Green Bay Packers Roster Projection 2.0

With the veteran additions of Randall Cobb and Dennis Kelly, this roster looks different than our pre-camp version.

GREEN BAY, Wis. – A couple of veteran additions necessitated a couple of changes from our pre-training camp projection of the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushed for the acquisition of former teammate Randall Cobb. Having given up a sixth-round pick and guaranteed his $1.075 million base salary, it’s safe to assume he isn’t going anywhere.

Plus, the Packers signed veteran offensive tackle Dennis Kelly. Unless he’s simply out of gas at age 31, it’s hard to imagine he’s not going to make the final roster. Remember, last year’s No. 3 tackle, Rick Wagner, played almost 60 percent of the snaps last season. It could be a key acquisition by general manager Brian Gutekunst.

With that as a setup, here’s our second roster projection. The breakdown: 26 on offense, 24 on defense and three on special teams.

The toughest position group to determine? Receiver. The deepest position group? Offensive line. The easiest position group? Defensive line. The thinnest position group? Also defensive line.

Things could change rapidly this week. The team will conduct its first padded practice on Tuesday. That's when training camp will get real.

Scroll through the slides to get the scoop on each position group.

Quarterbacks

Made it (3): Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Kurt Benkert.Didn’t make it (0): None.What changed? Nothing.Why: With the return of Rodgers, the Packers released Jake Dolegala and Blake Bortles before the start of training camp. If Benkert really struggles during the preseason, perhaps the Packers will go shopping for a new developmental prospect. As it stands, as the saying goes, the position is Benkert’s to lose. “We’d like to take a long look at Kurt” in the preseason, general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “He did some good things in OTAs. That three- or four-quarterback thing is always a little bit of a rub. Personnel guys like to have four because of injuries and things like that. But then a lot of times, that fourth guy is not doing much in practice except for throwing to the defense and not getting a lot of reps.”

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Running backs

Made it (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Kylin Hill.Didn’t make it (2): Dexter Williams, Patrick Taylor.What changed? Patrick Taylor (out).Why: At this early stage of camp, Williams has outplayed Hill (seventh round) and Taylor (PUP list). What will happen when the physicality picks up this coming week? What will happen when the preseason games begin? He hasn’t been good enough in his two years in the NFL so perhaps it’s time to go with the fresh face, Hill, who was a three-down back in college.

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Receivers

Made it (7): Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Randall Cobb, Amari Rodgers, Devin Funchess, Juwann Winfree.Didn’t make it (6): Equanimeous St. Brown, Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton, Chris Blair, Bailey Gaither, DeAndre Thompkins.What changed? Cobb was acquired for a sixth-round pick. Why: Cobb is practically a lock to make the roster, unless GM Brian Gutekunst is in the mood of ticking off the starting quarterback. The first five on that list would seem to be locks. Funchess is off to a good start despite missing all of last season (COVID opt-out) and most of 2019 (broken collarbone in opener). If the Packers keep a seventh, he better be able to play special teams. That means blocking and tackling and not necessarily returning. Is that Winfree? Beats me, honestly, but he continues to catch the ball and get open on offense. Green Bay could go with only the five “locks” and a special-teamer.

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Tight ends

Made it (4): Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Dominique Dafney.Suspended (1): Jace Sternberger.Didn’t make it (2): Bronson Kaufusi, Isaac Nauta.What changed: Nothing.Why: The versatility of Deguara and Dafney means the Packers don’t have to bother with a fullback. Sternberger, a third-round pick in 2019, was thrown for losses with a concussion in camp as a rookie and a concussion late last season. Now, he’ll open the 2021 season with a two-game suspension. He might need a strong training camp to stick around because Dafney impressed as a receiver and on special teams in his late-season opportunities. It’s unlike the Packers to cut bait so soon with early-round picks, so Sternberger could survive the bubble.

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Offensive line

Made it (9): LT David Bakhtiari, LG Elgton Jenkins, C Josh Myers, RG Lucas Patrick, RT Billy Turner, T/G Royce Newman, T/G Cole Van Lanen, G Jon Runyan, T Dennis Kelly.Didn’t make it (7): T Yosh Nijman, G Ben Braden, G Zack Johnson, G/T Coy Cronk, G Jacob Capra, G Jon Dietzen, C Jake Hanson.What changed: The Packers added Kelly on Wednesday and guard Simon Stepaniak has retired.Why: This will be like the wild, wild west. With Jenkins shifted out to left tackle to replace Bakhtiari, Runyan and Braden have split the No. 1 reps at left guard throughout training camp. I’m not entirely sure Patrick is safe. He had a solid season as a first-time, full-time starter last season but the Packers could save $2 million if they can find a competent, less-expensive option. However, he’s a favorite of Rodgers and it’s hard to see a walking-on-egg-shells Gutekunst ticking off his quarterback. Jenkins has been outstanding at left tackle, by the way. If Bakhtiari isn’t ready for the opener, it’s hard to believe they’d go with anyone other than Jenkins at New Orleans.

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Defensive line

Made it (5): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Kingsley Keke, Tyler Lancaster, TJ Slaton.Didn’t make it (3): Jack Heflin, Willington Previlon, Carlo Kemp.What changed: Nothing, other than shifting Kemp. The undrafted rookie from Michigan is listed as an outside linebacker but seems to be zeroed in on the defensive line. Why: This seems like a slam dunk, with the fifth-round pick Slaton taking the roster spot manned last year by Montravius Adams and, later, Billy Wynn and Snacks Harrison. Heflin (2021) and Previlon (2020) are undrafted free agents. Heflin (2021), Kemp (2021) and Previlon (2020) are undrafted free agents.

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Outside linebackers

Made it (4): Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Randy Ramsey.Didn’t make it (4): Tipa Galeai, Jonathan Garvin, Delontae Scott.What changed: Nothing, other that moving Kemp out of this position group.Why: The Smith Bros. and Gary commanded the overwhelming majority of the snaps last season and will do so again this season. That means any reserve spots will come down to special teams. Ramsey is one of the team’s best in that department. Garvin was one of the worst, which is why the seventh-round rookie was inactive for the second half of last season.

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Inside linebackers

Inside linebackersMade it (5): Krys Barnes, De’Vondre Campbell, Kamal Martin, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty SummersDidn’t make it (3): Oren Burks, De’Jon Harris, Ray WilbornWhat changed: Nothing.Why: There has to be some quiet optimism that this group can be much better than recent seasons. It’s dangerous to make too big of a judgment during these no-pads practices but Barnes has been excellent to start camp. He’s just so fast to the football. And Campbell, the veteran addition, has shown some juice. They have taken all the first-team reps. At this point, Summers seems to be the third linebacker. Martin hasn’t gotten a sniff of the No. 1 defense, sixth-round pick McDuffie hasn’t practiced due to a hamstring injury and Wilborn is on the COVID list, so don't count out Burks.

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Cornerbacks

Made it (6): Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Eric Stokes, Chandon Sullivan, Josh Jackson, Shemar Jean-Charles.Didn’t make it (3): Ka’dar Hollman, Kabion Ento, Stanford Samuels.What changed: Nothing, yet.Why: Jackson, a second-round pick in 2018, might be facing a do-or-die training camp. He has not gotten off to a good start. He’s given up a big play at each of the last three practices. He gets beat at the line too often and doesn’t have the recovery speed to close the gap. The preseason games will be huge for Hollman, Ento and Samuels. They aren’t getting reps against the No. 1 offense to show if they’re ready for prime time. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if one of those guys knocks Jackson off the roster.

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Safeties

Made it (4): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Henry BlackDidn’t make it (3): Will Redmond, Christian Uphoff, Innis GainesWhat changed: Black is on, Uphoff is off.Why: After missing the first three practices due to injury, Black returned on Saturday and earned some first-team reps as the sixth defensive back. Redmond, who has missed the first four practices of camp with a foot injury, has been that sixth defensive back for most of the past two seasons. He might have to win that job back after missing too many tackles last season and missing an interception in the NFC Championship Game.

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Specialists

Made it (3): K Mason Crosby, P JK Scott, LS Joe FortunatoDidn’t make it (3): K JJ Molson, P Ryan Winslow, LS Hunter BradleyWhat changed? Nothing.Why: Could time be up for 2018 draft picks Scott and Bradley? Neither player has been nearly good enough or consistent enough in his three seasons. Scott vs. Winslow could be an excellent battle. Winslow did well in a couple games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. Scott is a top-notch holder, which can't be overlooked. At long snapper, your guess is as good as mine if Fortunato can win a job after not snapping in a game since 2015 at Delaware. But there are other snappers just a phone call away unless Bradley takes a big step.

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