Green Bay, Wisconsin — On Saturday, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-10 in their preseason opener. On the third play from scrimmage, Jordan Love found Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard touchdown, giving the Packers the lead that they would never lose.
Let us attempt the first of three 53-man roster projections with two preseason games remaining against the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, as well as a roster cutdown day in two weeks on Tuesday.
Offense
Quarterback (3): Jordan Love, Sean Clifford, Michael Pratt
After a difficult start to camp, Clifford has recovered well, and on Saturday, he produced some outstanding throws. I believe he ends up getting the backup position, even if Pratt could be too valuable to be waived. Every year, there are preseason standouts who we predict will not be claimed, but a promising rookie quarterback is not the same as a running back or wide receiver at the bottom of the depth chart, such as Grant DuBose or Emanuel Wilson. Wilson’s 23-yard touchdown run was blocked by Pratt, who might earn a spot on the roster by himself. Since 2020, when they maintained Tim Boyle, Aaron Rodgers, and Love as backup quarterbacks because they were unable to place Love on waivers despite his ineptitude, the Packers have not kept three quarterbacks.
Released: None
Running back (3): Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon, MarShawn Lloyd
Even though a sizable portion of the fan base wants Wilson to start over Dillon, I would be shocked if he does. Wilson was one of the stars of Saturday’s victory and was a member of the 53-man roster the previous season. Wilson’s only chance of making the starting 53 would be if Lloyd’s hamstring injury is severe enough to put him on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of the season and force him to miss the first four games.
Released: Emanuel Wilson, Ellis Merriweather, Jarveon Howard
Wide receiver (6): Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Grant DuBose
In addition to his pass-catching prowess, DuBose has an advantage against Malik Heath and Samori Toure since he demonstrated on Saturday that he is not scared to get his nose dirty as a blocker. Heath’s inclusion on the 53 out of camp last season was partly due to that, but now that he is healthy for the entire preseason after missing some of it, DuBose is demonstrating his abilities in both areas. Instead of watching DuBose, Heath, and Toure as pass catchers, pay attention to what they perform as blockers and on special teams. Their pursuit of a roster spot will be more aided by their former skill set.
Released: Malik Heath, Samori Toure, Jalen Wayne, Julian Hicks, Dimitri Stanley
Tight end (4): Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Tyler Davis, Ben Sims
With regard to who makes and does not make the 53-man roster, the Packers are hoping that this group is a solid mix of pass catchers and blockers.
Released: Joel Wilson, Messiah Swinson
Offensive line (9): Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk, Andre Dillard, Kadeem Telfort
For the time being, Dillard gets the nod because he led the battle at swing tackle amongst himself, Telfort, and Caleb Jones by starting the game at right tackle against the Browns. Jones might take the spot of the seasoned player who has been traded around since Philadelphia selected him in the first round five years ago if that were to happen. The Packers need more bodies at tackle on the bench, and Telfort beats out Royce Newman since Rhyan and Monk already offer depth on the inside.
Released: Caleb Jones, Royce Newman, Travis Glover, Luke Tenuta, Donovan Jennings, Lecitus Smith
Defense
Defensive tackle (5): Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden
This place does not have much to see. In this group, the top five from the previous year will once again be the top five in 2024.
Released: Jonathan Ford, James Ester, Spencer Waege
Defense drops him for the SACK!#GBvsCLE pic.twitter.com/c4TVM5zhoh
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 10, 2024
Defensive end (5): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr.
Van Ness, who brought his reliable camp performances to Cleveland with a sack, two tackles for loss against the run, and pressure that resulted in a sack by Wooden, has improved more than anyone from the previous season. As a first-round rookie pick, he may not have played much last season, but the Packers like to slow fry their edge defenders, as we saw with Gary when the team selected him at No. 12 in 2019.
Released: Arron Mosby, Keshawn Banks, Deslin Alexandre, Brevin Allen, Zach Morton
Linebacker (5): Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper
Due to injuries incurred throughout camp, players like Cooper and cornerback Carrington Valentine have missed a significant amount of time. As a result, it is possible that they start the season on PUP in order to clear a position on the roster for another player. They will remain in this projection for the time being. But while he was healthy, the rookie second-round pick had not been able to displace experienced special teamer Wilson or McDuffie, so it looks like the talented Cooper will have to wait his turn for defensive snaps when he comes back.
Released: Kristian Welch, Christian Young, Ralen Goforth
Cornerback (5): Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Kalen King
The hardest decision made during this entire exercise was to leave out Corey Ballentine, who performed effectively as a backup last season and seems to be ahead of King in the nickel depth chart. King likely has greater upside because he played the second-most defensive snaps on the club on Saturday. The Packers may re-sign Ballentine to the practice squad and hope King can live up to the expectations of being a first-round pick in 2022 before he decided to stay at Penn State. They can also deploy safety Javon Bullard at the nickel.
Released: Corey Ballentine, Robert Rochell, LJ Davis, Gemon Green
Safety (5): Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Anthony Johnson Jr., Kitan Oladapo
Who will start beside McKinney is more of a question than who will make the squad. The first three players listed may get the chance to play simultaneously, but Bullard and Williams seem to be in a tight struggle. While the latter caused a fumble for his fifth turnover since camp began, the former started on Saturday.
Released: Zayne Anderson, Tyler Coyle, Benny Sapp III
Fumble recovery for the @Packers to start the 2nd half!
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
📱: Stream #GBvsCLE on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Y6qMB5JBSy
Special teams
Kicker (1): Anders Carlson
During camp, has Greg Joseph made more field goals? Indeed. On Saturday, did his balls look cleaner? Indeed. However, I imagine that Rich Bisaccia, the special teams coordinator, will feel he can save another Carlson career after a difficult first campaign, and the Packers will feel there is still unrealized potential in Carlson. From what we have observed during open practices, he does not appear to be far behind Joseph either.
Released: Greg Joseph, Alex Hale
Punter (1): Daniel Whelan
You witnessed why he has been unopposed in camp on his opening punt on Saturday. It sailed 51 yards and hung in the air for just under five seconds before the Browns brought it back for barely three yards. Whelan’s punting performance has satisfied head coach Matt LaFleur.
Long snapper (1): Matt Orzech
Even though the Packers cut and re-signed undrafted rookie Peter Bowden, I believe Orzech’s position is rather secure.
Released: Peter Bowden
Notably, defensive end Kenneth Odumegwu of the Packers is free from roster restrictions due to his participation in the International Player Pathway Program. As such, he will probably be kept on the practice squad following cutdown day as the 70th player.
(Photo of Grant DuBose: Scott Galvin / USA Today)
