Packers 53-Man Roster, Practice Squad Predictions Before Preseason

On PUP: Watson (ACL).

Practice squad (2): Heath, Brown.

What changed: Picking Hardman over Heath.

Why: The No. 6 receiver – perhaps a placeholder until Watson is back – might not be so much about picking the best receiver as much as it’s filling the most important need.

Tough decision: Watson isn’t just a size-speed receiver. He’s also an excellent blocker. Heath could happily fill that role. With Reed, Golden and Hardman, the Packers would be small at receiver. Organizationally, taking Keisean Nixon and Reed off returns makes sense. Hardman has a strong track record as a returner. Perhaps the Packers can re-sign Heath to the practice squad and elevate him to the gameday roster, especially if Williams isn’t quite ready for primetime.

Just like at running back, the young-receiver role for the practice squad will be determined by the preseason games. An ankle injury derailed Brown’s strong start, and Johnson and Sheppard have taken advantage. Sheppard seems comfortable fielding punts, for what it’s worth.

Tight Ends (6)

Veterans: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims, John FitzPatrick.

Rookies/first-year: Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin.

On the 53 (3): Kraft, Musgrave, FitzPatrick.

Practice squad (1): Sims.

What changed: FitzPatrick over Sims on the 53; Sims over Swinson on the practice squad.

Why: FitzPatrick’s size screams physical blocker. That he made a couple of impressive catches on offense this week shows he can be more than just an extra offensive tackle.

Tough decision: If the choice does wind up being FitzPatrick, there’s probably not much reason to bring back Swinson, who had a brief stay on Carolina’s 53 last year before returning to Green Bay’s practice squad. Sims is a quality prospect who should be an asset on special teams. If the Packers need him to play, he’ll be ready.

Offensive Line (16)

Veterans: LT Rasheed Walker, LG Aaron Banks, C Elgton Jenkins, RG Sean Rhyan, RT Zach Tom, T/G Jordan Morgan, T/G Kadeem Telfort, T/G Travis Glover, C/G Jacob Monk, C Trey Hill.

Rookies/first-year: T Anthony Belton, G/T John Williams, G/C Donovan Jennings, T Brant Banks, G Tyler Cooper, G J.J. Lippe.

On the 53 (9): Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan, Tom, Morgan, Belton, Monk, Glover.

Practice squad (4): Williams, Jennings, Cooper, Banks.

What changed: Glover to the 53; releasing Telfort and Williams.

Why: Glover, who bombed when thrown into the fire against the Eagles in the playoffs, took a bunch of first-team reps at the start of training camp when injuries forced Sean Rhyan to play center. So, the Packers haven’t given up on him. He was off to a strong start – certainly much stronger than Telfort. Williams (back) still hasn’t practiced.

Tough decision: Releasing Williams. In 2022, Walker was a seventh-round pick. He missed most of his rookie training camp, returned late and snuck onto the 53. That was a great decision by general manager Brian Gutekunst, whose foresight was rewarded with a starting left tackle. So, maybe it’s not too late for Williams.