AllGreenBayPackers.com Staff: Final 53-man Roster Predictions

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GREEN BAY PACKERS 53-Man Roster Predictions
QUARTERBACKS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers Rodgers
Flynn Flynn Flynn Flynn Flynn Flynn
Harrell Harrell Harrell Harrell Harrell Harrell
RUNNING BACKS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant
Starks Starks Starks Starks Starks Starks
Green Green Green Green Green Green
Kuhn Kuhn Kuhn Kuhn Kuhn Kuhn
Johnson
WIDE RECEIVERS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Jennings Jennings Jennings Jennings Jennings Jennings
Driver Driver Driver Driver Driver Driver
Nelson Nelson Nelson Nelson Nelson Nelson
Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones Jones
Cobb Cobb Cobb Cobb Cobb Cobb
West West Gurley Gurley Gurley
TIGHT ENDS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Finley Finley Finley Finley Finley Finley
Quarless Quarless Quarless Quarless Quarless Quarless
Taylor Taylor Williams Taylor Taylor Taylor
Crabtree Crabtree Crabtree Crabtree Crabtree Crabtree
 Williams Williams Williams
OFFENSIVE LINE
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Clifton Clifton Clifton Clifton Clifton Clifton
Wells Wells Wells Wells Wells Wells
Sitton Sitton Sitton Sitton Sitton Sitton
Bulaga Bulaga Bulaga Bulaga Bulaga Bulaga
Lang Lang Lang Lang Lang Lang
Newhouse Newhouse Newhouse Newhouse Newhouse Newhouse
Sherrod Sherrod Sherrod Sherrod Sherrod Sherrod
McDonald Dietrich-Smith McDonald Smith Dominguez McDonald
Dietrich-Smith Schlauderaff Smith Smith Smith
DEFENSIVE LINE
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Raji Raji Raji Raji Raji Raji
Pickett Pickett Pickett Pickett Pickett Pickett
Neal Neal Neal Neal Neal Neal
Green Green Green Green Green Green
Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson
Wynn Wynn Wynn Wynn Wynn Wynn
LINEBACKERS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Matthews Matthews Matthews Matthews Matthews Matthews
Hawk Hawk Hawk Hawk Hawk Hawk
Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop Bishop
Walden Walden Walden Walden Walden Walden
Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith
Zombo Zombo Zombo Zombo Zombo Zombo
Francois Francois Francois Francois Francois Francois
So’oto So’oto So’oto So’oto So’oto So’oto
Jones Jones Jones
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Woodson Woodson Woodson Woodson Woodson Woodson
Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams
Shields Shields Shields Shields Shields Shields
Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush
House House House House House House
Collins Collins Collins Collins Collins Collins
Burnett Burnett Burnett Burnett Burnett Burnett
Peprah Peprah Peprah Peprah Peprah Peprah
Lee Gordy Underwood Underwood Lee Lee
Lee
SPECIALISTS
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Crosby Crosby Crosby Crosby Crosby Crosby
Masthay Masthay Masthay Masthay Masthay Masthay
Goode Goode Goode Goode Goode Goode
PRACTICE SQUAD
Zach Thomas Kris Adam Chad Jersey Al
Lattimore Lattimore Lattimore Lattimore Lattimore Lattimore
Hoese Saine Saine Saine Saine Saine
Gurley Gurley Taylor Hoese Taylor Hoese
Guy Guy Guy Guy Guy Guy
Jennings Jennings Jennings Jennings Jennings Jennings
Schlauderaff Dominguez Gurley Schlauderaff Schlauderaff Dominguez
Jackson Taylor Gordy Gordy Gordy Gordy
Dominguez Elmore Hoese Elmore Hoese Campbell
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Chad Toporski, a Wisconsin native and current Pittsburgh resident, is a writer for AllGreenBayPackers.com. You can follow Chad on twitter at @ChadToporski

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23 thoughts on “AllGreenBayPackers.com Staff: Final 53-man Roster Predictions

  1. Status of Hoese injury?

    9 LB’s not likely

    NEAL?

    Doubt they carry 6 WR’s. Swan last year had 6 catches all year.

    1. Add to that:

      Pick up a vetran Olineman off the waiver wires (Won’t be too difficult to find someone better than the 8th and/or 9th Packer Olinemen)

      Pick up a veteran DE off the waiver wires. (Remember Howard Green)

      Both would be insurance policies

      1. I could see the Packers going that way, but not at the beginning of the season. Just like Howard Green, it took some injuries and Thompson finding out what he had at DE depth before he went out to find someone else. My feeling is that whoever is the 8th/9th OL will have to prove that they aren’t good enough first before Thompson starts looking.

    2. A couple years ago the “big 5” (the 5 WR set) was a big “wow” set for the Packers offense (sort of like the psycho package for the defense). But due to a bunch of injuries that really hasn’t shown up much since then (also you have to keep Finley on the field). Last year the top 4 wide receivers saw a lot of time on the field and if one of them was to get hurt then having an extra WR on the roster could help.

  2. Hide Zombo and House on the IR for a couple of weeks. Probably got let Lee or Bush go later in season. West gets cut in favor of Gurley.

    1. Unfortunately, you cannot “hide” players on IR, once a player gets placed on IR, they are out for the entire season; this rule was put in place so teams wouldn’t fake injuries and swap players in and out of the IR. For instance Ryan Grant has mentioned that he would have been ready for the post-season if the Packers had left him on the roster, but since he was on IR they couldn’t

  3. Kris, do you really think they’re going to cut Taylor?

    They should IR Zombo and use So’oto as his replacement for this year. It’s a gamble, but it at least opens up a roster spot. It’s not that Zombo is lights-out anyway.

    1. I agree, there is no way Ryan Taylor gets cut, and while Frank Zombo is a solid player, the way some people clamor over him, you’d think he was a pro-bowler.

      I’ve had an eye on So’Oto since he was acquired, just because when I researched him his measurables screamed out his potential to be an impact OLB in the 3-4 (assuming he had some talent). Prototypical DE/OLB hybrid size, great combination of good speed at that size and EXCELLENT strength… Enough strength to mix it up with the hogs on the line and dominate TE’s and RB’s, enough speed to blow by lineman and make things difficult for RB’s and TE’s.

      Also, seems humble. after the AZI game, he told a reporter that strength is his game, and he is, and a quote, “A horrible technician” right now, and he needs to work on all facets of his game when it comes to technique, and he wants to be great. He got away with overpowering people his whole life, and knows he needs to improve to play at this level.

      Well, So’oto definitely got away with it last night, but being a horrible technician means that his ceiling is extremely high and his talent is still untapped. Can’t wait to see if this kid develops.

      1. Side note on So’oto’s pick six last night:

        Notice Vic’s pluck n’ tuck on that play? Grabbed it high and away from his body, pulled it in instantly and smoothly without breaking stride??

        So’oto grew up playing TE until college.
        Nice hands.

      2. I’ve watch So’oto closely each game, for the same reasons as you – perfect 3-4OLB size/speed. He started out very unsure of himself and seemed a bit slow to react. We wondered at the time if it was just nerves, and perhaps that was the case, he has looked more and more comfortable in each game and in game four, looked uncannily comfortable and confident. What a progression is 4 weeks!

  4. I’d rather see Nance on the roster than a 6th WR. And here’s why.

    Grant is probably gone next year. Nance has finally got the system down, and looks like he’s come a long way in pass pro, too. He’s a down hill runner. Would be a good #2, #3 back when Grant leaves.

    I know, DD won’t be around forever. I get that. But I’m less concerned with his departure than Grant’s. Donald retires, and we probably slightly IMPROVE on the field at WR. Jennings, Nelson/Jones, Cobb? No issues with that depth. Our 5th WR has always been a decent WR for depth, probably better than most #5’s around the league, but clearly you don’t need a star at #5… And if the Packers have proven one thing since TT took the reigns, their scouting department can spot a WR with talent from a mile away, be it mid-round draft pick to UFA..

    Can’t say the same for RB’s, so I say who cares about keeping a 6th WR, let’s keep a 4th HB.

    As far as OL goes, it may seem thin to only keep 8 OL, but we don’t have a 9th OL worth keeping on the roster. I think if anything, look for a FA signing or the Packers hit the waiver wire for a guy they had their eye on but didn’t get there hands on this off season.

    1. I hate to say it this way, but it seems like you can find a decent running back in the trash. Grant was an undrafted free agent, Starks was a 6th rounder, and Arian Foster, last years rushing champion was a undrafted free agent as well. I would argue that if Saine gets stashed onto the practice squad this year, he’ll probably be at Nance’s level next year as well. I like Nance and I think he’s a decent player, but I don’t see anything wildly special about him. Especially when it comes to the running back position, most peak after a year or two and that’s it, and while Nance has only been in the NFL for a year, that’s almost half a career for an average running back (which is 3 years).

      Wide receivers on the other hand can play into the 30’s without much trouble, Driver has done it, and players like Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens are still semi decent players, on the other hand Clinton Portis, once a really great running back is having trouble finding teams willing to try him out.

      1. Backs are a dime a dozen, but I contend that RB’s are not plug and play in MM’s offense with such a premium being placed on pass pro in a concept-heavy offense.

        There’s a reason when Nance was inserted last year he was typically put in motion (besides being good joke material). His pass pro wasn’t up to snuff, but at least with some motion they could hope to get the D to perhaps tip their hand a bit.

        This is also the reason Starks wasn’t featured until late in the season after he came off PUP, MM didn’t trust him quite yet.

        Nance very quietly had a very good camp, he has real, although limited, NFL experience, and he knows the system.

        For the record, a year and a half, well- that’s actually half the career for the average NFL player, period. 😉

        Saine can still go P.S. assuming he clears waivers, I don’t know that Nance has any eligibility left, coming from ATL’s PS and getting many games with the Packer’s active roster last year.

        Also of note, per MM: “The closer to the ball a player is in our offense, the more responsibility they have”. In other words, Wideouts don’t have a lot put on their plate. RB’s do. Just another reason why I’d rather keep a 4th HB that shows promise who’s been with the team for a full year over a 6th WR who’s been with the team for a year or two who shows promise.

        1. I’m almost positive that Nance is not practice squad eligible considering he was the #2 back until Starks got off the PUP and even then Starks and Nance were fighting to get on the active roster.

          I can’t recall the exact specifics of the McCarthy quote but I seem to recall him saying that in reference to the offensive line, I’m not entirely sure if that applies to the entire offensive unit.

          1. Thomas, he was actually talking about WR’s, commenting that playing the slot is more of a responsibility that playing on the peripheral, but went on to say that in his offense as a whole, the closer to the ball you line up, the more responsibilities (in protection, etc).

  5. Zach, Thomas, Kris, Adam, and Chad,
    How can any one of you honestly believe that Gurley and/or Taylor would clear waivers to wind up on the practice squad. They’d both be gone faster than you can say Bye, Bye, Brad!

  6. Said before don’t see DJ Williams getting cut as a draft pick with big potential. That said he may not get a huge amount of playing time this year. Just can’t see 6 WR with the receiving potential of the TE group. Gurley may clear waivers and reach the PS. Like Al Adam and Zach I think we keep 9LB purely because of the Zombo injury so Jones stays by default. 8th and 9th OL will be interesting as will 9th (and 10th ?? DB)

    1. I realize it’s unlikely that Williams is cut, but that was my way of expressing my displeasure over his horrendous pass blocking. He is going to get a QB killed…

      1. That’s pretty much what Bob McGinn was stating when the DJ Williams love fest was in full swing- While everyone was talking about DJ Williams the amazing receiver, McGinn said he’s an decent receiver who needs to seriously step up his blocking if he wants a chance to even stick.

        1. Fair enough Al 🙂

          Think Williams may essentially be the 6th WR this year can’t see them trusting Rodgers to his pass blocking if it was as bad as it sounded on Thursday..

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