and then some. How many 2023 UDFA's are even on teams right now? How many of them will have much of an impact, if any? He made the 53 and if he gets out there and contributes, it is all gravy from here on out.

Had to do a little research B4 I post this. This was actually shocking to read. It is from 2019, but guessing the stats haven't variated a ton. 30 of NFL rosters being made up of UDFA's? If it is correct, way higher than I would have guessed.

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Great stuff. A couple of questions. Not expecting an answer since, well you know.
Are those numbers
1. including practice squad? My guess is no, but have to ask.
2. Are those opening day or final day numbers? My guess is opening day, but have to ask.

 

[Schultz]

I think the cap has a lot to do with this. A lot of teams find themselves stretching the cap, and need to jettison mid-range contracts for minimum contracts to make up the difference. They're hopeful they can find enough talent in that group that it will make up a fairly sizeable amount of talent they lose, in the guys they're forced to cut.

There is where I believe the salary cap needs to change. Front loading contracts as heavily as they do, it removes a lot of players from teams that shouldn't be lost. Idiotic decisions, like the money thrown at a guy who shall remain unnamed is a prime example. Two years of battling cap hits, and not being able to shore up weak spots is too much of a hit.

The problem is, there's always some idiotic GM out there that thinks some guy is worth an enormous amount of money, because he's going to fly in like Underdog and "Save the Day!"

Just wondering, who is at fault in the above scenario. The guy who shall remain unnamed or the front office? Asking for a friend.

 

[milani]

That game sealing INT for Benny might be the play that propels his career. Let’s hope he’s the next Rasul.
They’ve invested in Innis and Kiondre Thomas has looked good in camp. Obviusky Dubose missed time but being a draft pick he’s already a team favorite.
Kadeem Telfort is the one guy I have zero clue about good or bad.

I believe he will get on the field this year. Secondary is a place historically for Packer injuries.

 

[OldSchool101]

Just wondering, who is at fault in the above scenario. The guy who shall remain unnamed or the front office? Asking for a friend.

Sometimes things just happen for the best long term for everyone. I’ll fully admit it doesn’t always appear that way at first.

Wouldn’t it be something if somehow both teams made it to an NFC and AFC game or hit the league talking potential SB meeting. This isn’t bad stuff, it’s the kinda stuff that life deals and it can actually be good for the sport and good for the players and staff.

Regardless it makes a great debate in the meantime. I don’t see that as bad I don’t think you do either but maybe I’m wrong

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Great stuff. A couple of questions. Not expecting an answer since, well you know.
Are those numbers
1. including practice squad? My guess is no, but have to ask.
2. Are those opening day or final day numbers? My guess is opening day, but have to ask.

That was all I saw on it, the Tweet that said 30%. I'd like to know more too, but I suspect PS is included, since they are paid to be on the team and some end up spending time on the active roster.

I did find this. Last season 56 UDFA's survived the cuts. So there again, that leads me to believe the PS players have to be include to boost it up to 30%.

List Of Undrafted Free Agents Who Made Team

Hundreds of undrafted free agents are signed to NFL rosters every year, and every year there are a handful who beat the odds to make the team and go on to contribute during the season.

nfltraderumors.co

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just wondering, who is at fault in the above scenario. The guy who shall remain unnamed or the front office? Asking for a friend.

I think it happens to teams that feel that they are on the precipice of winning a SB. They spend more on high end free agents and try to retain key veterans. Worked for the Rams, but they fell off that precipice as quickly as they climbed it.

The Packers did a pretty good job of straddling it, if you ask me.

 

[Schultz]

That was all I saw on it, the Tweet that said 30%. I'd like to know more too, but I suspect PS is included, since they are paid to be on the team and some end up spending time on the active roster.

I did find this. Last season 56 UDFA's survived the cuts. So there again, that leads me to believe the PS players have to be include to boost it up to 30%.

List Of Undrafted Free Agents Who Made Team

Hundreds of undrafted free agents are signed to NFL rosters every year, and every year there are a handful who beat the odds to make the team and go on to contribute during the season.

nfltraderumors.co

Thanks. So just under 2 per team. That makes a lot more sense. My guess is final weekend numbers would be a little higher due to guys from the practice squad replacing injured players through out the season.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sounds like the Packers put a waiver claim in on WR Elijah Higgins, as did several other teams. The Cardinals ended up with him due to priority. Had they gotten him, makes me wonder if they would have carried 7 WR's or one of Malik Heath, Samori Toure or Dontayvion Wicks would have been gone?

SIDE NOTE:

Waiver wire priority is another aspect of the NFL that is interesting. I'm not a big fan of setting the order in stone, based on the teams record from last season. Would prefer that they process it like the draft. Which would be once the first team (this year the Bears) takes a player off of waivers, the Texans (2nd worst team) gets next crack. If you don't take the player, you keep your spot in priority for the next player waived. If you grab a player, you move to 32nd in priority for the next player waived.

I get it, they are trying to make the NFL competitive by propping up the worst teams, but they already get that through the draft.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Thanks. So just under 2 per team. That makes a lot more sense. My guess is final weekend numbers would be a little higher due to guys from the practice squad replacing injured players through out the season.

Yup and as the season rolls on, original rosters get thinner and suddenly an UDFA that was selling cars in September, is asked to come back to the team to suit up in December.

 

[Schultz]

I think it happens to teams that feel that they are on the precipice of winning a SB. They spend more on high end free agents and try to retain key veterans. Worked for the Rams, but they fell off that precipice as quickly as they climbed it.

The Packers did a pretty good job of straddling it, if you ask me.

I wonder if they regret straddling it? They did not get that 2nd Superbowl in the AR era, they are in the inevitable rebuild, makes one wonder what if they went all in at one point?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I wonder if they regret straddling it? They did not get that 2nd Superbowl in the AR era, they are in the inevitable rebuild, makes one wonder what if they went all in at one point?

They won't regret it, if they can keep their team at the top 90% of the NFL for another 15 years. Let's face it, besides having a great roster, there is some luck involved in winning a SB. You have to stay relatively injury free and your schedule, regular season and playoffs, can have a lot to do with it. There were a few years there where the Packers had the horses to make it to a SB, but ended up facing a team that just seemed to have their number (Tampa Bay, San Fran, Sea Hawks).

Yes, the Packers have had almost 30 years of back to back HOF QB's playing, but I think the GM's (Wolf, TT, Gute) and head coaches (Holmgren, McCarthy, MLF) involved during that time, had a lot to do with their success. Only 2 SB wins, but there aren't a lot of teams that can even say that over the last 30 years.

Personally, I love Championships (Packers and Bucks as of late), but I think I would take multiple successful seasons, over a 1 win SB and nothing but bad teams for the next 10-30 years (See Chicago Bears).

 

[Schultz]

FTR I am not a SB or bust guy. As I have stated when disagreeing with you about playing Love over Rodgers late last year I like wins. IMO though there has to be a time when you just say "what the flock and go for it just as much as there's a time to rebuild. Also in my opinion they are currently doing the latter without ever really doing the former. Also FTR I have thoroughly enjoyed these last 30 yrs.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

FTR I am not a SB or bust guy. As I have stated when disagreeing with you about playing Love over Rodgers late last year I like wins. IMO though there has to be a time when you just say "what the flock and go for it just as much as there's a time to rebuild. Also in my opinion they are currently doing the latter without ever really doing the former. Also FTR I have thoroughly enjoyed these last 30 yrs.

FTR, as it turns out, benching Rodgers and playing Love would have ended up being the smarter move last season. I would have viewed that as a "WTF, lets go for it in 2023, we aren't going anywhere this season." Some fans might have viewed what the Packers did as "WTF, lets play all the starters, we might pull off a miracle!" I just don't think that team was set up to be SB bound.

I agree with you that the Packers probably don't win 4 out of their last 5 last season had they benched Rodgers, but they may have won a game or 2. More importantly, Love would be much more seasoned and their draft position and waiver wire position might have set them up much better for the future.

 

[milani]

I think it happens to teams that feel that they are on the precipice of winning a SB. They spend more on high end free agents and try to retain key veterans. Worked for the Rams, but they fell off that precipice as quickly as they climbed it.

The Packers did a pretty good job of straddling it, if you ask me.

Denver did well when they got Peyton. Before and after not so good. Even the Vikings got Favre and came close for one year. But before and after.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

Tariq doesn't surprise me either.

I'm never a fan of the 'hybrid' Safety/ILB. I was surprised he wasn't part of the original cuts.

 

[gopkrs]

I am impressed with Love's interviews. He is articulate and handling each question very well. I think it was better for him (in retrospect) to take over the reins so as to start the season as opposed to playing the end of last year. A lot of continuity this way. And a lot less bumping into ARod.

 

[Poppa San]

Kristian Welch added to PS

https://www.si.com/nfl/packers/transactions/packers-sign-proven-special-teams-standout

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sounds like the Packers tried to sign Tariq Carpenter to the PS, but he decided to sign with another team. Can't find who that team is though.

 

[OldSchool101]

Sounds like the Packers tried to sign Tariq Carpenter to the PS, but he decided to sign with another team. Can't find who that team is though.

Interesting. I guess I can’t blame him. I was never overly impressed with him. Matter of fact Oren Burks was a better player in a similar role and he also similarly never took off. Nothing personal, but Tariq was pretty expendable, and I’d almost rather take a chance on someone else anyway.

I feel about him like you feel about Dexter Buster Williams or whatever his name was.

 

[Poppa San]

Ben Sims - rookie TE out of Baylor (RAS 8.39) with good size and explosiveness. From Vikings 6'5' 258lbs

"The 6-5, 250-pound Sims went undrafted out of Baylor this past spring. He comes to the NFL with ample blocking experience and recorded one of the faster 40 yard dash times at the tight end position during the pre-draft process as well, running a 4.58 at his Pro-Day—which is actually faster than what Luke Musgrave posted at the NFL Combine, running a 4.61."
https://packerswire.usatoday.com/20...them&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

If he's even just competent at receiving envision:
3rd and inches at midfield on a score or go home drive. Sims, Musgrave, Kraft lined up tight with Jones & Dillon in backfield. Sims, Musgrave, Jones then split wide for deep crosser or go routes.

 

[Poppa San]

Sims was originally UDFA. Does he now make it the 4th Packer UDFA or is he just a waiver wire pickup?