The preseason came to a close with the Green Bay Packers’ 30-7 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, and the league’s cutoff date — Tuesday afternoon — is quick approaching.
Coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged the Packers will have to make some tough roster decisions in the next few days. Between now and Tuesday, LaFleur will work with general manager Brian Gutekunst and the rest of the staff to build consensus on the first 53-man roster and practice squad.
Instead of 53-man roster predictions, here’s a look at the toughest decisions facing the Packers:
Which backup quarterback?
Neither Sean Clifford nor Michael Pratt have impressed this summer, which opens up the possibility that the Packers will need to make an outside addition behind Jordan Love at quarterback. There are a few paths forward here. The Packers could keep Clifford and release Pratt, hoping to keep him on the practice squad. They could release Clifford and keep Pratt, hoping for potential, although the seventh-round rookie didn’t look ready to play in a regular-season game. They could release both Clifford and Pratt, hoping to get one of them back on the practice squad, and sign the veteran backup.
How many running backs are there?
AJ Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd are both dealing with injuries, and LaFleur wasn’t sure if either would be ready for Week 1. Emanuel Wilson has been great again this summer and earned a spot on the 53-man roster; in fact, he could enter Week 1 as a backup behind Josh Jacobs if Dillon and Lloyd continue to hobble. New NFL rules allow teams to place up to two players on the injured reserve list at the roster cutoff and still return, and Dillon and Lloyd are candidates for that designation. The Packers could be required to have four running backs on the starting 53.
Six or seven recipients?
Bo Melton, Malik Heath and Grant DuBose are all legitimate NFL receivers, and all three have made compelling arguments to make the 53-man roster. It would be shocking if the Packers didn’t keep at least six receivers, so it’s possible they could draft two of Melton, Health and DuBose. While it’s tough to predict based on the numbers, the Packers could also keep all three and play seven receivers at the start of the regular season. All three could play special teams, so something would have to be sacrificed elsewhere, perhaps at tight end, linebacker or defensive end. The Packers may have to decide which receiver has the best chance of making the practice squad.
How many offensive linemen are there?
The Packers like to be deep and versatile on the offensive line, so it’s likely they’ll keep nine or more. The top eight looks relatively plain, with Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers and Zach Tom as starters, Sean Rhyan and Jordan Morgan as the top options at right guard, and Jacob Monk and Andre Dillard as the top backups. Who will move on from there? Royce Newman has experience but hasn’t really developed. Kadeem Telfort has been used on both the left and right sides of the secondary. Travis Glover is a sixth-round pick who has flashed potential but needs time. Caleb Jones and Luke Tenuta have been mostly third-string options and should be considered long shots.
Is there a chance for six defensive point guards?
It’s likely they’ll keep five defensive ends, and Brenton Cox Jr. and Arron Mosby have been impressive this summer. Cox Jr. led the team in pressures, while Mosby has made several disruptive plays, including a fourth-down pass breakup in the first game, a sack in Denver, and a strip sack and interception in the final game. The Packers would likely like to keep both players, with one on the 53 and the other on the practice squad, but is there a chance they’ll keep both on the starting lineup? Mosby’s performance in the final game could change the math of the lineup, especially since he can play on special teams.
Can Kristian Welch do it?
Quay Walker, Eric Wilson, Isaiah McDuffie, Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper are sure bets, but what about Welch, who has three interceptions and is a great special teams player? Keeping six linebackers makes sense in a 4-3 baseline, and Welch would be a primary special teams option for Rich Bisaccia. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Packers reward Welch for all his good work this summer with a roster spot.
How many corners are there?
The top four — Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine — are already in place, and Corey Ballentine is a good candidate for No. 5. Do the Packers want to keep more than five? Robert Rochell had a good summer, especially on special teams, but is dealing with a novel hip injury. Rookie Kalen King has flashed big-time quarterback potential but needs time. The Packers probably can’t risk putting King on waivers.
Who are the specialists?
The only sure thing among the specialists is punter Daniel Whelan. Matt Orzech is the only long snapper on the roster, but it’s possible the Packers will try to upgrade after final cuts. At kicker, all options are on the table. The inconsistency of Anders Carlson and Greg Joseph has to be jarring for the Packers, and the waiver wire likely provides three to four potential options. After hunting down kicker competition all offseason, the Packers may have to start over with Week 1 less than two weeks away.
