Predicting the Packers’ 53-Man Roster After Minicamp

Starters: Christian Watson, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed.

Backups: Savion Williams, Bo Melton, Skyy Moore.

Falling short: Will Sheppard, Isaiah Neyor, Jakobie Keeney-James, J. Michael Sturdivant, Brenden Rice.

Why?: The new Big Three will start and play as many snaps as humanly possible because, A, they’re good and, B, the backups have almost no NFL pedigree.

Williams caught 10 passes as a rookie, but most of them were behind the line of scrimmage and extensions of the run game. That’s not much production, but it is more catches than Moore (five while excelling as a kickoff and punt returner with the 49ers) and Melton (four while moonlighting as a cornerback) combined.

So, the door is wide open for one of the young players to push for a spot on the 53. They all had their moments during the offseason practices. It’s hard not to be excited about the size-speed profiles of Neyor and Sturdivant.  

“He’s really shown a lot of flashes of excellence,” LaFleur said of Neyor.

Tight Ends (3)

Starter: Tucker Kraft.

Backups: Josh Whyle, Messiah Swinson.

Traded: Luke Musgrave.

Falling short: Drake Dabney, RJ Maryland.

Why?: Kraft intends to be back in the lineup with no limitations for Week 1. He considered himself the best do-it-all tight end in the NFL at the time of his injury.

“There wasn’t another guy in the league that was doing it as well as I was,” Kraft said. “Some people might think I’m delusional to say that. … The film is going to speak for itself. Outside zone, inside zone, screen game, down the field, as far as putting it all together I felt like I was at a great spot.”

Musgrave had every opportunity to earn a big role in 2024, when Kraft was sidelined for the offseason practices by a torn pectoral, during the second half of 2025, when Kraft suffered the knee injury, and this offseason, when Kraft was out. He failed to take advantage. Maybe a tight end-hungry team will take a shot in a trade in exchange for a 2027 draft pick or to address a position of need. That, of course, is all dependent on Kraft.

Offensive Line (9)

Starters: LT Jordan Morgan, LG Aaron Banks, C Sean Rhyan, RG Anthony Belton, RT Zach Tom.

Backups: T/G Darian Kinnard, C/G Jacob Monk, C/G Jager Burton, T Brant Banks.

Falling short: T Dalton Cooper, T Travis Glover, G Dillon Wade, G/C Donovan Jennings, G/C John Williams, G Karsen Barnhart, G Josh Gesky, G/C Dylan Barrett.

Why?: It takes a lot of projection, but the new starting offensive line could be really good. Morgan didn’t look out of place for even a moment at left tackle and should only get better with time. Rhyan and Belton should be better after having all offseason to build upon their half-seasons as starters at their positions. Tom, a stud when healthy, could be ready for the start of training camp after end-of-season knee surgery.

The depth seems precarious, though that’s almost a universal statement around the NFL. The quick rise of Burton provides options, though. He put himself in position to be the universal backup at the interior positions. Kinnard is a solid backup, as well.

What about left tackle? Belton played that position in college, so perhaps he could bounce out there with Burton stepping in at guard. Brant Banks is an intriguing young talent after a solid preseason last year as an undrafted free agent gave him a spot on the practice squad. 

It could come down to Banks vs. Glover, a sixth-round pick in 2024 who spent last season on injured reserve, vs. Williams, a seventh-round pick in 2025 who spent his rookie season on injured reserve.