Depth Chart Prediction: Breaking down what the Packers have on the roster before 2025 regular season opener vs the Lions

The Green Bay Packers finalized roster cuts last week, made some adjustments, but now the 53-man roster is mostly ready for the regular season. Next Sunday, the Packers open their 2025 season against the Detroit Lions in Week 1, their first opener at Lambeau Field since 2018.

Let's dissect the 53-man roster and understand what the depth chart looks like, position by position.

Quarterbacks

• Starter: Jordan Love
• Backup: Malik Willis

The Packers also have new quarterback Clayton Tune on the practice squad if needed.

Running backs

• Starter: Josh Jacobs
• Backups: Chris Brooks, Emanuel Wilson

When all three running backs are available, Chris Brooks will probably play more snaps than Emanuel Wilson. Brooks is a reliable all-around backup, with ability to run with power, pass protect, and play special teams. Wilson is a more explosive runner, though. But Josh Jacobs will be a real bellcow like he was last year.

Wide receivers

• Starters: Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed
• Backups: Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams, Malik Heath
  
  Doubs and Golden are the starters in 21 or 12 personnel, but Jayden Reed also plays in the slot on most of the offensive plays in 11 personnel. Dontayvion Wicks is unofficially listed as a starter over Golden, but a training camp calf injury won't help. The Packers also have veteran Mecole Hardman on the practice squad with a real chance of getting elevated eventually.

Tight ends

• Starter: Tucker Kraft
• Backups: Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick, Ben Sims
  
  Kraft is the obvious starter here, but Luke Musgrave is expected to play a lot as well. Not only rotating with Kraft, but mainly as a co-starter in 12 personnel.

Offensive line

• Left tackle: Rasheed Walker, Jordan Morgan
• Left guard: Aaron Banks, Jordan Morgan, Donovan Jennings
• Center: Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan
• Right guard: Sean Rhyan, Jordan Morgan, Darian Kinnard
• Right tackle: Zach Tom, Anthony Belton, Darian Kinnard
  
  It doesn't sound like Jordan Morgan will be a preferred starter, unless he beats out Rasheed Walker for the left tackle spot. But you can see his importance to the team as a sixth offensive linemen. He may be the top backup for every position except center, and if Elgton Jenkins goes down, Sean Rhyan would replace him, forcing Morgan to play at right guard. Right tackle is a little trickier, though, since Morgan hasn't practiced there this year.

Defensive tackles

• Starters: Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks
• Backups: Colby Wooden, Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse
  
  Trading Kenny Clark has its implications, and the Packers might suffer to stop the run to a certain degree. He was the best run-stuffer interior defensive lineman, after all. Karl Brooks and Colby Wooden will have bigger roles, with Lukas Van Ness potentially moving inside more frequently on passing downs.

Edges

• Starters: Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary
• Backups: Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell
  
  Lukas Van Ness surpassed Kingsley Enagbare and would start for the first time since high school football. Well, that until the Packers pulled off the trade for Parsons. Barryn Sorrell is injured, so he might be out to start the season, albeit being expected to return soon. Arron Mosby and Deslin Alexandre offer depth on the practice squad. Collin Oliver starts the season on PUP, but it would make sense to move him to off-ball linebacker now.
  

Linebackers

• Starters: Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie
• Backups: Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann

Walker and Cooper are the unquestioned starters. In base defense, McDuffie will enter the lineup as well, at least to start the season. Hopper had a great camp and could challenge him for that spot. Niemann was signed last week to play special teams.

Cornerbacks

• Starters: Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs
• Backups: Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Kamal Hadden
  
  This is somewhat questionable. Nixon and Hobbs are the main starters in base, and Valentine could play there too—especially in nickel defense, with Hobbs moving to the slot. However, indications are that the Packers will play Javon Bullard in the slot when everyone is healthy, so Valentine is essentially a rotational player.

Safeties

• Starters: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard
• Backups: Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo
  
  McKinney and Williams are the deep safeties, but Bullard is a starting nickel as aforementioned.

Specialists

• K: Brandon McManus
• P: Daniel Whelan
• LS: Matthew Orzech
• Kickoff returner: Keisean Nixon, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams
• Punt returner: Jayden Reed, Keisean Nixon
  
  The return positions are fluid. Mecole Hardman could be an option there as well, but for now he's not on the active roster. After some level of complaint, Nixon said he would be willing to return again if necessary, but it's risky to put your top cornerback out there.