Here are the competitions at each position as I see them:
Quarterback (2): I think you're realistically talking about two guys at this position. Hundley and Kizer are likely competing for one job. Given that Kizer was about as good as Hundley as a rookie in a worse situation, I would think he has to be the favorite. While he is not as athletically talented as Hundley, he came out of Notre Dame as a much more advanced passer with more arm talent.
My Guess: Rodgers, Kizer (2)
Running Back (4-5): Jones, Williams and Montgomery may be internally competing for primacy on the depth chart, but I don't think any of them are in danger of not making the roster. I think Jones is an easy favorite to win the lead role, with Williams being a change of pace with Montgomery capable of being a backup to either role. Joe Kerridge and Aaron Ripkowski will again be competing for the FB role and it will likely come down to who offers more on ST. The real competition here will be Devante Mays against himself-- can he make good on his talent and so force them to carry another back? I would think that the practice squad is his realistic destination.
My Guess: Jones, Williams, Montgomery, Ripkowski (4)
Tight End (2-3): It's hard for me to imagine that they would only carry two tight ends, but it's also hard to see a 3rd guy who's a shoe in for the 53 man roster. Graham and Kendricks are obvious. Unless they sign a veteran (which I would like), then Emanuel Byrd, Kevin Rader, Ryan Smith, and Robert Tonyan will be fighting for one spot. I have no idea who should have an edge in that group; frankly, I hope they sign someone. But if I was going to pick someone, Tonyan is easily the best athlete of the group as a former WR. A blocker would be nice, but I don't see any of these undrafted guys coming in and blocking NFL defensive ends, so I'll give the nod to the developmental project.
My Guess: Graham, Kendricks, Tonyan (3)
Wide Receiver (6-7): Adams and Cobb have their roles completely sewn up as the X and slot receivers respectively. The flanker position is up for grabs, but I would guess that Allison has a pretty sizable head start as his competition, while talented, is young and raw. Trevor Davis is on the roster, IMO, unless someone emerges to take his PR job. That would leave 2-3 spots up for grabs between Moore, Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown, Clark, and Yancey. I think Moore and St. Brown have the best chance due to draft status and pro system experience respectively. The team might be compelled into keeping seven guys if enough of the rookies or 2nd year players are too good to let go. One of the guys at the end of the line could make a strong case by emerging as a gunner on punt/kick coverage.
My Guess: Adams, Cobb, Allison, Davis, Moore, St. Brown, Valdes-Scantling (7)
Offensive Line (8-9): The tackles are all safe on the roster considering Bulaga's injury, with the major battle likely being between Murphy and Spriggs to see who will start to open the season. Bakhtiari, Taylor and Linsley have their spots locked down but RG may be a competition between McCray and Madison. Of the undrafted guys, Austin Davis seems like the most talented with the most potential to push for a roster spot. Patrick's replacement at Duke, Davis might challenge to become Patrick's replacement on the Packers. Kofi Amichia is a dark horse to compete for a 53 man spot if he takes a good step forward in year two.
My Guess: Bakhtiari, Bulaga, Spriggs, Murphy, Taylor, McCray, Madison, Linsley, Patrick (9)
Defensive Line (5-6): The majority of this unit seems all but decided. Clark, Daniels, Wilkerson, and Lowry are making this roster and will have roles on the defense. It would be highly unusual to cut a 3rd round pick in year two, so I think it's safe to assume that Montravius Adams is the backup at 3T. My guess is that Pettine will want depth on the DL as he has used them pretty heavily in previous tenures. James Looney, Tyler Lancaster, Filipo Mokofisi, and Conor Sheehy would be the guys competing for that spot. Looney has the edge of being a draft pick, but he projects as a 3T which is already two deep. The NT/1T/Shade role is the one without depth among the top 5, as Clark is essentially it. That would seem to open a door for Lancaster, the 6'3" 313 lb former teammate of Lowry's who many have pegged as the cream of this UDFA crop.
My Guess: Daniels, Adams, Wilkerson, Lowry, Clark, Lancaster (6)
Edge (5-6): Barring a move for a veteran (go sign Robert Ayers, please), this position will once again be counting on young guys to emerge as key rotational piece. After Mattews and Perry, Biegel, Gilbert, Odom, Donnerson, Fackrell, and Hughes will be jockeying for position. Given that they both flashed down the stretch last season, one would think Biegel and Gilbert have the inside track for significant roles, let alone to make the roster. In the 5th spot, I think you're currently going to be weighing Donnerson's talent and upside against Fackrell's ST ability. Personally, I'd rather sign Ayers, stick Donnerson on the practice squad, and cut Fackrell. However, now that Janis is gone, they will have to think carefully about punt coverage when making the final roster decisions.
My Guess: Matthews, Perry, Biegel, Gilbert, Donnerson (5)
Linebacker (3-4): This position probably won't offer much of a competition other than perhaps among the fringe roster guys trying to force the team to keep a 4th option. Martinez is clearly the MIKE, Ryan is his backup, and Burks replaces Thomas a the WILL. Parris Bennett, C.J. Johnson, Ahmad Thomas, Greer Martini, and Marcus Porter are all 1st/2nd year players who will be trying to prove they're roster worthy. I'm betting one or two make the practice squad.
My Guess: Martinez, Ryan, Burks (3)
Cornerback (5-6): The givens as far as the 53 man roster are Williams, King, Alexander, and Jackson. Among themselves, they'll be competing for the three starting roles. I would think that King and Williams will end up outside with Alexander in the slot while Jackson takes a redshirt year to be coached in the nuances of man coverage. Behind those four, the team will undoubtedly carry 1-2 more players. The options are Davon House, Lenzy Pipkins, Josh Hawkins, Donatello Brown, Herb Waters, Demetri Goodson, and Quinten Rollins. My personal hope is that one or more of the young guys show out well enough to make House expendable. Again, look for ST ability to be a big fact for the 5th or 6th spot.
My Guess: Williams, King, Alexander, Jackson, Pipkins, Waters (6)
Safety (4-5): Clinton-Dix, Jones, and Brice are all on the roster. The question is whether Jones can assert himself in camp and take Burnett's old job. The loser of that competition will be the 3rd safety. I like Jones to win out. It's mostly familiar faces behind those guys in Marwin Evans and Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead played more on defense last year, but Evans is a staple of the ST units. Raven Greene, the lone rookie safety on the roster, has gotten a little bit of play from media types and might challenge for one of the last spots on the 53.
My Guess: Clinton-Dix, Jones, Brice, Evans, Whitehead (5)
Add to those groups the three specialists, and there's you (undoubtedly wrong) 53 man roster.
