There is just one chance left for players hoping to make the Packers roster in 2025 to prove themselves, as Green Bay gears up for a final preseason matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has made it clear how much stock he puts in how players on the bubble play in exhibition games, so the final roster will not be set in stone just yet, but with cut down time just days away, here is an up to date prediction for the initial 53 (players listed in alphabetical order):
Quarterbacks (2): Jordan Love, Malik Willis
With plenty of dilemmas to work through and a rock solid backup already in place in Willis, Sean Clifford and/or Taylor Elgersma will have to make do with a practice squad spot.
Running backs (3): Chris Brooks, Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson
It is unclear how long MarShawn Lloyd will be out with his latest injury, but the Packers could place him on injured reserve and designate him to return after four games, while feeling confident about what Brooks and Wilson give them as backups in the meantime.
Wide receivers (7): Romeo Doubs, Matthew Golden, Mecole Hardman, Malik Heath, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams
I did not expect to be projecting the Packers to keep seven receivers, especially with Christian Watson set to return at some point. But both Hardman and Heath have worthy and different cases to make the team, and given the murky injury situations for Reed, Wicks and Williams ahead of Week 1, and multiple other teams looking for receiver help, I don’t see the Packers exposing Hardman or Heath to waivers.
Tight ends (3): John FitzPatrick, Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave
Ben Sims could well make the team as a fourth tight end and special teams contributor, but Green Bay may have more pressing needs and feel they can get him back on the practice squad.
Offensive line (9): Aaron Banks, Anthony Belton, Elgton Jenkins, Jacob Monk, Jordan Morgan, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Kadeem Telfort, Rasheed Walker
Too few of the back-end offensive linemen have played well enough this summer to give themselves a chance of making the team, so Telfort wins out here as the final selection. Draft pick John Williams is unlikely to see the field this year after missing the entirety of training camp, and could be put on season-ending IR as a result.
Defensive tackle (5): Warren Brinson, Karl Brooks, Kenny Clark, Colby Wooden, Devonte Wyatt
Nazir Stackhouse has shown signs of being a potential contributor, but has been quieter of late and his former Georgia teammate Brinson has simply outperformed him. Stackhouse is an ideal practice squad candidate.
EDGE (5): Brenton Cox Jr., Rashan Gary, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Lukas Van Ness
Rookie Collin Oliver has also missed all of camp and could be put on IR and designated to return. Kingsley Enagbare has firmly won his place on the roster, while the team seems to value Cox and his potential as a pass rusher. A solid top four means they can afford to wait for Sorrell to work his way back from a knee sprain.
Linebacker (5): Edgerrin Cooper, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah McDuffie, Isaiah Simmons, Quay Walker
The Isaiah Simmons experience on defense has gone from encouraging during practice to extremely concerning in preseason action, but he has been a starting gunner on special teams all summer long. He may not see the field much on defense, but he will help on teams.
Cornerback (6): Corey Ballentine, Nate Hobbs, Bo Melton, Keisean Nixon, Micah Robinson, Carrington Valentine
It speaks to how impressively Melton has handled his move to cornerback from wide receiver that he seems to be an absolute lock to make the team. While Kamal Hadden has struggled a bit of late, rookie draft pick Robinson has come along nicely and is contributing on special teams, which could be a crucial factor in making the 53. He makes it here over Hadden and Kalen King, who also has a legitimate case.
Safety (5): Zayne Anderson, Javon Bullard, Xavier McKinney, Kitan Oladapo, Evan Williams
Omar Brown’s injury removed any doubt around what Green Bay’s safety room would look like after cutdown day.