Way-Too-Early Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction - 2024 Edition
An early assessment of what the 2024 Green Bay Packers could look like.
By markoldacres
The draft picks have been made, the undrafted rookies have been signed, and now the long, quiet road towards training camp stretches out before us. With the Packers offseason roster pretty much set, it is time for a first stab at what the initial 53 might look like entering the 2024 campaign.
Due to the success Brian Gutekunst has had in drafting, and building the roster in general, this year’s training camp is going to be very competitive. The Packers are going to have to cut some talented football players and ones who have had legitimate roles on the team in previous years.
Based on this prediction, six players who made last year’s roster, and are still on the team today, will miss out this time around. Let’s get into it.
Quarterback (3): Sean Clifford, Jordan Love, Michael Pratt
The Packers have only kept three quarterbacks once in the LaFleur/Gutekunst era, when Tim Boyle and Jordan Love both made the roster behind Aaron Rodgers in 2020.
That said, Clifford showed himself to be a capable backup as a rookie, and Pratt should have been drafted well before the seventh round. Both players are worthy of a roster spot and Green Bay loves to collect quarterbacks.
Running back (3): A.J. Dillon, Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd
Emmanuel Wilson misses out here and is a prime practice squad candidate, as the experienced duo of Dillon and Jacobs, as well as third-round rookie Lloyd, give the Packers plenty at the running back position.
Wide receiver (6): Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath, Bo Melton, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks
Last year’s six biggest contributors retain their roster spots for 2024. Former seventh-rounders Samori Toure and Grant DuBose could make it a difficult decision on how many receivers to keep, particularly if DuBose takes a leap after spending his rookie year on the practice squad.
Tight end (4): Tyler Davis, Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims
“Tyler Davis?! Really?!”
After a serious knee injury kept him off the roster last year, the Packers had every opportunity to cut bait if they wanted to. They clearly value Davis, especially as a special teams contributor.
Green Bay kept four tight ends every year between 2019 and 2022, and probably would have done so again in 2023 if not for Davis’ torn ACL.
Offensive line (9): Andre Dillard, Elgton Jenkins, Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk, Jordan Morgan, Josh Myers, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker
It was a tough choice to only keep nine offensive linemen, although Green Bay has done exactly that in three out of the five years LaFleur and Gutekunst have worked together.
You will often hear that Brian Gutekunst hates cutting his draft picks, and while that is no doubt true, around 13% of his selections have been cut as rookies. After taking 11 players in this year’s draft, the smart money is on at least one not making it.
The pick this year is Travis Glover, a raw offensive lineman from Georgia State who could use a year on the practice squad. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Jennings, who was guaranteed $110,000 at signing, makes it.
Choosing the ninth player was difficult due to a plethora of options, including Royce Newman, Lecitus Smith, Caleb Jones and Luke Tenuta.
Mammoth tackle Jones has been on the Yosh Nijman development plan for two years and is a wildcard, but Dillard gets the nod due to his experience, which could be valuable in a young OL room, and there being more evidence (albeit not overwhelming) of him having success in the NFL.
Defensive line (5): Karl Brooks, Kenny Clark, T.J. Slaton, Colby Wooden, Devonte Wyatt
There is not much argument behind rostering anyone but the five players who anchored Green Bay’s defensive line a year ago.
Former seventh-round pick Jonathan Ford made it last year when the Packers kept six defensive linemen, but is yet to play a single snap of defense in the NFL. The switch to a 4-3 defense means fewer bodies are likely to be required on the interior.
EDGE (4): Kingsley Enagbare, Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness
In general, the Packers have preferred to keep at least five edge rushers, but with Van Ness hopefully taking a step forward in his second year, and the good news around Enagbare’s injury, the team should be comfortable with their top four.
Brenton Cox Jr., who made the roster in 2023, will be ready to jump up from the practice squad if required.
Linebacker (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah McDuffie, Quay Walker, Eric Wilson
The counter weight to fewer defensive linemen being needed in the new defense is more linebackers. Green Bay has rostered four linebackers more often than five in LaFleur and Gutekunst’s tenure.
They did keep five in 2023, and do the same again here, allowing the depth chart to work itself out over the summer with plenty of young talent in the room. Wilson brings the veteran presence and special teams prowess.
Cornerback (6): Jaire Alexander, Corey Ballentine, Kalen King, Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine
There is an argument that six cornerbacks is unnecessary. The Packers only rostered four in 2023 and five in 2022, but it is simply very difficult to see any of the players listed not making the team.
Ballentine would appear to be the obvious odd man out, but he ended up playing a lot last year and Green Bay guaranteed him $500,000 in the one-year deal they handed him this offseason.
Safety (5): Javon Bullard, Anthony Johnson Jr., Xavier McKinney, Kitan Oladapo, Evan Williams
The safety group looks a lot more appetizing than it did a year ago at this time. The heavy invetment in McKinney and shotgun approach in the draft mean the competition for playing time should be a fascinating watch during training camp.
Johnson Jr. is very likely to be the only returning player to make the 53, with Benny Sapp III and Zayne Anderson set to be firmly on the outside looking in.
Specialists (3): Peter Bowden, Anders Carlson, Daniel Whelan
Bowden is the second undrafted rookie to make the team, beating out Matt Orzech in a must-watch battle of the long snappers…
The Packers brought in veteran competition for Carlson in Greg Joseph, and there have been reports they were hunting an even stronger option in free agency.
But having not managed to secure a truly reliable alternative, Carlson probably still has a leg up due to Gutekunst’s apparent desire to develop him, and Bisaccia’s familiarity with the second-year kicker.
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Mark Oldacres is a sports writer from Birmingham, England and a Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow him on twitter at @MarkOldacres
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Comments (83)
stockholder
May 17, 2024 at 06:34 am
Newman will be your 10th OL.
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 08:32 am
I'm going to argue that Dillard and Newman are really the same guy--meaning they'd both play the same role in this offense. They won't keep both over developmental youth.
jannesbjornson
May 17, 2024 at 10:09 am
NEWMAN ! Glover will make the top nine. Dillard will have to compete against Jennings for a backup spot.
stockholder
May 17, 2024 at 12:12 pm
They will carry 10 OL.
Book it.
I doubt they carry 3 qbs.
I also doubt 4TEs.
PackerBackerAZ
May 17, 2024 at 01:14 pm
Newman is as good as gone. I doubt that he's tradable so he gets cut. The only way they don't carry three qbs is if they can trade Clifford. Neither Clifford or Pratt will be able to be stashed on the practice squad. They'll definitely carry four tight ends. Book it.
jannesbjornson
May 18, 2024 at 02:20 pm
Four TEs is mandatory in a wide-zone scheme. Davis was blocking better than Big Dog during his retirement tour.
HarryHodag
May 17, 2024 at 10:47 am
He must have compromising pictures on someone. That's the only way Newman stays on the roster.
stockholder
May 17, 2024 at 12:09 pm
I'm saying that he's a instant sub.
He's also going to figure in the comp pick
formula.
Regardless how you feel about him.
The coach will have him on this roster
before 3 QBs.
PackerBackerAZ
May 17, 2024 at 01:16 pm
Are you saying Newman is a substandard guard? I know that I am.
Rhambo53
May 17, 2024 at 05:59 pm
Newman is a sure fire cut with a $3 million salary.
Rhambo53
May 17, 2024 at 06:00 pm
*
Guam
May 17, 2024 at 07:12 am
Packers only keep two QBs on the 53. Pratt was passed on by all 32 teams for six rounds - he will make the PS. They will add a tenth OL instead - probably Jones or Tenuta. I think it will be a tossup between Eric Wilson and Benny Sapp III. Five LBs/Four Safeties or vice versa? Not sure which way Hafley goes.
T7Steve
May 17, 2024 at 07:31 am
I think with the new rules, they'll have Pratt up as the emergency (54th?) on game days. They know they won't need him if they do but will be able to protect him and keep him developing in the program of QB 101.
Not having seen one snap of Hafley D since he's been called back up to the show, it's all going to be a guessing game (I think) all the way through camp till we get the 1st 53/4 on the way to Brazil.
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 07:57 am
Agreed on the D. We like to think the transition and advancement of these guys in the new system will be automatic for all, but every time systems change there are guys who don't find their place and some of those will surprise us. Who knows how that will shake out?
nagawicka
May 18, 2024 at 11:05 am
What emergency? None when "they know they won't need him".
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 07:53 am
Agree with both you and Steve: I don't see them keeping 3 QBs--roster spots will be at a premium with this young group, and the likelihood that a young QB like Pratt or Clifford will be poached at cutdowns or off the PS is pretty low. I'd add that if either goes off during preseason, it really pushes the needle further in this direction.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 08:07 am
I guess i should have read your response for posting mine to Guam.
That is my thinking that Preseason will determine how many they go with. I do think ultimately they keep 3.
Sidenote. For the NFL why don't they make it so teams can keep 54 players on the roster with the 54th being a 3rd QB. This would allow them to keep 3 QB's each, and would allow them to better develop those QB's without fear of losing them or having to waste another spot on the roster. To me this league needs to do a better job of developing QB's.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 09:04 am
3 QBs is extremely unlikely, especially now the emergency rule no longer requires the emergency QB to have been on the roster the prior week. It would require both backups to ball out spectacularly and yet no team be interested in trading for the 3rd or Love to be questionable health wise and then temporary.
Personally I don’t think Dillard makes it, but who knows, perhaps he now realizes he’s got to work at his craft. I’m not sure Dillon is a lock if one of Wilson or Lloyd really shows as a protector.
I’m not sure we keep 4TEs unless Davis doesn’t show material improvement offensively and does show he’s clearly a better blocking option than Kraft/Sims. I’m curious to see if Glover gets used as the 6th OL (he has experience doing that and can actually catch),
I think there’s a good chance Robert Rochell plays himself into the roster. He’s one that it will be fun to watch this summer. In the end there’s a good chance there’s a player who makes the 53 who is currently not on the roster (even ignoring the space currently opened by T Jones retiring). There will also inevitably be injuries.
This was a pretty decent stab at a May guess though, given that we really need to see who benefits from the changes in our D among returning players, particularly among the former DL and OLB group.
It could be that guys like Cox, Ford or Mosby, for example, look completely unsuited or really find that their potential is unlocked in a different role and approach.
I’m also fascinated to see if Caleb Jones and Tenuta have really taken such a step back in standing despite consistent investment in them as a lot seem to assume. There was a lot of similar chatter about Nijman before he played.
HawkPacker
May 17, 2024 at 09:55 am
They will retain Davis as he is great on special teams alone plus they think he is really talented.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 11:29 am
Yes, quite likely absent others really showing up, but whether they keep Sims is a question and probably would depend whether Davis is adequate offensively or 4 TEs are required to do so.
DrMixerGED
May 18, 2024 at 12:33 am
RC, totally agree on the 3 QB idea and the fact the league does an abysmal job developing them, despite knowing damn well QBs drive the league.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 08:01 am
I think preseason will determine this. If Pratt blows up and is very impressive they will have to keep him on the 53. But if he is average, then I can definitely see him going to the PS.
Guam
May 17, 2024 at 08:23 am
Agreed, but unlikely a rookie truly blows up while learning a new offensive system. I think T7Steve has this one right - Pratt will be the emergency QB on game day and spend a year on the PS learning LaFleur's offense.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 09:36 am
LaFleur has already suggested that Love will be taking a lot of snaps this summer as they continue to work to perfect him. It will be intriguing to see how much opportunity they give to the others and how that divides by preseason.
If they want to work on Pratt’s progressions (he’s not all that good at multiples) and arm technique to unlock better velocity and medium range accuracy, we may not see as much of him as many seem to expect. If they want a real competition then the opposite will be true. They have a much better idea of where Clifford is than we do or they do of Pratt,
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 10:04 am
Very well could happen. I could see him being the Matt Flynn though. Having that kind of preseason. If he does, then he will be on the 53. I'm not sure if he would unseat Clifford, but i can definitely see paths for him to make it to the 53.
I was listening to Jim Nagy talking about him. He said that it was the most shocking that Pratt fell. Most teams had him as a round 3-4 type of QB. He thought as a rookie he could be a guy that could come in and get 2-3 wins in a 4 game stretch if needed.
Leatherhead
May 18, 2024 at 02:12 pm
Pratt will be the emergency QB on gameday. 100% correct. Next year, he'll challenge Clifford, but not this year.
LLCHESTY
May 17, 2024 at 12:49 pm
I think Pratt beats out Clifford but agree one of them will be on the PS.
DrMixerGED
May 18, 2024 at 12:35 am
Clifford has a lot of experience and has shown pretty well, so while I’m not sure I agree, for the Packers sake, I hope you’re right.
Leatherhead
May 18, 2024 at 02:10 pm
I have to say it: We've been working with these UDFAs for two years in the hopes that they can be our 10th OL?? That's not much of a return on investment, IMO.
PhantomII
May 18, 2024 at 06:05 pm
Pratt beat the 2024 drafts #1 overall pick going to Chicago....and he looked pretty good in his highlight film. I think he stays protected to develop somewhere and I believe he will have a chip on the shoulder. The QB coach may do wonders with him. I think he makes a solid QB2 in a year. Let's also not forget we have at least 5 plus WR's and a couple plus TE's and a good run game to go with to help any QB do well...and our defense is suppose to be on the upswing also. These are all good reason any QB should excel...even a back-up QB.
T7Steve
May 17, 2024 at 07:23 am
It's good to start seeing projected rosters again.
This is as good a list as possible since we haven't even started OTAs yet.
I actually think they might keep another edge and or D-line probably at least one who can play either.
Of course, my eyes will be zoned in on the O-line. It was getting by quite handily by the end of last season and I think is ready to take the next step. Depth is most important too. No more backsteps at the start of the season because of the lack of preparedness. Start there and don't worry about the rest of the offense till it's set and not missing a beat with every 5 players that can be out there.
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 07:55 am
I think they've got a couple guys listed at DT who can definitely play on the end (Brooks and Wooden), and a couple DE/Edge guys who can rush from inside on passing downs. It's a pretty flexible group and they might lean into that to create roster room elsewhere.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 09:28 am
Great point. Gary, Van Ness, Brooks could easily be either or both, generally or depending on weekly match ups. I’m going to be very intrigued with who try use and how they use DL out of base too.
I wonder if they will try to use Slaton more aggressively to unlock his elite burst and explosion for the first time, let alone Clark’s and Gary’s roles.
We tend think along the lines of base a lot because we have more idea of how that will look, despite the fact we know it won’t be the majority formation. It’s going to be very interesting to see what Hafley has in mind even in vanilla preseason mode.
GregC
May 17, 2024 at 10:01 am
When I think back to previous 4-3 defenses, I don't recall having any DTs who sometimes lined up at DE. Am I wrong about that, or have things changed? Or maybe Brooks and Wooden are special players? I guess I'm just not seeing it.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 12:04 pm
4:3 Ds have evolved somewhat, but remember that we won’t be in base the majority of the time either and that our DTs include guys with freakish athleticism, which isn’t always the case today or in the past.
jannesbjornson
May 18, 2024 at 02:26 pm
Reggie lined up in both spots.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 08:25 am
"Of course, my eyes will be zoned in on the O-line."
I'm really curious to see how the OL works itself out.
They added 3 in the draft. Morgan, Monk and Glover. And added Dillard in FA.
I think Morgan and Walker will battle for LT. Jenkins is locked in at LG. I know people don't want it but Myers is their OC. RG I think will be a 3 way battle between Rhyan, Monk and Jennings. RT is Tom's. In my eyes right now they have 2 spots that are up for grabs. LT and RG.
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 08:36 am
There was precious little behind the starters until they signed Dillard. Morgan should be playing somewhere, early, but I don't belong to the camp that he must play based on draft status. They've stocked the room with developmental talent, but they need these guys to coach up rapidly because there are hard decisions to be made on the OL in the next 16 months. Having to go back to the draft in 2025 feeling like you need another 3 bodies seriously hampers what you can do elsewhere.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 10:22 am
Morgan might be able to play RG, I just don't know at this point if he will. He would be switching from Left side to Right side, and he would be switching from T to G. So I don't know if they want to try and have him doing that.
I really think they want him to win the LT job. But would consider him elsewhere if needed too. Walker played well down the stretch, but don't forget he was average best and got benched in the middle of the season. He might be the next Yosh. Backup swing T.
They definitely need a few of these guys to emerge. Monk is a guy I think they really need to emerge. At the very least to be a back up interior guy.
LLCHESTY
May 17, 2024 at 01:04 pm
For some guys switching sides comes easy and for others it's a struggle and it takes a lot of work. Ross Uglem said if Morgan struggles at RG maybe they switch Jenkins to the right side and put Morgan at LG. Could be one way to get the best 5 on the field.
Leatherhead
May 18, 2024 at 02:24 pm
How many OTs do you have to dress out? 4? Tom, Morgan,Walker and ?????
Now we've added Dillard to the mix with Mt. Caleb and Tenuta, et. al. I kind of think they signed Dillard because they weren't confident of these other guys being able to play well enough.
Yes, hard decisions on the Oline coming up, but for the next two seasons we have the starters set except for Center, who'll be replaced after this year. This is the window that we have to capitalize on, before our offensive starters have to be replaced. We're set at QB and all the skill positions.
But we're definitely going to have to bring in new bodies or we're going to have to pay the old ones. Remember, Runyan got $30M. It seems easier to me to keep drafting them. Yes, I'd hate to lose Tom, or Walker, or Jenkins. But it is going to happen.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 07:57 am
My initial thoughts on Way-Too-Early Packers 53-Man Roster Prediction.
QB's - I do think they keep 3.
RB's - I can see them keeping 3 or 4 here. It would not surprise me if Dillon ended up not being one of the 3 though. I would pencil him in, but it would not surprise me if he wasn't.
TE's - I think they keep 4 also. Unless Sims or Davis struggles, then 3.
WR's - I would guess 6. I think the 6th spot will be a battle between DuBose and Heath.
OL - I think they keep 10. Every year they keep some sort of developmental type of OL. This years I think will be Glover. I think he is going to perform better then a lot of people expect. Listening to Nagy, he was a guy that impressed at the Senior Bowl. He was a late edition and immediately looked like he belonged. I can see a battle between Newman and Dillard for the 9th spot.
DL - 5 for sure.
Edge - The biggest question mark here is Enagbare. Will he be healthy to play. If he isn't ready to go, then I think they keep 4. If he is ready to go, I could see them keeping 4 but also possibly 5 with Cox if he has taken a year 2 jump.
LB - 5 seems to be right. Wilson is a special teams player they need. The other 4 are basically locks.
CB - I can see 4, 5 or 6. Ballentine I could see going to the PS again. And I don't know what version of King will show up. Both could be special teams types of players. With a couple of Safety's having the ability to play that slot, I could see them going with fewer CB's. My guess is they end up with 5.
S - I think they go with the 5. I know a lot of penciled in Bullard as a starting S. But, i would not be surprised if Johnson starts the season as the starter next to McKinney.
ST - 3. I also am in agreement that there will be a LS change. If we are honest with ourselves, Carlson was good, but not great last year. His FG % was good. He hit 81.8% of his FG's. He hit 87.2% of his Extra Points. Comparing that to Mason Crosby. Crosby's rookie year he was 79.5% on FG's, and 100% on Extra points (but this was old distance). Crosby's final year in GB he was 86.2% on FG's, and 94.9% on extra points.
But if you go back and look at a lot of the misses the snaps were terrible. I think LS was a bigger issue then Carlson. I think they make a change at LS. Bowden was rated the number 1 LS in the draft by many experts. He was a Senior Bowl long snapper. I think he earns the job.
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 08:59 am
" I think they keep 10. Every year they keep some sort of developmental type of OL.... I can see a battle between Newman and Dillard for the 9th spot."
I keep beating the drum on the OL, but if the OL is bad nobody looks good. It's been a long time since the starting OL has been legitimately bad in GB.
I think 10 OL, with all the developmental youth they have and the likelihood that they'll need to turn a couple starting spots over in the next 2 years, will be right. Unless he's just plain bad, I don't think they signed Dillard to be the 10th OL. I think they cross-train him at G and he's the first or second guy off the bench. He could be a very valuable game-day guy. I like Glover--or at least the idea of Glover--a lot. We'll see if he grows into a contributor.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 12:48 pm
My understanding with Dillard is that he has refused to play G in the past. I don't know if its true but I heard it on a radio station somewhere. Can't remember which one.
But I think Dillard at the very least brings competition to the OL. I think it was a good signing. I think he could be a backup swing T at the very least.
I think we go with 10 like you said with all the youth they have. At this point I have no idea what they have in Jones and Tenuta. They probably have a good feel for it. But I feel like they are going to try and give their young guys as many opportunities as possible.
LLCHESTY
May 17, 2024 at 01:06 pm
I think he bitched more about playing on the right side than playing G but he hasn't played G much so maybe he bitched about that too. 🤷
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 03:13 pm
He was a LT and only that, in his words. Right now he’s at the point where he likely needs to take anything he can. Possibly an insight into why that is.
HawkPacker
May 17, 2024 at 10:04 am
I don't think we go with three qb's. Two should be enough as long as we can protect the 3rd one on the PS.
Why take up another spot with the third QB? I don't think it is necessary unless I do not completely understand that protected 54th player.
mnbadger
May 17, 2024 at 07:57 am
Nice stab at 1st 53.
It's hard to seriously argue any of your choices.
I'm so excited about NOT starting a season with rnewman on the roster.
Not an argument, just a suggestion - keep Dillard around through TC as a veteran leader.
Waive him in place of Mount Caleb, then sign him back to PC for league minimum after everyone else passes.
My only other wildcard is JFord, a beefy IDL option.
Maybe bring him up from PC, after placing TDavis or Enegbare on 4 week IL after season starts.
Giving either extra time to fully heal wouldn't be the worst thing.
Rosters are so fluid once the season starts.
GPG!
TKWorldWide
May 17, 2024 at 07:57 am
A very good consensus roster at this early stage. I just wonder who will make it that nobody expects. Seems like every year there’s at least one.
RCPackerFan
May 17, 2024 at 08:25 am
Also to go with that. What surprise cut may they make.
Guam
May 17, 2024 at 08:31 am
That's always the interesting question isn't it? Some rookie blows up and some veteran plays his way off the team. Impossible to tell who, but high likelihood it happens.
LeotisHarris
May 17, 2024 at 08:35 am
That possibility keeps the some fun in this for me. With all the overanalyzed metrics and all-knowing pundits, somehow, someway they all miss a football player. Cinderella story, came outa nowhere...
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 08:40 am
"Cinderella story..."
...Out of nowhere. A former greenskeeper now about to become the Master's champion. It looks like a miraculous - it's in the hole! It's in the hole!
T7Steve
May 17, 2024 at 08:54 am
There's another surprise scenario that we can't brush aside. There are still some good FAs left on the market that could get snatched up when things shake out or an injury happens.
Knowing Gute (or because we can't guess what he'll do) I wouldn't be surprised if there's a trade made either.
TKWorldWide
May 17, 2024 at 08:57 am
All well and good, but I’m still striving for total consciousness. 😉
dobber
May 17, 2024 at 09:02 am
...at least you got that goin' for ya.
TKWorldWide
May 17, 2024 at 10:04 am
Which is nice.
(You saw that coming a mile away!)
greengold
May 18, 2024 at 11:29 am
Cannonball. Comin’ atcha!
DrMixerGED
May 18, 2024 at 12:36 am
It’s a GB tradition
SDPack
May 17, 2024 at 09:09 am
Pratt is much younger than Clifford and considered more valuable due to developmental value. If he blows up in preseason, he makes the team as #2 and Clifford would be put on PS with little risk of being poached.
OL confounds me. In all the Packers news that is put out, I have not yet seen any analysis on the development progress of Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, and Kadeem Telfort. Do we have any emerging starters here or are they all getting passed up now by incoming talent?
I also wonder about Jonathan Ford and TJ Slaton. Odd men out better suited to a 3-4?
I see a world where AJ Dillon does become the H back. If you look at his measurable from his draft profile, he is a better athlete than Kyle Jusczyk. Can he run block? We’ll see.
Finally, Javon Bullard can play slot so his versatility could save us a roster spot at CB. Maybe King goes to PS.
T7Steve
May 17, 2024 at 09:37 am
The CB and safety rooms are going to come down to special teams at the end. 1 plus or minus from either will depend on that, so the players interchangeability to other positions for depth will be the biggest consideration.
HawkPacker
May 17, 2024 at 10:22 am
SDP, I also wonder about the status of those three reserve tackles. They apparently do not think they are ready if they had to draft a T in the first round. Also, there was never any explanation as to why Nijman went to the doghouse. He was not a bad tackle and no explanation. He must have p*ssed them off somehow.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 11:37 am
Stenovich out there praising Newman on Sunday. Echoes of Hanson eulogies. His personnel decision making scares me. He seems to get very invested in certain individuals. I hope Gute gets more assertive on such things as it seems LaFleur won’t.
Leatherhead
May 17, 2024 at 04:00 pm
Maybe Steno doesn’t see any point in publicly denigrating a guy who won’t be on the team much longer?
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 08:18 pm
No reason to eulogize either. There’s such a thing as the response that says nothing.
DrMixerGED
May 18, 2024 at 12:38 am
Then we trade Pratt for a nice haul, and bring Clifford back to the big leagues.
GregC
May 17, 2024 at 10:11 am
After a slow week on Cheesehead TV, it's good to have an article we can sink our teeth into. I agree that they will keep three QBs, as long as Pratt doesn't suck. There's bound to be at least one other team that has an injury at QB or a backup who bombs in training camp, and they would be happy to poach a QB off a practice squad without even having to spend a draft pick on him.
I don't think they are likely to keep Andre Dillard though. Yes, he has a lot of experience--experience at being a really bad offensive lineman. I think he is the backup plan in case most of the young guys do poorly in training camp. At least one of them should outperform him. My money is on Caleb Jones.
Brenton Cox is a tough call. They kept him on the roster as a developmental player last year. It would be a waste to cut him this year, unless maybe he doesn't fit into the new defense. I think they will keep him.
DrMixerGED
May 18, 2024 at 12:39 am
People are starving here
HarryHodag
May 17, 2024 at 10:46 am
One thing to keep in mind is the 17 game regular season. There will be injuries. Where do the injuries hurt the most? Offensive line and secondary.(Quarterback is obvious). If you're going to keep an extra player or two it would be smart to keep them in the o-line and secondary.
With all teams stocked with quarterbacks it would be smarter to keep Pratt on the practice squad and pray Jordan Love doesn't get hurt. If another team wants a practice squad player they have to put Pratt on their regular 53 roster.
The Engebare injury also could be an issue especially if Cox doesn't take the next step.
LLCHESTY
May 17, 2024 at 01:21 pm
There's no reason to keep 3 QBs on the 53, if you're down to your 3rd QB the season is sunk anyway. The only exception would be if a team took a really raw upper round QB and wanted a veteran QB as a backup but that's not the case here.
Ya_tittle
May 17, 2024 at 02:06 pm
Yeah, like the Vikings last year. They trotted all sorts of Zeros out there.
Leatherhead
May 17, 2024 at 04:06 pm
If your starter gets hurt early, (which I’ve seen), and your backup gets injured later,(which I’ve also seen), you do have to finish the game. I suppose you could go wildcat and play 3 OT.
phoe
May 17, 2024 at 01:31 pm
Packers should go outside their comfort zone and make a serious bid for UFL K Jake Bates and move Anders to the PS (no one will pick him up). Worst case - you're still stuck trying to develop Anders, best case - ultimate game changer. Never understood teams that pinch pennies at kicker. One of the few positions that can make or break your season.
Coldworld
May 17, 2024 at 04:04 pm
Arguably he’s been caught by a few UFL kickers. He still has the longest FG I think, but by only 2 yards over JJ Molson (64 Vs 62), who has a marginally better conversion percentage.
JJ Molson was, of course, a Packer, backing up Crosby from the PS through the 2021 season and was released prior to 2022.
This cautions both that Kickers generally do improve after their rookie year and also that small sample sizes can be deceptive. Perhaps we should resign Molson?
DrMixerGED
May 18, 2024 at 12:41 am
How many times does it have to play out before teams take it seriously?
I’m paying top dollar for the best kicker in the league 8 days a week.
Rhambo53
May 17, 2024 at 05:58 pm
I think it's evident that the Packers are going to cut some very good player that will get claimed by others teams before the Packers can sign them to the practice squad.
Mostly I agree with the numbers and wouldn't be surprised if Jennings or Glover beat out Dillard. Dillard strikes me as an underachiever that the Packers are taking a flyer on. If one of the rookies making less money is impressive I wouldn't be surprised to see Dillard released. He clearly wasn't in demand as he was on the market for a long time.
One move I could see happening is the Packers keeping 2 QBs and 4 RBs. I thing either Pratt or Clifford could make it to the practice squad. Both are late round picks that teams passed on multiple times so I doubt either would be signed to another team's 53. Nationally many people viewed Clifford as a wasted pick and he didn't do anything last season to change opinions. And do we really need to be grooming two QBs behind Love on the 53? It's his team for the foreseeable future and the Packers aren't going anywhere without him.
I can see 4 RBs because Dillon was an afterthought and most likely only has a future as an H-Back, replacing Deguara. I don't see him getting many handoffs. In fact if the Packers go with 3 RBs, I see Wilson making it over Dillon anyway. Jacobs and Dillon could both be gone in 2025 so Lloyd and Wilson look like the future.
GregC
May 18, 2024 at 05:40 am
Clifford did plenty last year to change opinions. By all accounts, he played very well in practice right from the beginning, and he looked good in the preseason games. By the end of preseason, nobody was criticizing the pick anymore.
Jacobs will not be gone next year. He will be in Green Bay for at least two years and probably three or more. They didn't just give him that big contract so he could only play one year for them.
I agree with you on Dillard and would see it as a bad sign if they end up keeping him. There should be enough young players with more upside who are worth keeping over him.
Earl-Louis
May 18, 2024 at 08:24 am
I think someone like Tyler Davis is a prime candidate to start on the practice squad and be elevated the first 3 weeks to play special teams. Then as attrition occurs, he can be added to the 53. Gute has done this previously to protect a draft pick that won't contribute right away from being poached.
Welch and Ballentine followed this path last year and Orzech was waived on the initial 53 then signed the next day to protect Tenuta on injured reserve.
greengold
May 18, 2024 at 01:29 pm
Thinking the big surprises will come from OL where Josh Myers gets cut, and from the DE/EDGE with any of Brenton Cox Jr, Aaron Mosby and Deslin Alexandre winning a 53 man roster spot.
Mosby is a big X-Factor to me. As a senior at Fresno St. Mosby had 6 sacks, 6 FF and 15.5 TFL.
As for Myers, while they might like him, his poor run blocking numbers don’t lie. He’s been BAD there since Day1, 3 years ago. I’d keep Glover over Myers any day.
Leatherhead
May 18, 2024 at 02:03 pm
GG. They aren't going to cut Myers. He's our starting Center.
Here's the bottom line, as far as I'm concerned: Myers has been an integral piece of this line for the last two years, during which time we've put decent offensive lines out on the field quite a bit of the time. We had over 100 yards rushing in 11 out of 13 games, and both playoff games. Love was protected well enough to throw 33 TD passes. I don't see how this is done with a BAD Center.
PFF, as far as I'm concerned, is a tool, but it's not the Bible. At the end of a day, it's a subjective evaluation and you can give it as much weight as you feel like. They kind of lost me about 10 years ago when they were telling me how good Brad Jones was. I actually watch Myers, and out of 64 snaps in a game, he probably does a solid job on at least 60 of them.
I'd also point out that when the Packers select an offensive lineman, the pass blocking is valued above the run blocking.
For the record, over the last 2 years, he's played just about every snap. He doesn't get many penalties. We haven't lost possession because of a bad snap once. He hasn't given up many sacks or pressures. And he's a relative bargain, on his rookie contract still. Next year, we'll see what happens, but for 2024, they aren't going to do this.
greengold
May 18, 2024 at 03:55 pm
Hence, “big surprise…”
Whatever… ZOLTAR… … LOL
Leatherhead
May 18, 2024 at 04:07 pm
That would be a big surprise. That'd easily be as big of a surprise as losing a trip to the Super Bowl because you can't recover an onside kick.
WD
May 19, 2024 at 10:05 am
My dark horse is Samori Toure to beat out Malik Heath. Toure and DuBose were both injured and certainly will be competitive if fully recovered from their injuries. I think seven WR's are definitely worth considering. I think it is also premature to throw Caleb Jones under the bus as he was injured as well. Aside from that, this way too early sounds pretty good. I like the idea of them keeping the 3QB's. Pratt was a great value if not a steal.