Projecting the Green Bay Packers 53-Man Roster After the Conclusion of the Preseason

The Green Bay Packers preseason is now over. The team won two of their three games but that no longer matters. What counts now is choosing the best players for the 53-man roster and the 15-man practice squad. Cuts have to be made by Tuesday afternoon and then players can be signed to the practice squad after they clear waivers. GM Brian Gutekunst has some difficult decisions to make. Here is our final projection of the Packers 53-man roster at the conclusion of the preseason.

Projecting the Packers 53 Man Roster: Quarterbacks (2)

Jordan Love and Malik Willis are locks to make the roster. The third quarterback spot should go to Taylor Elgersma over Sean Clifford.  Elgersma has more upside and should make the practice squad as QB3.

Running Backs (3)

The Packers have a lot of talent at this position but still should keep only three players to start the season. Josh Jacobs,  Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks will be the top three. MarShawn Lloyd will start the season on IR with a designation to return as he recovers from a hamstring injury he suffered against the Colts. Amar Johnson and Israel Abanikanda are the most likely duo to earn a spot on the practice squad.

Projecting the Packers 53 Man Roster: Wide Receiver (6)

Keeping this group healthy has been a problem throughout training camp. The team has depth here but will still keep just six players on the active roster to open the season. That won’t include Christian Watson who will start the year on the PUP list. Five players are locks. They are Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, first round pick Matthew Golden, and third rounder Savion Williams.

Malik Heath should earn the final spot because of his blocking ability, edging out Mecole Hardman. The Packers have other options to return kicks and punts, and Hardman just didn’t show enough throughout camp and the preseason to earn the final spot.

The team will likely keep two more receivers on the practice squad. Julian Hicks and Will Sheppard are the leading candidates.

Tight Ends (4)

The question is whether Gutekunst opts to keep three or four tight ends. Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave are sure things and give the team a potentially impressive duo at the position. Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick are the candidates for the third and fourth spots. Both contribute on special teams, and both will earn a roster spot.

Projecting the Packers 53 Man Roster: Offensive Line (9)

The top seven are set but there are a lot of question marks behind them. Zach Tom will start at right tackle with Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan battling for the left tackle spot. Aaron Banks and Sean Rhyan will start at guard with Elgton Jenkins at center. Second-round pick Anthony Belton will make the roster.

After that injuries and inconsistent play create question marks. The Packers likely keep Kadeem Telfort because of his versatility. The team just traded for Darian Kinnard from the Eagles for a 6^th-round pick in 2027, so he likely makes the team. are the likely reserves to make nine. Jacob Monk could start the season on IR. The team may continue to look for depth on the waiver wire after initial cuts.

The Packers will keep at least two, more likely three linemen on the practice squad. Donovan Jennings, Lecitus Smith, and seventh round pick John Williams likely to fill those spots.

Defensive Ends (5)

Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness will be the starters. Barryn Sorrell will also make the roster while Brenton Cox and Kingsley Enagbare add to the rotation. Fifth-round pick Collin Oliver likely starts the season on IR.

Deslin Alexandre and Arron Mosby are the leading candidates to stick on the practice squad.

Projecting the Packers 53 Man Roster: Defensive Tackles (6)

Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt are locks to make the roster. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden continue to show why they deserve spots in the rotation. The Packers will likely keep both sixth round pick Warren Brinson and undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse. They give the team versatility and depth at the position.

Linebackers (5)

Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, and Isaiah McDuffie are locks. Ty’Ron Hopper has made progress in his second training camp with the team. The final spot comes down to a battle between Kristian Welch and Isaiah Simmons. Both players help on special teams so they could try to keep both. If it comes down to one, Welch should get the edge for his consistency. If the Packers needed to play one of them on defense in a pinch, Welch is the better choice. They should pick him over Simmons’ elite athleticism but inconsistent production.

Projecting the Packers 53 Man Roster: Cornerbacks (5)

Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine will be at the top of the depth chart. Bo Melton has been a great story as he switched from wide receiver to cornerback and looked like he’s played the position for years, not weeks. Kalen King has also taken a big step forward.

Kamal Hadden, Corey Ballentine, and seventh-round pick Micah Robinson should stick on the practice squad.

Safeties: (5)

Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams will start with Javon Bullard splitting time between safety and slot. Zayne Anderson likely makes the roster on the strength of his special teams while Kitan Oladapo remains the favorite for the final roster spot.

Omar Brown will land on IR after suffering a lung injury against the Colts. He had a great training camp until that point.

Projecting the Packers 53 Man Roster: Special Teams (3)

The Packers know who their specialists will be. Brandon McManus returns as the kicker. Daniel Whelan is the only punter in camp. Matt Orzech has no competition for long snapper.

The Packers may stash Mark McNamee on the practice squad as their international player.