Examining Some Packers What-If Roster Scenerios

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Good luck to Ted Thompson as he whittles down the current Packers roster to 53 players.

We’re only a few weeks away from the start of training camp, which means it’s time to start speculating how the Packers 53-man roster might shape up.

Ted Thompson will have some tough decisions to make. There are several scenarios that could play out regarding the final roster, so let’s take a look at a few of them here.

I’ll be working off of my newest way-too-early Packers 53-man roster prediction:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB
2. Graham Harrell, QB
3. James Starks, RB
4. Alex Green, RB
5. Brandon Saine, RB
6. John Kuhn, FB
7. Greg Jennings, WR
8. Jordy Nelson, WR
9. Randall Cobb, WR
10. James Jones, WR
11. Donald Driver, WR
12. Torri Gurley, WR
13. Jermichael Finley, TE
14. Ryan Taylor, TE
15. D.J. Williams, TE
16. Bryan Bulaga, T
17. Marshall Newhouse, T
18. Derek Sherrod, T
19. Andrew Datko, T
20. Josh Sitton, G
21. T.J. Lang, G
22. Evan Dietrich-Smith, C/G
23. Ray Dominguez, G
24. Jeff Saturday, C
25. B.J. Raji, DL
26. Ryan Pickett, DL
27. Jerel Worthy, DL
28. Anthony Hargrove, DL
29. C.J. Wilson, DL
30. Lawrence Guy, DL
31. Mike Daniels, DL
32. Clay Matthews, OLB
33. Nick Perry, OLB
34. Dezman Moses, OLB
35. Vic So’oto, OLB
36. Desmond Bishop, ILB
37. A.J. Hawk, ILB
38. D.J. Smith, ILB
39. Terrell Manning, LB
40. Jamari Lattimore, LB
41. Tramon Williams, CB
42. Charles Woodson, DB
43. Sam Shields, CB
44. Casey Hayward, CB
45. Jarrett Bush, CB
46. Davon House, CB
47. Morgan Burnett, S
48. Charlie Peprah, S
49. Jerron McMillian, S
50. M.D. Jennings, S
51. Brett Goode, LS
52. Mason Crosby, K
53. Tim Masthay, P

*Physically unable to perform: Andrew Quarless.
**I’m also banking on the Hargrove situation not being resolved, allowing him to start the season on the active roster.

Here’s the breakdown by position:

QB (2), RB (4), WR (6), TE (3), OL (9), DL (7), LB (9), DB (10), Specialists (3).

Take a minute and pick that apart if you want. Don’t worry, I won’t get mad. It will change at least 50 times between now and the start of the season.

Now that you’re done picking that apart, let’s talk about some what-if scenarios regarding the Packers 53-man roster. What if the Packers keep……

7 WR
Add Diondre Borel, release Andrew Datko. The Packers can always kick Lang out to tackle if necessary and plug Evan Dietrich-Smith in at guard. Seven WRs is a lot. I don’t see this happening, especially since Jermichael Finley essentially plays like a WR.

4 TEs
Add Tom Crabtree, release Andrew Datko. Crabtree is a tough cut. He’s a good blocker, doesn’t make a fool of himself catching the ball, and can line up in the backfield.

8 O-linemen
Release Andrew Datko, add Robert Francois. Francois is like the Crabtree of the defense. He’s a good pass-defender, and you hate to cut guys who are good at at least one thing. Axing Datko lets the Packers add Francois, but 10 LBs still might be a lot to keep around.

6 D-Linemen
Release Lawrence Guy, add Robert Francois. I gave the Packers an extra D-lineman because that position group needed the most help. If the Packers stick with six D-linemen, it frees up a spot for Francois.

8 Linebackers
Release Vic So’oto, add Tom Crabtree. Here’s another way to keep Crabtree. Moses could also be the cut here if the shine on him wears off once the pads go on. I gave it to So’oto because of his injury issues last season.

That’s all for now. My head is spinning, and not in a good way.

Any other scenarios I did not include that merrit discussion?

Like I said, feel free to pick apart my roster as much as you want (that’s what the Internet is for), but remember that it’s July. I’ll be changing my mind every other hour from now until the start of the season.

As you can see, I view Datko, Crabtree, Francois, Jarius Wynn, Brad Jones and Frank Zombo as goners or on the bubble. Of those players, I’m likely way off-base on Crabtree and Francois. Both of those guys have proven they have value and can do at least one thing at a reasonably high level.

Then again, when you’re a team like the Packers with a Super-Bowl or bust attitude and talent to match, there are going to be talented players that get released.

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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 .

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23 thoughts on “Examining Some Packers What-If Roster Scenerios

  1. Good guess for this time of the year. Who thought three UDFAs in So’oto, Lattimore and Jennings would make the roster at this point last season? Lets wait for training camp to pan out and TT to surprise us.

  2. So Neal is not only suspended but released/cut/traded off this team.I don’t see that happening and would invision Wilson being let go when Neal returns.

    1. He’s not going to be on the opening 53-man because he’s suspended. (Right? I can’t keep all this stuff straight half the time)

      This is an opending-day way-too-early roster prediction. We’ll deal with Neal when he’s eligible to return.

      1. I assumed the way to early roster would be consisting of only those who are right now able to play week one.Then I saw Hargrove listed..then I figured it’s a who will be on he team period no matter how way early,because Hargrove can’t play week one as of now.
        Your post and you can hedge if you want but it takes away from the real options this early for the purpose.
        So if you had to erase Hargrove,who of Merling,Muir,Wynn is on it.
        just saying.

        1. Se my note in the post. I’m predicting the Hargrove ordeal gets tied up and he plays right away.

          But I suppose another what-if scenario is Hargrove remaining suspended. If that happens, I’m predicting Muir.

  3. I got it – Hargrove is there cause you figure there will be some sort of Star Caps injunction permitting him to play. I’m still surprised Neal hasn’t been cleared if Adderall was really what he was taking. I guess Goodell has been busy with other things.

    My guess is Guy goes if Neal is cleared, and somebody with step up and make Peprah expendable.

  4. What makes you believe Guy makes it? I’ve seen nothing from his play or from coach’s comments that imply he is on the upswing. He has size, youth, etc. but has looked like “just a guy” (pun intended).

    So’Oto has also merely “flashed” a few times early. I haven’t seen anything consistent. I think the last two OL are impossible to predict at this point–I feel like I have nothing to go on with Dominguez, Datko, and others.

    1. “What makes you believe Guy makes it?”

      Just a hunch. When guessing about the Packers roster, I’ll generally guess the younger player over an older player.

      1. Ive been enthusiastic about the -Lawrence Guy possesses since he was trafted… He’s almost a carbon copy of Cullen Jenkins from a strictly physical standpoint (Large body, decent strength, very nimble and quick).

        But let’s be honest, he’s a serious work in progress, we haven’t heard anything about his development, and most importantly…

        He’s still got a year of practice squad eligibility left.

        I would have to assume unless he turns heads on a daily basis during camp, he’s a long shot to make the roster. The Packers would much rather stash a player on PS where they can “keep them on the shelf” until injury dictates need- and in doing so, save a roster spot for a player that doesn’t have PS eligibility left. Since Guy is unlikely to garner active roster offers from other teams, it’s like the Packers get to keep an extra , and saves them from having to make a tough choice between a guy like Guy and some other developing player or a vet who may or may not fit what they are doing.

        While the Packers are big on keeping youth and potential, they also tend to rely on their scouting reports even when looking at vets who might have under performed in their careers. That’s why a guy like Muir was brought back into the fold.. And that’s also why a guy like Merling might have the edge on an active roster spot over a PS eligible guy like Guy.

  5. Guy hasn’t played in any games. So he has PS eligibility left for this entire year.

    So lets stash Guy on the PS again. That’s his ceiling right now unless he breaks out in training camp.

    As long as Datko is showing he’s recovering and gaining strength… he’s going to make the roster as the backup guard. He’s smart, versatile and has a lot of upside. Plus he’s potentially a steal and TT isn’t going to let a “look I got this guy in the 7th round and he’s a starter now” boasting fly out of the henhouse. Plus he has to negotiate with Lang soon… so he needs to have insurance behind him.

    The only person that is going to cut Crabtree is Crabtree. As long as he shows up with fire and catches a few passes he’s on the roster. DJ Williams is the guy on the bubble in the TE spot. He’s contributed nearly nothing.

    1. I’m 95% sure I’m wrong about Crabtree getting cut. But to be fair to myself, it’s not like Crabtree has done so well in his assigned role that he’s locked up the job.

      Williams could easily take a major step this season and bump him.

      1. Agreed about you being wrong. =P

        Crabtree is a great physical run-blocker and not completely useless in the pass game.

        Ryan Taylor is physical too and has special teams utility so I see DJ Williams as the odd man out if it comes down to that.

        1. Damn. I totally forgot about Taylor…..

          No more roster predictions from me for a while.

    2. The only person who was going to cut Crabtree -WAS- Quarless.

      Quarless entered the league an iffy blocker at best- last off season, he went ahead and made blocking a priority and goal, and he entered the 2011 season CLEARLY the best blocking TE on the roster. That quick transition suggests Quarless’ talent ceiling is enormous, where as Crabtree is what he is.

      Add in that Quarless is a more physically gifted receiver to all the TE’s but Finley… And that Ryan Taylor has all the fire Crabtree possesses and then some (plus he’s a all-units special Teams Ace), and it heavily suggests to me that Crabtree -WOULD HAVE- been in serious contention for being cut had Quarless not sustained serious injury last season that will likely place him on PUP or IR this year as well.

      Crabtree is an NFL TE, I have no doubts. But the Packers have assembled a very talented stable of young TEs, and I don’t think there would be room for Crabtree with a healthy QUarless and a young Taylor on the roster.

  6. First it is a very good ’53’.

    It will not be that tough for TT. The team will suffer some injury during camp. We just hope it isn’t a significant injury.

    Expect at least one or two of the 53 to go on IR for the 2012 season. The decision will be made for TT that way.

    This roster has over 40 players with a SB Ring and a second ring that they let slip from their hands. The remaining players will have to earn their spots and be willing to add to ST.

    Imagine being the vikqueens wondering if Peterson will be available (healthy and not in jail). Tale of two teams.

    1. Sometimes I imagine being a Viqueen fan. That’s when I wake up screaming and Mrs. Steve Cheez has to get out the restraints.

    1. When you’re a one-trick Pony like Walden, you better consistently pull off that trick. Last season, he didn’t.

  7. Robert Francois is not a guy I would think of if people asked “What young LB’s on the Packers roster are up and comming”.

    That said, when you look at the number of impact plays Francois made in VERY limited snaps, it’s really hard for me to say he’s a bubble player.

    In what amounts to roughly two and a half games where he played on defense last season, he totaled 13 tackles, 3 passes defended, two interceptions, and a forced fumble.

    I don’t know how Francois has crept up on us, but that’s exactly what he’s done. He’s a good LB. That’s a very good showing in terms of impact plays from a back up. A Performance that should make him an asset the Packers would like to keep.

  8. One other scenario that could emerge in the Running Backs room:

    Alex Green gets placed on PUP to “allow his knee to heal”, but in reality, it’s because the Packers want to get a longer look at a young halfback who might not really be ready for a roster spot, but won’t last on Practice Squad, either.. A certain young running back from Minnesota..

    I think Green is a real deal HB (I think he’ll be better than Starks in a year), but he’s had the ACL and he won’t really be 100% this season,although he should be able to play with some effectiveness.

    However, Du’Ane Bennett is intriguing, and I could see the Packers wanting to get an extended look while also making sure Green has all the time he needs to stabilize that knee. (I’d rather see Green get play time, personally, but I see this as a possibility).

  9. I think the list is pretty close. I don’t think Hargrove makes the team though – suspension or not. Brad Jones get the spot in his place. I think Datko stays rather than any of the scenarios (provided he is healthy). He will be snatched up by someone if the Packers try to stash him on the PS.

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