2023 Packers 53-man roster predictions

[Crazylegs Starks]

Much to my chagrin, they'll probably keep Newman on the active roster. I'd have cut him last training camp...

[Labrev]

Much to my chagrin, they'll probably keep Newman on the active roster. I'd have cut him last training camp...

The last OL spot was another one that I was very iffy on. I think Newman would get cut if Rhyan beats him out, but those two are basically a coin flip for me until I see some preseason games.

And if Newman doesn't improve, then I think he is what he is and you may as well just call up a guy from the Practice Squad if you are at the point where you need him to play.

[CWIMM]

Okay I think I've got a sense of it.....

QB: Love, Clipboard
RB: Jones, Dillon, Goodson
TE: Musgrave, Deguara, Davis, Kraft
WR: Watson, Doubs, Reed, Toure, Wicks, DuBose
OT: Bakhtiari, Nijman, Jones, Walker, Tenuta
IOL: Jenkins, Tom, Runyan, Myers, Rhyan

DL: Clark, Slaton, Wyatt, Wooden, Brooks, Ford
ILB: Campbell, Walker, McDuffie, Carpenter
EDGE: Gary, Smith, Enagbare, Hollins, LVN
CB: Jaire, Sul, Nixon, Valentine, Stokes
S: Savage, Moore
S: Ford, Owens, Leavitt

K: Carlson
P: O'Donnel
LS: Orzech

PS: QB A. McGough, RB L. Nichols, RB E. Wilson, FB H. Pearson, WR M. Heath, WR B. Melton, WR C. Chrest, OT K. Telfort, OL R. Newman, IOL J. Embey, DL C. Slayton, EDGE B. Cox, CB C. Ballentine, S A. Johnson Jr., S B. Sapp, P D. Whelan {+ LB K. Odumegwu, doesn't count}.


There are a few I'm iffy about (e.g. last WR spot) and subject to change based on final camp practices and preseason game performance, but I think like 45-50 of these are all but locked in.

DuBose has a lot of catching up to do as he didn't practice during the offseason as far as I know as well. Therefore I believe Melton or Heath will make the roster instead of him.

While I'm not confident in keeping Hanson and Newman around they might still be better options than Jones and Tenuta.

It's interesting that the team listed Deguara as a fullback on their first depth chart released yesterday.

Most likely agree with the rest of your take.

I think Brenton Cox has a pretty good chance to unseat Hollins, but otherwise, I might agree with absolutely everything. Innis Gaines is another tough cut with his ST value, but that is a full secondary and I don't know who the odd man out would be, but could see one of Moore, Owens, or Leavitt not making it.

I don't remember reading anything about Cox standing out in practice while Hollins has received some snaps with the first team defense. At this point I believe Hollins is the front runner to make the roster.

Leavitt is the only one out of that list I can see the Packers cut.

I would have had Cox making it if Gary started the season on IR, but it looks like he really will be ready to go on Week 1.

Ultimately, I think Cox can be stashed safely because I figure teams will want to see that he can stay on a team without incident this year. But yes, I could see them going with the younger, cheaper Cox who the team could probably control for longer, than Hollins, who's probably gone after this year and has less upside.

The Packers would only save $330K in cap space by keeping Cox over Hollins. I don't believe that will be a factor at all.

3rd RB spot is completely open, I think. Until pads are on and full contact is occurring against other teams, I don't think we really know much at all about how it shakes out behind Jones and Dillon.

Goodson has shown enough promise during camp so far to be the front runner to earn the third spot. Especially with Nichols being injured and possibly missing some time (I believe the Packers signing McCrary this week indicated Nichols won't be back any time soon).

Much to my chagrin, they'll probably keep Newman on the active roster. I'd have cut him last training camp...

Unfortunately the Packers didn't have a better option at that point and still might not.

The last OL spot was another one that I was very iffy on. I think Newman would get cut if Rhyan beats him out, but those two are basically a coin flip for me until I see some preseason games.

FWIW Rhyan has been a pleasant surprise in camp so far. I didn't expect him to step up.

[Labrev]

DuBose has a lot of catching up to do as he didn't practice during the offseason as far as I know as well. Therefore I believe Melton or Heath will make the roster instead of him.

I originally had Heath ahead of him, but Gute seldom cuts his rookie draft picks, even seventh-round guys.

I agree DuBose is behind the 8-ball and that those two are ahead of him, but I am going to bet on him. He has plenty of time to save his roster spot. Rasheed Walker saved his roster spot last year with a nice showing in the final preseason game. I think DuBose is the same kind of WR that Heath is but a bit more gifted, and he has draft-pick status over Heath.

I like Melton a lot too but we have enough fast guys not to need or miss him. Watson, Toure, and Reed are all fast. I would include Doubs among our fast guys even if his timed speed does not reflect it; he's explosive and has a knack for long receptions downfield. So I think there may be a preference for big possession targets for the last couple WR spots, one of which is all but reserved for Wicks.

[BSA]

Some roster notes

Offense:

* WR Heath is having a hard time assimilating the playbook and is a PS candidate to develop further.
MLF offense features a lot more 12 and 21 personnel which means fewer WRs on the field. Packers probably keep only 5 WR on the initial 53

* Seems like GB will only roster 2 QBs. Maybe only 2 RBs as well. Patrick Taylor is fine on PS, but Tyler Goodson might get snatched up

* GB can keep Caleb Jones and/or Rasheed Walker at OT. Leaves them thin on IOL, but OT value is higher.

Defense:

* Innes Gaines is making a play for slot CB2 behind Nixon; and he played slot corner at TCU. Gaines is a larger guy at 6'1 and 202 lbs and can handle the brutish nature of playing inside better than slighter CBs. No spot for him in Safety room, but he can be emergency safety and 6th CB

* I think Stokes might start the year on PUP, buys GB a roster spot at cutdown time and gives him more time to rehab

* Kenny Clark is moving to DE full time; that began last year but I think he'll play even less on the nose in 2023
* TJ Slaton and Jonathan Ford will take over at 0 and 1 tech. I think Ford makes the 53 with GB keeping 6 DL

* Packers moving on from both Garvin and Hamilton suggests OLB Brenton Cox has earned a spot and he isn't a complete dumbass.

* Tariq Carpenter made the switch from Safety to ILB and Bisaccia wants him on STs. At 6'3 and 230, he ran a 4.47- he's an intriguing athlete as ILB and has a good chance to stick as ILB4 over Eric Wilson.

Here's what Dane Brugler said in his draft report on Carpenter:
" Imposing size, length and explosiveness … above-average range and shows it on sideline-flowing plays … weaves through traffic and keeps himself off blockers … his long legs and quick feet allow for efficient slides to scrape/mirror at the line of scrimmage … flashes a closing burst downhill as a plant-and-go finisher … tackles with conviction and looks to tune up his target … instinctive zone drops and feels routes coming … offers position flexibility at linebacker and safety … well-versed on special teams coverages with double-digit career tackles."
.

[TheSkeptic]

I don't think a 7th round pick has any significant advantage over a UDFA. Particularly if the UDFA has a year of experience on someone's PS.

Did anyone else see Newman get pancaked on a bull rush on family night. I don't know who did that to him, could not see the number. That is not encouraging and could be the last straw for him. Rhyan takes his job and there is no point in keeping Newman as the 9th Olineman.

I think Shemar Jean-Charles is history too.

Stokes probably starts on the PUP.

[CWIMM]

* I think Stokes might start the year on PUP, buys GB a roster spot at cutdown time and gives him more time to rehab

* Kenny Clark is moving to DE full time; that began last year but I think he'll play even less on the nose in 2023

I would be surprised if Stokes ends up starting the season on the PUP list. Actually I expected him to be activated before Gary. He might have had some kind of setback during rehab as I didn't consider his injury last season to be that severe in the first place.

Clark hasn't lined up at nose tackle a whole lot since the 2020 season anymore.

[lupedafiasco]

Gonna go ahead and try.
QB: 2 Love, Clifford
RB: 3 Jones, Dillon, Wilson
WR: 6 Watson, Doubs, Reed, Toure, Heath, Wicks
TE: 4 Musgrave, Kraft, Deguara, Allen
OT: 5 Bak, Tom, Walker, Njiman, Jones
OG: 3 Jenkins, Runyan, Rhyan
C: 1 Myers
DL: 6 Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Wooden, Brooks, Ford
Edge: 5 Gary, Smith, Enagbare, Van Ness, Hollins
LB: 4 Campbell, Walker, McDuffie, Wilson
CB: 6 Alexander, Stokes, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine, Thomas
S: 5 Savage, Ford, Moore, Johnson, Owens
K: 1 Not Carlson
P: 1 Whelan
LS: 1 Orzech

[TheSkeptic]

My try, 2.0
QB: (2) - Love, Clifford
RB: (3) - Jones, Dillon, Wilson (Goodson to PS)
FB: (1) Pearson
WR: (5) Watson, Doubs, Toure, Reed, Wicks
TE: (3) Musgrave, Kraft, Deguara

Oline starters (5): Bakhtiari, Jenkins, Myers, Runyan, Tom
Oline backups (5): Walker, Rhyan, Jones. Packers will sign a Guard off other teams cut downs or a last minute trade.
Note: Nijman is gone. Walker is better than he is and several years younger.
Note: Tom is the backup center and Walker is the backup LT. If Bakh stays healthy enough to play, Walker is the backup RT too.

24

EDGE (6) - Gary, Smith, Enagbare, LVN, Hollins, Cox
ILB: (3) Campbell, Walker, McDuffie
CB: (5) Alexander, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine, Thomas (Stokes PUP)
DL: (5) Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Wooden, Brooks
S: (5) Savage, Ford, Moore, Johnson, Owens

24

K: 1 Carlson
P: 1 O'Donnel
LS: 1 Orzech
Specialists: (2) Somebody1, Somebody2

High on the list of possible ST somebodies are Taylor and Carpenter. Neither will ever take a snap baring a rash of injuries at their O or D position.

This is a roster for the future, heavy on young players with potential vs veterans with experience. Ideally Nijman gets traded for a backup guard, getting rid of his guaranteed salary - he would not be resigned for 2024/5 anyway. Only O'Donnel is a veteran who is kept over a rookie, and that is because he is a good holder for FG's - Carlson does not need a rookie holder. Taylor is a FA after this season and so is Dillon, Wilson might replace them both.

[NCF]

My current gut feelings:

OFFENSE - 24
QB: 2 Love, Clifford
RB: 2 Jones, Dillon
HB: 1 Deguara
WR: 7 Watson, Doubs, Reed, Toure, Heath, Wicks, Dubose
TE: 3 Musgrave, Kraft, VET FA
OT: 5 Bak, Tom, Walker, Njiman, Jones
OG: 3 Jenkins, Runyan, Rhyan
C: 1 Myers

DEFENSE - 26
DL: 6 Clark, Wyatt, Slaton, Wooden, Brooks, Ford
Edge: 6 Gary, Smith, Enagbare, Van Ness, Hollins, Cox
LB: 5 Campbell, Walker, McDuffie, Wilson, Carpenter
CB: 4 Alexander, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine (PUP: Stokes)
S: 5 Savage, Moore, Ford, Johnson, Leavitt

ST - 3
K: 1 Carlson
P: 1 O'Donnell
LS: 1 Orzech

[Labrev]

I need to see the last preseason game before I can give a final answer, although by this point, I expect Gute and MLF have it 99% figured out, hopefully no new injuries play any factor in the decision but that seems unlikely.

[Scott4Pack]

Instead of trying a 53, I’ll just discuss my “bubble guys.”

Cox - Our Edge group cupboard is loaded. Can this guy fit in? He still has so much potential, it’d be hard to let him go. Maybe they try him on the PS to start. Then, if somebody wants to claim him, they can promote him. I do want to see him stick in GB.

Heath - He might not be the WR that they prefer from the catching ability. (While that isn’t bad.) But his blocking ability is opening the door for him. Even before him starting with the 1s in practice today, I think he sticks for sure.

Carlson - He will stick. The Packers will exercise patience. The only question is how far they will let that patience be stretched. I guess that depends upon if this team has any margin to win the close games. (We won’t even discuss a losing season here.)

I’m really not concerned with other players too much. But I do wonder what they will do to enhance our TE group (or possibly Safety group).

[BF004]

Who are some guys who were pretty much thought of as roster guys, but maybe that’s flipped the past few weeks.

For me, Toure, Rhyan, and Hollins.

I was thinking about Daguara, but the Tyler Davis injury changed that.

I could see them keeping Dubose and Heath over Toure. None of them likely to get meaningful WR snaps, so stick with ST and upside. Not sure how they all stack up there, but you kind of already know what Toure is.

Rhyan, just haven’t seen a thing yet. Don’t think he’s gunna suit all year unless we are getting real thin. Not sure we have someone more preferable to keep, but maybe.

If Gary is back, guess I don’t see where Hollins fits in with Enegbare having an awesome camp and LVN in there too. I’d probably go with Cox in this case.

[BSA]

August 24th, things are tightening up for the 53. Swiped this format from NCF, thank you

OFFENSE - 24

QB: 2 Love, Clifford
RB: 2 Jones, Dillon
WR: 6 Watson, Doubs, Reed, Toure, Heath, Wicks
TE: 4 Musgrave, Kraft, Deguara, Allen
OT: 5 Bak,Tom, Walker, Njiman, Jones
OG: 4 Jenkins, Runyan, Rhyan, (Newman/Empey/Vet)
OC: 1 Myers

Notes:
TE Austin Allen knows the offense and Bisaccia likes his length on STs - that puts Austin ahead of most late cuts.
No reason to keep 7 WRs on this team (heavy use of 12,13, 21 personnel) and DuBose will make it to PS
Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson and maybe Emmanuel Wilson to PS
Newman vs Empey vs vet IOL for last spot on OL- fair chance a late cut might be the call here.

DEFENSE - 26
DL: 6 Clark, Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Wooden, Brooks, Ford
EDGE: 6 Gary, Smith, Enagbare, Van Ness, Hollins, Cox
LB: 4 Campbell, Walker, McDuffie, Wilson OR Carpenter, but not both
CB: 5 Alexander, Douglas, Nixon, Valentine, Gaines (PUP: Stokes)
S: 5 Savage, Ford , Moore, Owens, Leavitt (Gaines*)

Notes:
GB will likely keep Tariq Carpenter OR Eric Wilson, but probably not both ILBs
I kept Innes Gaines as Slot CB2 and Safety 5 as well as STs. There really isn't another good slot CB candidate if Nixon busts a chinstrap
Anthony Johnson Jr to PS

ST - 3
K: 1 Carlson
P: 1 O'Donnell
LS: 1 Orzech

[Scott4Pack]

Note that the talent at WR and Edge seem to make it possible/likely that we go heavy at one or both of those positions. IMHO.

7 WRs?
6 Edge?

[TheSkeptic]

Note that the talent at WR and Edge seem to make it possible/likely that we go heavy at one or both of those positions. IMHO.

7 WRs?
6 Edge?

I don't think any other team is going to grab any of the Packers end-of-roster WR's. The 2 most important considerations are whether a player is valuable on ST and whether he will make it to the PS.

Watson, Doubs, Reed and Wicks are going to get almost all of the snaps unless someone gets hurt. For the remaining 3 or 4 receivers it does not matter very much whether they are on the 53 or the PS.

Edge and ILB and TE and Safety are almost always valuable on ST - and so you go heavy on them. A 189 pound WR who likely can't tackle ( DuBose )is not someone you want on the 53, no matter how good a receiver he will eventually be. Not saying he can't tackle but it is not likely that he can get off a block by a TE and make a tackle on the kickoff defense team. Nor is it likely that he can block an ILB on the kickoff return team.

[NCF]

One thing that is driving me pretty crazy is I cannot see the Packers not keeping 5 CB's, but I don't think they have a 5th CB worthy of an opening day roster spot. I think this could be another spot where a waiver claim is made, as well as S and TE.

[BSA]

One thing that is driving me pretty crazy is I cannot see the Packers not keeping 5 CB's, but I don't think they have a 5th CB worthy of an opening day roster spot.

That's why I mentioned Innes Gaines above, everybody else is better on the outside - while he has shown the ability to be a slot CB. Gaines is a bigger DB at 6'1 202 lbs and can handle the banging inside. He's a slightly more athletic Jarret Bush 2.0 with CB, S and ST skills. Not sure you're going to find a better option on cutdown day - his versatility is what you're looking for at the end of the roster.
Maybe they get lucky and find a slot CB on the open market.. but that's a tall order.

[NCF]

Maybe they get lucky and find a slot CB on the open market.. but that's a tall order.

I guess that is where my struggle is. If you've had Gaines for 2+ seasons and don't feel great about him as CB5, is it worth a gamble on a similar player with a potentially higher ceiling? I just don't see Gaines as a player they are afraid to lose by releasing him. He might make sense on the PS, again, where he can be elevated on game days when needed. Same thing with Corey Ballentine and few other of these guys.

[YoHoChecko]

* WR Heath is having a hard time assimilating the playbook and is a PS candidate to develop further.
MLF offense features a lot more 12 and 21 personnel which means fewer WRs on the field. Packers probably keep only 5 WR on the initial 53