The Green Bay Packers had the NFL’s youngest roster in 2023, a group that remains largely intact today.
The Packers added some key pieces in free agency. Then Green Bay took 11 players in April’s draft.
Add it up and the Packers are both deep and talented, which will make it extremely tough for general manager Brian Gutekunst to finalize his roster this season.
Teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. Teams can then establish a 16-player practice squad.
Two weeks and 10 practices into training camp, Gutekunst should be gaining some clarity.
Here’s a breakdown of Green Bay’s positional groups and a prediction of how the Packers’ 53-man roster will look when they head to Brazil for the season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 6.
QUARTERBACKS (2): Jordan Love, Sean Clifford.
Cut: Michael Pratt
Analysis: Love was rusty after missing the first four practices of training camp while his contract extension was finalized. He began heating up last week, though, and should be a serious MVP candidate this season.
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“I think what gives me comfort is I know he's going to work to be whatever he can be: the best version of himself,” Gutekunst said of Love. “He's done that consistently since he's been here and to see him, his learning, his growth over that time, I don't expect him to change.”
Clifford was dreadful when Love was away, throwing eight interceptions in the first six practices. He’s played better of late, but his early struggles have undoubtedly given the Packers reason for concern.
The preseason games will likely determine if Clifford will be Love’s top backup for a second straight season. If not, a veteran such as Ryan Tannehill could be an intriguing option.
“This is why you practice is to learn from those mistakes,” Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said of Clifford. “That way, once he gets to these preseason games, he can be sharp and be on point.”
Pratt, a seventh round draft choice from Tulane, has had his moments early in camp. Pratt has enough arm strength to survive in the league and seems likely to wind up on the practice squad.
Jacob Eason, a fourth round draft choice in 2020, was released on Monday.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, A.J. Dillon.
Cut: Emanuel Wilson, Jarveon Howard, Ellis Merriweather.
Analysis: Jacobs, who received a $12.5 million signing bonus in free agency in March, will be Green Bay’s bellcow. Lynch, a third round draft pick in April, is shifty and explosive and isn't going anywhere.
That means the third running back likely comes down to Dillon vs. Wilson.
Dillon, now in his fifth season, led the Packers with 613 rushing yards in 2023. He averaged a career-low 3.4 yards per attempt, though, and had just two total touchdowns.
Dillon returned this summer in the best shape of his career and has had an impressive start to camp. He received a signing bonus of just $167,500, though, so if the Packers moved on, the financial hit would be minimal.
“He’s in great shape,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “Shoot, I was joking with him the other day, you can see the abs on him. That’s hard for a big man to do. Obviously we know what he’s capable of doing, and I think he’s in a really good position to show his best.”
Wilson averaged 6.1 yards per rush on his 14 carries as Green Bay’s No. 3 back last year. He also jumped to No. 2 for the postseason when Dillon was out and had 12 carries on the Packers’ two playoff games.
Wilson has had a quiet start to training camp, but will be fed the ball plenty in Green Bay’s three preseason games. While the odds aren't great, he could pass Dillon with a big showing in those contests.
RECEIVERS (6): Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Grant DuBose.
Cut: Malik Heath, Samori Toure, Dimitri Stanley, Jalen Wayne, Julian Hicks, Rory Starkey.
Analysis: The top four — Doubs, Reed, Watson and Wicks — could form one of the better quartets in football this season.
Melton closed 2023 with a bang, catching 16 passes in the final five games and is No. 5 right now.
“I think our four or five guys that go out there every week have the ability to make the plays that each one of us makes every single time,” Watson said. “I think we all have our different skill sets, but I think whatever play we call, you can throw any of us out there and we’re going to make a play.”
After that, it gets tricky.
Heath, an undrafted player in 2023, was one of the stars of training camp last summer, then caught 15 passes during the year. Heath averaged just 8.3 yards per catch, though, last season and hasn’t shined as bright this camp.
DuBose, a seventh round draft choice in 2023, spent all of last season on Green Bay’s practice squad. He appears to have made a jump, though, and is making a strong bid to be part of the 53.
Toure has played in 22 games the last two seasons and has 13 catches and one touchdown. He’ll need to shine during Green Bay’s preseason games to get a third season.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Tyler Davis, Ben Sims.
Cut: Joel Wilson, Messiah Swinson.
Analysis: LaFleur likes tight ends and has had four of them on his opening day roster each of the past four seasons. The song figures to remain the same this year, and the top four are pretty cut and dry.
Musgrave’s 34 receptions tied the franchise record for most catches by a rookie tight end set by Bubba Franks in 2000. Musgrave’s 352 receiving yards are also the third-most by a rookie tight end in team history, behind only Franks (363) and Tucker Kraft (355).
Musgrave is the most talented player in the group, but has been quiet at the start of camp. Still, his size (6-6, 253) and speed (4.61) are unique and he remains a prime candidate for a breakout season.
Kraft is expected back in the next week after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in April. When Kraft does return, it will be interesting to see if he can build on his sensational finish to the 2023 season.
Kraft didn't have his first reception of the season until Week 4. In his last eight games, though, Kraft had 29 catches for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
Together, Musgrave and Kraft could give the Packers a dangerous 1-2 punch.
“It'd be great to have two legitimate threats at tight end, especially when you can be multiple with your personnels and still have that ability to not only run the ball, but also have that vertical threat down the field at any time,” Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich said. “That's always huge, so having those two guys on the field making plays is great for us.”
Davis has returned after suffering a torn ACL during training camp last season. He’s an extremely gifted special teams player who coordinator Rich Bisaccia asked to write reports on many of Green Bay’s opponents last season.
“I’d go through every single snap and break down every single player from every game in the past,” Davis said of what amounted to a coaching internship. “I was watching a lot of tape.
“Very appreciative Rich would even ask me to do that, that he trusts me, and then we’d publish it, put it on the iPads for the guys, and guys would come up to me and talk through things. So it was cool to be part of that process.”
Sims is a high-level blocker and a solid special teams player.
OFFENSIVE
Cut: Andre Dillard, Travis Glover, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, Donovan Jennings, Lecitus Smith.
Analysis: This is one of the toughest spots on the team to project.
The top six appear set, with Walker (left tackle), Jenkins (left guard), Myers (center) and Tom (right tackle) virtual locks to be starters.
Morgan, the Packers’ first round pick, is the frontrunner at right guard, but also has the versatility to play tackle. Morgan’s athleticism has been impressive, and when he gets better at using his hands he could become an elite starter.
“I’m still learning,” Morgan said last week. “I still pick up new things every day—learning techniques, taking coaching from the other players and the coaches, but I’m still learning. I think I’m doing pretty well, picking it up pretty well, but I’m definitely still learning.”
Rhyan is battling Morgan at right guard, but has the flexibility to play center and left guard, as well.
Monk, a fifth round draft pick in April, has worked exclusively with the backups throughout camp. His most likely future spot is center.
Newman, a 16-game starter as a rookie in 2021, led the Packers’ offensive linemen in snaps that season. His playing time has decreased the last two seasons, though, and he’s fighting for a job.
Telfort and Dillard have both gotten a long look at right tackle with the No. 1 offense as Tom battles back from a pectoral injury.
Telfort is big bodied and long-limbed, but struggles to bend and has been whipped at times this camp. Dillard, a former first round draft pick, was released by Tennessee after allowing more sacks than any player in football last year. The Packers have used him at both tackle spots this camp and the results have been uninspiring.
The massive Jones (6-9, 370) and Tenuta (6-8, 314) are also in the mix to be a reserve tackle. Overall, though, Green Bay’s backup tackles have been unimpressive, so Gutekunst should be on the lookout for help.
Glover, a seventh round draft pick, will likely head to the practice squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, T.J. Slaton, Preston Smith, Devonte Wyatt, Lukas Van Ness, Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Kingsley Enagbare.
Cut: Jonathan Ford, Brenton Cox Jr., Deslin Alexandre, Keshawn Banks, Kenneth Odumegwu, Spencer Waege, James Ester.
Analysis: This has been Green Bay’s most impressive group the first two weeks of camp and they could be poised to be one of the NFL’s better fronts.
Gary has been Green Bay’s best player — on either side of the ball — this summer. Smith is Mr. Reliable, while Van Ness seems ready to take a jump in his second season.
“Year 2 jump, as everybody knows, that's a big year for me and I'm excited,” Van Ness said. “I know the goals that I have set for myself and I'm excited to go out there and prove it.”
Inside, the trio of Clark, Slaton and Wyatt give the Packers an impressive blend of size, skill and athleticism.
“It’s tough on the O-line right now,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “I think our D-line is solid, hopefully they continue to get better and improve and just keep coming off the ball the way they are.”
Wooden and Brooks, two second year players, are both improved and would play far more with most teams. Enagbare suffered a knee injury during the Packers’ playoff win in Dallas, but it wasn’t an ACL tear as first feared. He’s been back on the field all summer and has wreaked havoc at times.
Ford, who spent last season on the practice squad, has taken a nice jump this summer and is certainly in contention for one of the final roster spots.
Overall, Green Bay has unique depth here, and Gutekunst could trade someone to beef up an area of need — like the offensive line.
LINEBACKERS (5): Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper.
Cut: Kristian Welch, Christian Young, Arron Mosby, Ralen Goforth.
Analysis: Perhaps the greatest surprise of camp is veterans McDuffie and Wilson have held off rookie draft picks Cooper (Round 2) and Hopper (Round 3).
McDuffie finished second on the Packers in tackles last season and has maintained his starting spot in both base and nickel.
“He’s the guy that he’s going to run through a wall for you,” Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said of McDuffie. “He’s a guy that when you turn on the tape and you want to show good examples of effort from a guy running from there to 40 yards down the field, you can turn any single play and see him.”
Wilson, an eight-year veteran, has largely stayed in the league due his special teams prowess. For now, at least, he’s also holding off the rookies and starting in base.
Cooper has rare athleticism and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, but has struggled to make his mark early in camp. Hopper is extremely physical, but like Cooper, is a work in progress.
Welch, a native of Iola, Wis., played in 14 games last season and 57 in his four-year career. While Welch is a solid special teams player, the arrival of Cooper and Hopper reduced his chances for a second season in Green Bay.
CORNERBACKS (6): Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Kalen King, Corey Ballentine.
Cut: Robert Rochelle, Gemon Green, Don Callis.
Analysis: There doesn’t seem to be much mystery here. In fact the biggest questions comes down to a handful of positional battles.
Stokes has had an impressive start to camp and seems to have the edge over Valentine to start opposite Alexander. Valentine was off to a solid start this camp, as well, before missing the last two practices with a hamstring injury.
“Those guys are pushing each other and I think that's really important,” defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “Ultimately, we're going to play the best players and if we have to play multiple guys because they deserve to get on the field, then we'll do that.”
Nixon, Green Bay’s slot corner last season, struggled in that role. While he remains the frontrunner to be the Packers’ nickel again, Ballentine, King and rookie safety Javon Bullard could also fill that spot.
Ballentine made six starts last season, played in 14 games and ranked No. 2 on the Packers in passes defensed (seven). He’s off to another solid start this summer and a good bet to earn a sixth NFL season.
King, a seventh round draft pick in April, has been a pleasant surprise throughout camp. King is feisty and instinctual, and has shown the ability to play inside and outside, which has improved his stock.
Rochelle has played 37 games over the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay, but would have to charge hard to pass any of the top six in this group.
SAFETIES (6): Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Anthony Johnson Jr., Kitan Oladapo, Zayne Anderson.
Cut: Tyler Coyle, Benny Sapp III.
Analysis: Bullard, Williams and Johnson have been alternating with the No. 1 defense opposite of McKinney. Bullard had a big performance Saturday, though, at the Packers’ Family Night Scrimmage and might have surged into the lead.
“I’m inexperienced in the league,” Bullard said. “The more you play, the more things start to slow down. Just trying to get my feet wet and continue to do the things that I do best.”
Bullard has the versatility to be a traditional safety or play slot corner. If the Packers use Bullard in the latter role, something he did early in his career at Georgia, they have to feel good about their other options next to McKinney.
Williams is an impressive run defender who has been around the ball from the start of camp. Johnson Jr., who made four starts as a rookie last year, has also taken a major leap from last season.
“I think it’s going to be all hands on deck, all season,” Johnson Jr. said. “You need everybody. And just knowing the group we have now, I’m confident in all of them.”
Oladapo was activated off the active/non-football injury list last week after breaking his toe at the NFL Scouting Combine. He has some ground to make up, though, if he’s going to be a factor in 2024.
Anderson was one of Green Bay’s most reliable special teams players last year and has had a solid offseason — highlighted by a three-interception day during a mini-camp practice.
The final roster spot could come down to players like Anderson, defensive lineman Jonathan Ford and wideout Grant DuBose. If that’s how it unfolds, Anderson’s special teams skills could give him the nod.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Greg Joseph, P Daniel Whelan, LS Matt Orzech.
Cut: K Anders Carlson, LS Peter Bowden.
Analysis: The kicking battle between Joseph and Carlson has been one of the most intriguing competitions of camp.
Joseph made 20 consecutive kicks at one point last week and is 36-of-40 overall (90.0%). Carlson, who had a rough rookie season, is 33-of-40.
“It's just early, you know?” Green Bay’s special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia said. “It's still a long process … and we'll just keep kicking.”
Bisaccia was a big reason the Packers drafted Carlson in April, 2023, and it wouldn't be a shock if he fought hard for him. But after watching Carlson struggle last year, and knowing his team could be on the brink of greatness, the guess is Gutekunst opts to go with Joesph, who has a more proven track record.
Whelan is the only punter in camp and has done nothing to lose his grip on the job.
Orzech was given a $300,000 signing bonus in the 2023 offseason, a hefty commitment to a long snapper. He then had an up and down 2023 campaign.
Bowden — a former University of Wisconsin player — is an interesting prospect who was released July 23, then brought back last week.
“Yeah, obviously it still stings, but there’s two ways to view it,” Bowden said last week. “You can view it as things happen to you, or things happen for you. I just took it as an opportunity to grow as a player and a person and keep going.”
While that attitude is admirable, odds are Orzech holds off Bowden.
