Adam Czech: My Initial Packers 53-man Roster Prediction

ALLGBP.com All Green Bay Packers All the Time
Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson
Packers GM Ted Thompson has some tough roster decisions to make after Thursday's preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Graham Harrell (3)

Running Backs: Ryan Grant, James Starks, Alex Green, John Kuhn (4)

Wide Receivers: Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Randall Cobb, Tori Gurley (6)

Tight Ends: Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless, Tom Crabtree, Ryan Taylor (4)

Offensive Line: Chad Clifton, Derek Sherrod, T.J. Lang, Marshall Newhouse, Scott Wells, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Josh Sitton, Caleb Schlauderaff, Bryan Bulaga (9)

Defensive Line: B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson, Mike Neal, Howard Green, Jarius Wynn (6)

Linebacker: Clay Matthews, Desmond Bishop, AJ Hawk, Frank Zombo, Erik Walden, Robert Francious, Vic So’oto, D.J. Smith (8)

Defensive Backs: Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush, Davon House, Pat Lee, Nick Collins, Morgan Burnett, Charlie Peprah, Brandon Underwood (10)

Specialists: Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode (3)

Random Thoughts

  • TE D.J. Williams looked intriguing after the Packers drafted him, but does Green Bay really need another pass-catching TE behind Jermichael Finley and Andrew Quarless?
  • The reserve OL spots are tough to predict unless you’re watching these guys every day in practice. I also think the Packers value linemen that understand the pass-blocking schemes and won’t miss an assignment that could get Rodgers killed. If any of the reserves blow an assignment on Thursday, they might be out the door.
  • Capers likes to keep 10 DBs. That’s why Lee stays.
  • I think the Packers are a little worried about Driver’s health, so that’s why they keep six WRs. I chose Gurley over West because Gurley is bigger.
——————

Adam Czech is a a freelance sports reporter living in the Twin Cities and a proud supporter of American corn farmers. When not working, Adam is usually writing about, thinking about or worrying about the Packers. Follow Adam on Twitter. Twitter .

——————

11 thoughts on “Adam Czech: My Initial Packers 53-man Roster Prediction

  1. I like your list, with just a few quibbles. Don’t know if you guys read each others before selecting. The choices show up a lot more clearly after looking at the various takes.

    Some comments on your comments:

    Wr: good point about Driver.

    TE: The Packers want Williams in case they don’t re-sign Finley. Crabtree seems like the odd man out.

    OL: I think you have it right for the current status, but agree that could change tonight.

    DB: They kept only 9 in 2009. so 9 or 10 is a toss-up. Underwood seems to be behind Lee and Gordy, unless practice has been radically different than games?

    Overall, I think they keep Johnson. None of the other blockers does what he can. That means either Crabtree goes or only 9 DB.

    I think they

  2. After reading through the projected 53’s seems a lot have Brad Jones going. I can see the logic but feel it’s unlikely with Zombo starting the season injured. Can’t see us going say 4-5 games with an unproven raw rookie in So’oto as the primary back up at OLB.

    Don’t see DJ Williams getting cut -draft pick with a lot of potential shortened pre season think he stays as does Taylor if a TE goes it’s Crabtree but I think they all stick.

    Think we probably go 9LB and 9DB with 3 true safeties and Bush and can’t see 6WR with Finley essentially a WR hybrid and all the other TE’s ok to good receivers.

    * I reserve the right to forget about this post when it is all proven wrong..

  3. I had a hard time keeping 10 DBs. I wanted to keep nine, but I get the feeling that Capers wants as many coverage type guys as possible.

    Williams was a tough cut, perhaps they keep him and let a WR go.

    Crabtree stays. He’s solid at what he does and the Packers will keep him over Williams.

    Jones was also a tough cut. Perhaps he stays over Francious?

  4. I would get rid of underwood and put gordy in that spot. Underwood moving strictly to safety is a very bad omen for him. Especially since MD Jennings has outplayed him. Underwood was thin for a corner, putting him at safety was a death blow. brandian ross could take Lee’s spot as well. Lee was a second round pick so he might be slightly more expensive than Ross, and Lee has been abused.

    No way DJ Williams gets cut. Taylor and Crabtree are kind of redundant. I like crabs but i think he gets the axe before williams.

    I do not think schlauderaff makes the roster. he has not looked good at all from everything that i have read.

    West of Gurley are a toss up. Gurley started slow but it sounds like he makes a play every day at camp. and 5 blocked punts in practice is nothing to overly discount. The guy has a SEVEN FOOT WINGSPAN. I really like west a lot, but i think Gurley could bring a different dimension to the WR corp, but I agree that the pack has to keep one of them this year.

    1. So how can you say that Crabtree and Taylor are redundent? When you look at Finley, Quarless, and Williams are all the same. The difference between Crabtree and Taylor vs the othe guys is that they are very good on special teams. I thought Quarless was drafted last year to protect the Packers if Finley leaves?

      1. Agree w/ your Quarless take. I say Crabtree stays because he proved he could do the job last year.

    2. I agree with you on Schlauderaff, I see them keeping Dominguez and sending Caleb to the PS.
      The biggest challenge for the staff I see will be at DB, who to keep, who to let go?

  5. I too take Gurley over West for the same reason, you can’t teach 6’4″ and an 86″ wingspan! But, I see them counting Ryan Taylor as a Fullback to justify the move and keeping D.J. Williams. I think D.J. has been better than his numbers due to poor throws sent his way. This means 1 of the DB’s must go, and that move is anybody’s guess. I could see TT keeping young ‘potential’ over Underwood or Lee. Wow, this is going to be tough, as usual TT and Co. do such a good job selecting guys that all the other teams must now be waiting and drooling for the Packer’s cuts. We’ll see in a few days.

Comments are closed.