The Green Bay Packers will trim their roster to 53 players in less than a week. It's almost decision time.
Despite having all of training camp and two preseason games to determine who makes the cut, the picture is no clearer at the backup quarterback and kicker positions. Nobody seems to want the jobs. Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt combined for zero points in the preseason loss to the Denver Broncos, while the Packers' kickers can't stop missing.
The Packers need to consider their options at quarterback, which could include signing a veteran. Can they trust Clifford or Pratt to start regular-season games if Jordan Love gets hurt?
They shouldn't take the risk, and in this 53-man roster prediction, we consider an alternative.
Quarterbacks (2)
- Jordan Love
- Ryan Tannehill
Sean Clifford has struggled with turnovers all summer. He threw another pick in the preseason loss to the Broncos and was taken out of the game with seconds remaining in the first half. It felt like a preseason benching, if that's possible. Michael Pratt didn't do much better when he entered the game, averaging 3.3 yards per pass and losing a fumble.
Pratt has shown promise this summer but could use a year on the practice squad. In the meantime, the Packers need a backup who is ready to start in the event of a Jordan Love injury.
Enter Ryan Tannehill. The former Pro Bowler is the best free-agent quarterback, and the Packers have the cap space to sign him to a one-year deal. The rebuild is over. The Packers are Super Bowl contenders and need a capable backup. Tannehill would provide that.
Running backs (4)
- Josh Jacobs
- AJ Dillon
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Emanuel Wilson
Emanuel Wilson has led the way for Green Bay's rushing attack in the preseason and deserves a roster spot for his performances. MarShawn Lloyd remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and the Packers may prefer the additional depth until he returns. The longer Lloyd is out, the more Wilson's chances of making the roster increase.
AJ Dillon's roster spot is safe. Matt LaFleur's decision to sit him in the second preseason game effectively confirmed that.
Wide receivers (6)
- Christian Watson
- Romeo Doubs
- Jayden Reed
- Dontayvion Wicks
- Bo Melton
- Grant DuBose
Second-year Grant DuBose struggled in the second preseason game, but he is deservedly in 53-man roster consideration after an impressive camp. Passing game coordinator Jason Vrable said the Packers have used videos of DuBose's blocking as an example to the rest of the team. That's the kind of work that earns a roster spot. He has also contributed on special teams.
The former seventh-round pick has done everything he needed to make the roster. He can secure his spot with one final solid performance against the Baltimore Ravens.
Tight ends (3)
- Luke Musgrave
- Tucker Kraft
- Ben Sims
Keeping extra depth at other positions meant cutting back elsewhere, including tight end. Tyler Davis has struggled in the preseason. His 33.9 PFF grade is the worst of any Packers player on offense through the opening two games. Green Bay maintains continuity with its top three and expects big things from Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.
Offensive linemen (9)
- Rasheed Walker
- Elgton Jenkins
- Josh Myers
- Jordan Morgan
- Zach Tom
- Andre Dillard
- Sean Rhyan
- Jacob Monk
- Kadeem Telfort
After a slow start to the summer, things are looking up for the offensive line. Andre Dillard has PFF's highest grade for pass-blocking among all offensive linemen in the preseason. The former first-round pick has made good progress.
Sean Rhyan remains in contention for a starting job, while rookie Jacob Monk has shown his versatility. Kadeem Telfort's performance was one of the few positives against the Broncos.
Jordan Morgan is close to fully healthy. Hopefully, he gets some snaps in the preseason finale.
Defensive linemen (10)
- Rashan Gary
- Kenny Clark
- T.J. Slaton
- Preston Smith
- Lukas Van Ness
- Kingsley Enagbare
- Brenton Cox Jr.
- Devonte Wyatt
- Karl Brooks
- Colby Wooden
The Packers' defensive line is a huge positive to come from training camp. There aren't too many questions ahead of cutdown day. Can Jonathan Ford do enough to steal a roster spot? He has performed well in the preseason but may miss out due to Green Bay's depth along the defensive line. It's something to monitor during Thursday's joint practice with Baltimore.
Linebackers (6)
- Quay Walker
- Edgerrin Cooper
- Isaiah McDuffie
- Eric Wilson
- Ty'Ron Hopper
- Kristian Welch
Rookie Edgerrin Cooper may have lost his starting job while sidelined with a groin injury. Eric Wilson and Kristian Welch have put together impressive preseason performances, which could be enough to secure roster spots. Their ability to play special teams helps.
The Packers need good depth at linebacker to play Jeff Hafley's 4-3 system, and with Cooper being eased back from injury, keeping six on the 53 makes a lot of sense.
Cornerbacks (5)
- Jaire Alexander
- Eric Stokes
- Carrington Valentine
- Keisean Nixon
- Corey Ballentine
Rookie Kalen King misses out in this prediction despite making plays this summer. The seventh-rounder would hopefully clear waivers and return to the practice squad. King is likely a slot-only corner in this defense, but with Keisean Nixon, Javon Bullard, and potentially Evan Williams ahead of him, it's difficult to justify the roster spot.
Safeties (5)
- Xavier McKinney
- Javon Bullard
- Evan Williams
- Anthony Johnson Jr.
- Kitan Oladapo
Wow. What a difference one offseason can make. The new-look safety room is everything the Packers hoped it would be. Xavier McKinney is a star, and rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams can't stop making plays. Anthony Johnson Jr. has also shown signs of making a second-year jump. There's a lot to love about this group's potential.
Special Teams (3)
- Anders Carlson
- Daniel Whelan
- Matt Orzech
Anders Carlson may have won the job based on Greg Joseph's declining performances. Joseph missed the Packers' only kick in the second preseason game—and it was a mile wide-right—before reportedly going 1/4 during Tuesday's practice. According to Andy Herman's count, Carlson is 80.3 percent on kicks this summer, but Joseph is down to 77.9 percent.
It's Carlson's job to lose, and he'll aim to extend his lead in the final week of the preseason.
