Packers roster projection: How many wide receivers will be kept on initial 53?

It’s never too early for a 53-man roster projection.

And no, this one does not include Julio Jones. My first roster projection of training camp might, though!

One tough aspect of this roster projection is guessing whether the members of Green Bay’s ACL club will be healthy enough for inclusion on the initial 53-man roster. Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins suffered his season-ending knee injury in Week 11 last year, so let’s assume he’ll start the season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), which requires him to miss at least the first six games of the season.

Running back Kylin Hill and tight end Robert Tonyan tore theirs in Week 8, so there’s a chance they’re included on the initial 53-man roster because they’ll be closer than six weeks out from playing come the cutdown deadline at 3 p.m. CT on Aug. 30. And what about David Bakhtiari? He’ll be ready for training camp, right? Right?!

Anyway, let’s dive in.

Offense

Quarterback (2): Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love

There’s no need to use a roster spot on a third quarterback when you can stash one on the practice squad in case Rodgers or Love gets hurt. That’s what the Packers did with Kurt Benkert last season. They only kept three on the active roster in 2020 because they couldn’t cut Love, but Tim Boyle was more ready to back up Rodgers than the rookie. They should be able to get Danny Etling through waivers since he’s QB3 for now after the Packers released Benkert last week.

Running back (3): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Patrick Taylor

Behind what might be the best running back tandem in the NFL is an intriguing competition for what is likely the third and final spot on the roster at the position. Taylor has impressed in limited action — he averaged 3.9 yards per rush on 23 carries with a touchdown last season. Hill was last year’s preseason darling and served as kick returner during the regular season before his injury against the Cardinals. Then there are two undrafted rookies in Iowa’s Tyler Goodson and Oregon State’s BJ Baylor, who both were uber-productive in college. The Packers might feel they can stash Hill on PUP and give him more time to heal while not having too much of a drop-off in production, if any, with Taylor as RB3.

Mark your calendars!

Dates are set for 2022 #Packers training camp 📆: https://t.co/jt1vxLRsLE #PackersCamp | #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/PIIahK47dN

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 22, 2022

Wide receiver (6): Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Amari Rodgers, Romeo Doubs

The Packers could go with seven here, but I think the seventh spot is more likely to go to a free-agent acquisition like Julio Jones instead of Juwann Winfree or Malik Taylor. They probably won’t cut a fourth-round pick (Doubs) and they’ll more than likely give Rodgers another shot after he struggled as a rookie in limited chances. Watkins’ contract doesn’t scream roster lock in the slightest, but the way his quarterback and head coach talk about him does.

“He’s going to be a big part of our offense.” — Matt LaFleur

“There’s definitely going to be opportunities for him to make plays for us in this offense.” — Aaron Rodgers

Tight end (4): Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis

Tonyan may not be ready to play Week 1, but I have a hard time believing he won’t be ready before Week 6. The Packers can’t afford to stash him like they might be able to with Hill given their need for pass-catching tight ends, of which Tonyan is their best. Davis gets the fourth and final spot over Dominique Dafney because it’s hard to ignore how several inside Lambeau Field have pumped up the quarterback-turned-tight end already this offseason. Rodgers named Davis and Deguara as two guys “set to really make a push for some reps at tight end.”

Offensive line (10): David Bakhtiari, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Cole Van Lanen, Jake Hanson, Rasheed Walker

Van Lanen got a handful of starter’s reps at right tackle during the offseason with Nijman playing left tackle while Bakhtiari rehabbed on the side, which makes me think Van Lanen is in line to snag one of the final roster spots on the line. The same line of thought goes for Hanson, who slid in at right guard when Newman took reps at right tackle with the first team. Van Lanen could be on the chopping block when Jenkins returns, however, especially if the Packers want Jenkins playing right tackle to give them the best five on the line (something LaFleur always preaches).

Defense

Defensive line (6): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton, Jack Heflin

Heflin was my last pick for the 53-man roster, if only because defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery has a soft spot for Iowa guys, being one himself. This could be the most improved group on the team if Reed delivers on expectations, Wyatt lives up to his first-round billing and Slaton makes the Year 2 jump coaches are hoping for.

Outside linebacker (4): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Randy Ramsey

Jonathan Garvin and Tipa Galeai were underwhelming last season in the snaps they played because of injuries to Za’Darius Smith and Whitney Mercilus. Ramsey missed all of last season with an ankle injury, but he’s back on the field (albeit not practicing just yet, only rehabbing on the side) and gives the Packers a key special teams player at their disposal. That’s what earns him the last spot because OLB4 won’t play much on defense, anyway, barring injuries ahead of him on the depth chart.

Inside linebacker (4): De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Ty Summers

Remember all those years the Packers trotted out serviceable yet mediocre inside linebackers? Now look at them! Not only do they return a first-team All-Pro selection in Campbell, but they devoted their first draft pick to a player in Walker they hope can allow defensive coordinator Joe Barry to mix and match with personnel more than he did last season.

Cornerback (6): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Rico Gafford

This could be the best top three at the position across the league, and teams need three good cornerbacks instead of just two in today’s game given how much dime and nickel is played. Nixon can help in the slot — so too can Darnell Savage — but I imagine one of Alexander, Douglas or Stokes will get the first crack at nickel. I’m intrigued by Gafford, who switched from wide receiver back to cornerback this offseason. His prowess at Wyoming was dwarfed by that of some guy named Josh Allen who played quarterback there, but Gafford is no slouch. He’s extremely fast, and I remember the Raiders (when I covered them) using Gafford as scout team Lamar Jackson before playing the Ravens.

Jaire Alexander didn’t plan on tackling any 49ers after missing 13 games with a shoulder injury.

Then his missed tackle set up the field goal that ended the Packers’ season.

On a healthy Jaire, now equipped with a record contract.

“The general’s back.” https://t.co/4zoTTdVy6C

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) June 9, 2022

Safety (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage Jr., Shawn Davis, Vernon Scott, Tariq Carpenter

It remains to be seen whether Carpenter, the rookie seventh-rounder from Georgia Tech, will stay at safety or be more of an inside linebacker because of his build (6-foot-3, 230 pounds). Davis is the third safety based on offseason reps, which isn’t a great sign for Scott. That spot is up for grabs after the Packers didn’t bring back exclusive right free-agent Henry Black, who held the role in 2021.

Special teams

Kicker (1): Mason Crosby

The Packers have gone from J.J. Molson to Dominik Eberle to now Gabe Brkic as Crosby’s competition, but I think the 16th-year kicker who’s never missed a game will prevail, just like he has every other time the Packers have brought in competition at the position.

Punter (1): Pat O’Donnell

O’Donnell will probably run unopposed. Carry on.

Long snapper (1): Jack Coco

Steven Wirtel wasn’t great last season, so perhaps new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia looks for a fresh start at a position that hurt the Packers in 2021.

(Photo of Sammy Watkins: Mark Hoffman / USA Today)