Packers' post-draft 53-man roster prediction

Merry draft-mas fellow Green Bay Packers fans. It’s finally that wonderful time of year. All the draft season speculation is over, we no longer have to wonder who Gutey and Co. might draft, and now we just get to focus on learning about our new players. It’s a truly great time of year. 

As Gutekunst always says, building a roster is a 365 day per year task. While that is true, I wouldn’t let him fool you. The bulk of this roster has already been constructed, and I’d be surprised if much other than bargain purchases are added to this team. So with that being said, let’s take a look into a WAY TOO EARLY 53 man roster prediction. 

QB (2) 

1. Jordan Love 
2. Desmond Ridder 

I’m honestly not too keen on Desmond Ridder as the backup. We’ve seen a fairly large sample size of Desmond Ridder as a starter, and….it was uh not very good! With that being said though, Ridder is largely in the same spot Malik Willis was as a prospect when he was initially brought to Green Bay. 

If Matt Lafleur wants to try out Ridder as his next QB reclamation project, I totally get it. Ridder was absolutely dirt cheap to acquire, and Ridder, unlike Willis in 2024, will get a full offseason in Green Bay before ever being thrown into the fire. 

Bubble Guy Who Has a Chance: Kyron Drones 

RB (4) 

1. Josh Jacobs 
2. Marshawn Lloyd 
3. Chris Brooks 
4. Damien Martinez 

If Marshawn Lloyd stays healthy in 2026, then I have absolutely no worries about this unit. Too bad that “if” is doing some very heavy lifting. 

My early hot take of the 2026 offseason is that Damien Martinez is not being talked about enough. I liked him a lot coming out of the draft in 2025, and couldn’t believe the Packers got him for nothing last season. 

He profiles as a rotational guy who can add legit pop as a runner. Keep in mind that Martinez is a higher level prospect than Emmanuel Wilson was when the Green Bay Packers acquired him a few years back. Gutey has been on a roll finding street free agent running backs who actually contribute, and I tend to think he did it again with Martinez. 

TE (3) 

1. Tucker Kraft 
2. Luke Musgrave 
3. Josh Whyle 

The Packers will look for their backups to block well and contribute on special teams. Sadly, neither Musgrave nor Whyle really do either of those things. For that reason, I could see the team trying to add a veteran free agent to this position sometime this summer. Keep an eye on it at least. 

Bubble Guy Who Has a Chance: RJ Maryland 

WR (6)

1. Christian Watson 
2. Jayden Reed 
3. Matthew Golden 
4. Savion Williams 
5. Skyy Moore 
6. Bo Melton 

I think the top 5 are locked in here. Bo Melton and Sturdivant will likely battle for that last spot, and I bet the tie breaker comes down to special teams. Well I don’t know, maybe Carrington Valentine will cross train at WR and take the final spot! 

Bubble Guy Who Has a Chance: J. Michael Sturdivant

OL (10)

LT: Jordan Morgan, John Williams 

LG: Aaron Banks, Travis Glover 

C: Sean Rhyan, Jacob Monk 

RG: Anthony Belton, Jager Burton 

RT: Zach Tom, Darian Kinnard 

Two of my recent value draft crushes that have yet to pan out are John Williams and Jacob Monk. Both of those guys, along with Travis Glover, will really have to work to make this team. Depth is a problem right now. The team may look to add a cheap veteran, or they may hope some of these young guys pop in camp. 

Bubble Guys Who Have a Chance: Donovan Jennings, Josh Gesky 

DL (5) 

1. Devonte Wyatt
2. Javon Hargrave 
3. Chris McLellan 
4. Warren Brinson 
5. Karl Brooks 

Outside of Brooks, these players are all positionally versatile guys. I think Brinson is a key one to keep an eye on. The Green Bay Packers really lauded his versatility along the line when they picked him last year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him add weight like Colby Wooden did last year. If that’s the case, expect him to help McLellan shoulder the load at the NT position. 

Don’t count out Nazir Stackhouse here either. I could very much see him making the team, but it’s a numbers game, and he’s one of the last guys out for me. 

OLB (5) 

1. Micah Parsons 
2. Lukas Van Ness 
3. Barryn Sorrell 
4. Dani Dennis-Sutton 
5. Collin Oliver 

Maybe it’s the physical therapist in me, but when I saw how quickly Micah Parsons was doing full revolutions on the stationary bike/straight leg raises with no lag, I immediately started thinking he’s going to be on this opening day roster. The Green Bay Packers may choose to be careful with him, but they don’t need to. 

Nonetheless, if this is the case, I don’t think Brenton Cox makes the team. He would be the best player to get cut, and would be the first guy back on the team in the case of injury. 

ILB (5) 

1. Edgerrin Cooper 
2. Zaire Franklin 
3. Tyron Hopper 
4. Isaiah McDuffie 
5. Nick Niemann 

This one is pretty set to me. Niemann slides in as clearly the best special teamer. 

Bubble Guy Who Has a Chance: Kristian Welch 

CB (6) 

1. Keisean Nixon 
2. Carrington Valentine 
3. Benjamin St-Juste 
4. Brandon Cisse 
5. Domani Jackson 
6. Kamal Hadden 

I feel pretty good guessing this will be the group on the roster. But I have no clue which of these guys will be starting come September. 

Keep an eye on who wins the battle for the backup nickel job behind Javon Bullard. The Packers don’t have much depth in the slot, and anybody who can show value there will greatly increase their chances of making the roster. 

S (4) 

1. Xavier McKinney 
2. Evan Williams 
3. Javon Bullard 
4. Kitan Oladapo 

This group is set in stone. 

Specialists (3)

Kicker: Trey Smack <3

Punter: Daniel Whelan 

LS: Matt Orzech 

Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out Brandon McManus!