2017-18 Green Bay Packer Roster Prediction

[OnTheBlack]

Updated predictions

 

* Denotes a starter. Bold indicates on the 53 man roster.

QB(2):: Pretty easy here. Callahan sticks because Hundley is close to be traded.

- 53-man: Rodgers*, Hundley

- PS: Hill

 

RB(5):

- 53-man: Montgomery*, Ripkowski, Williams, Jones, Mays

- PS: Phillips

 

TE(3):

- 53-man: Bennett*, Rodgers, Kendricks

 

WR(6):

- 53-man: Nelson*, Adams*, Cobb*, Allison, Davis, Janis

- PS: Clark, McCaffrey, Yancey, Dupre - Not all 4 will make it to the PS. Someone will be claimed.

NOTE: Allison has a 1 week suspension, so I'd guess Yancey or McCaffrey makes the cut initially

 

OL(9):

- 53-man: Bulaga*, Linsley*, Taylor*, Bakhtiari*, Spriggs, Evans*, Murphy, Barclay, Waiver Claim

- PS: Gray or Amichia

 

DL(5):

- 53-man: Daniels*, Clark*, Lowry*, Francois, Ringo

- IR: Adams

 

OLB(6):Keep as many as possible for depth.

- 53-man: Perry*, Matthews*, Fackerell, Elliot, Brooks, Gilbert

- PUP: Biegel

 

ILB(3): Save an ILB and add a S instead. The new defense...

- 53-man: Ryan*, Martinez*, Thomas

 

S(5):

- 53-man: HHCD*, Burnett*, Jones, Evans, Brice

 

CB(6):

- 53-man: Randall*, House*, Rollins, King, Gunter, Hawkins,

- PS: Brown, Pipkins

 

ST (3):

- 53-man: Crosby, Vogel, Goode

 

This looks almost exactly like I would do it with only a couple of differences. I think on the OL Pankey has at outside shot to make the roster and if not is a lock for the PS if he's not claimed. Just too big, physical and versatile. I hope you're right about Gilbert.

 

And I'm also pretty sure the more we agree on what the final roster will look like, the more you can count on a couple big shakeup's and TT doing a couple things we never saw coming!

 

QB-(2)

Rodgers, Hundley

PS-Hill-That throw he made when he scrambled was big time because he shows he's developing from a guy who just takes off when his first read isn't there to a guy who can use his feet while keeping his eyes downfield. If another team claims him, it only hurts him and his future development. Let him learn from McCarthy and Van Pelt and company for a couple years. He should be the backup next year assuming Hundley is traded after this year and not before.

 

RB-(5)

Montgomery, Mays, Williams, Jones, Rip

PS-I think Phillips..I wonder if the Packers think they can find other RB's though. With 3 rookies already, not sure they keep him, though I would like it if they did.

 

TE-(3)Bennett, Kendricks, Rodgers

PS-I think Peck has a shot to make the PS here. He looked decent, including a couple of nice blocks both inline and downfield.

 

OL-(8)David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Corey Linsley, Jahri Evans, Lane Taylor, Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, Don Barclay

I don't think they add anyone here. I think maybe they SHOULD, but I don't think they do. If they went with 9 I think Pankey, not Patrick would be the next guy, but I appear to be in the minority there as I keep hearing about how much they like Patrick.

PS-Pankey/Gray-

I would love it if they could spend a full year developing these two. Both are ideal guards, they're both really physical, great size, length...everything you need. I think they have really high upside. But I don't think Gray could even compete against a guy like Sheldon Richardson in week 1.

 

And I've been with you on Amichia for a while. I don't see anything there. TT makes some great picks...and maybe with that goes missing so badly on some of these types of moves.

 

WRer-(7)Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Jeff Janis, Trevor Davis, DeAngelo Yancey, Malachi Dupre

Suspension-Allison

PS-Clark, then hopefully whoever is displaced will end up back with the team on the PS.

This has been discussed. This is where I could see the biggest surprise coming from(or a trade) and I think they go with 7 once again here. Unless they can trade a guy like Davis for a OL, I think they keep 7, especially with Nelson's age, Adam's looming free agency and the questions about Cobb's production, contract and health.

 

DL-(5)Daniels, Clark, Lowry, Francois, Ringo

IR-Adams(agree with you here...not a good start for a guy who was a questionable pick to begin with. You can bring back 2 guys from IR now so maybe he comes back if someone goes down, but I wouldn't waste a roster spot on a guy who at beast won't make an impact for 6 weeks with the depth we've got here.

PS-Price

This is the best group I think we've had in a while. I'm a bit worried about our OLB'ers, but I think we'll end up going with 3 DL more this year just because they're really good pass rushers and good vs the run. Clark has transformed his body, Lowry looks like a poor mans Watt(ok, very poor, but that's still good). And Daniels is Daniels. I also like Ringo as opposed to Price, but Price looks like he could provide good depth either now if they choose to go with him or in the future where he could take Francois' place.

 

OLB(6) 53-man: Perry, Matthews, Fackerell, Elliot, Brooks, Gilbert

- PUP: Biegel

PS-Calvin

Calvin looks like he could develop. This group makes me feel a lot better with the addition of Brooks, otherwise it's really a MASSIVE question mark. Can Matthews and Perry stay healthy? If those two could be healthy for 28 games between the two of them, I think you could get 25 sacks out of them. But that's hoping for a lot.

 

Demovsky has Gilbert getting waived right now and I think he might be the toughest decision the Packers have to make. He looked like someone who could contribute this pre-season. And he's solid vs the run. Elliot looks like the most likely to be cut. He's kinda like the Janis of the OLB'ers. A key special teamer who has flashed at times playing from scrimmage, but has been inconsistent. A breakout season from him would go a long way to solidifying this group.

 

ILB(3): Save an ILB and add a S instead. The new defense...

- 53-man: Ryan*, Martinez*, Thomas

 

S(5):

- 53-man: HHCD*, Burnett*, Jones, Evans, Brice

 

CB(6):

- 53-man: Randall*, House*, Rollins, King, Gunter, Hawkins,

- PS: Brown, Pipkins

 

ST (3):

- 53-man: Crosby, Vogel, Goode

 

I just cut and pasted the last 4 positions. I think those look pretty obvious.

 

Gunter was reportedly fighting for a spot on the team but it doesn't make any sense to let him go at this point. There's nobody else who's shown enough. Hawkins looks like he could be a guy who could come in later in the year and contribute. Just as long as he doesn't have the mental mistakes he had last year early vs Detroit.

 

Jones is basically a ILB'er with safety skills. He played into the 4th quarter the last game and was making plays taking on guards at the LOS one play and then lining up in CF on the next. Brice and Evans have both looked too good to not keep around.

 

I may arrange the guys differently...I think Rollins is a starter in the slot and I think they go with King and House outside, but that's pretty minor.

 

 

If the DB's can just hold up in coverage and we can stay health at OLB'er, this COULD be a really good D with the defensive line and the ridiculous depth at safety.

[OnTheBlack]

Every year the Packers seem to have a couple of guys make a big jump, be it from year 1 to 2 or guys who were on the bubble who come on and end up playing key roles for the team, or guys who had down years the year before but bounced back(like Adam's did last year and hopefully Randall will do this year).

 

Here's my list-

1-Dean Lowry

At Northwestern he reminded me of JJ quite a bit. Obviously nobody on the Packers is gonna be anywhere near him, but before he sprained his MCL, he was throwing guys around pretty good on the DL and getting a lot of pressure. I said in another thread I think the Packers will play with 3 DL more this year(maybe a 3-3-5?) because of his improvement.

 

2-Kenny Clark

Staying on the DL, Clark who was just 20 years old last year could finally be a 1st round defensive player who contributes and makes an impact after a long run of late first round picks on that side of the ball. He looks like he packed on a lot of muscle and he's been collapsing the pocket this year.

 

These two guys make Mike Daniels SO much more dangerous IMO. He already plays like a guy on PCP who thinks the cops are chasing him every down as it is, if those guys are good enough that teams can't double Daniels, the front 7(or 8 with Burnett/Jones) might make a whole lot of plays on the other side of the ball.

 

3-Quentin Rollins

Randall talks a lot more and you hear a lot more from Randall, but Rollins is playing really physical and really aggressive in the slot. I think a healthy Rollins can provide what Casey Heyward did his rookie year and create takeaway's.

 

4-Josh Jones

The guy finally played like we'd heard he'd been practicing all off-season. He was blowing up pulling guards, he was playing deep CF. He's the epitome of what the Packers are trying to do and what the Falcons did last year in getting faster, more physical and more versatile.

 

 

I know there will be more, but beyond those 4, I would just be guessing at RB...and that GUESS would be the kid from UTEP Jones as he has looked the best to me, but I'm not sure if he'll get his chance or what the pecking order is at RB.

 

At WR'er, I like everyone we've got who has a shot to make the roster, but with Nelson, Adams, presumably Cobb, Bennett, Kendricks and then I would assume Allison as our #4 WR'er, it'd likely cause an injury for any receiver to jump into this group.

 

Joe Thomas would be the 5th guy on my list because he looks like he's taken another step to becoming an all around LB'er, but I would say his "breakout" year came last year.

 

I think were definitely moving in the right direction on defense with more physical guys with speed who can play the run and the pass.

 

Thoughts?

[patrickgpe]

I haven't paid as close of attention to the preseason because of the brewers but i will through out that either Janis or Cobb will be cut today. the WR cuts will be the most interesting to me today.

 

also brown over gunter

[PeaveyFury]

I wonder if the Packers would take a look at a veteran o-lineman cut today like John Greco to serve as a multi-position interior line backup if a guy like Barclay isn't going to be able to go right out of the gate.

 

Eric Winston was released by the Bengals as well, who could provide depth at OT if we're not comfortable with the Spriggs/Murphy combo.

[LouisEly]

According to sources, the Packers are looking at guards who have been cut.

[LouisEly]

According to sources, the Packers have cut Clark, McCaffrey, Yancey, and Dupre.

 

Packers moving forward with Nelson, Adams, Cobb, Janis, and Davis with Allison on the reserve-suspended list.

[OnTheBlack]

I wonder if the Packers would take a look at a veteran o-lineman cut today like John Greco to serve as a multi-position interior line backup if a guy like Barclay isn't going to be able to go right out of the gate.

 

Eric Winston was released by the Bengals as well, who could provide depth at OT if we're not comfortable with the Spriggs/Murphy combo.

 

 

 

For what it's worth, Browns fans seemed surprised by Greco getting cut and looking over a couple forums thought he was at least good depth along the line. They also have Kevin Zietler and Joe Bitino at their guard spots with Tretter at C, so it's not like they don't have good players inside there.

 

The Browns also run a zone blocking scheme...

 

 

Added-The Ravens also cut Jeremy Zuattah...primarily a center during his career, but right now we're thin their as well. Couldn't find PFF's report on him, but did fine one saying that he should be a big boost in SF(where he was cut two weeks ago).

 

It's hard to tell with some of these guys from SF or Cleveland what the reason behind the cut is. They're awful teams in total rebuild modes, so are they just not keeping any aging talent because it won't be around...or are they just done.

[superfly]

Vikings cut Alex Boone too, although being I watch the Vikings alot he seems to be a big talk no action type of guy.

[pacopete4]

Cutting McCaffery is a mistake imo.

[OnTheBlack]

Cutting McCaffery is a mistake imo.

 

 

I agree. But every year there are 1 or 2 guys they cut that I think are huge mistakes. I remember when the cut Rolle a couple years ago I thought that was a mistake. Then he goes down to Houston and gets a couple picks in a game and it looks even worse. Over the long run...he's been a journeymen type DB.

 

 

I wonder how quickly Gilbert will get picked up or IF he gets picked up. So many teams need OLB'ers and he played so well...I hope he makes his way back on to our practice squad.

 

And if I had my choice among the WR'ers who got cut to make the practice squad, Clark would be the one I'd pick...and perhaps the Packers were thinking the same thing since he only played 6 snaps in the final pre-season game.

 

 

 

It'll be almost as interesting to see what the practice squad looks like...especially given how frequently we call guys up from year to year rather than acquiring guys via free agency or trade.

[CheezWizHed]

At the end of last year, I was expecting Clark to jump out this year. He was beginning to blossom this year and given his age, I'm expeting a big breakout. Lowry kind of surprised me in game one and various write-ups in preseason. He looks like a difference maker. So, like you said, those three on the line together are going to be good this year. Might even cover for our OLB deficiencies.

 

I'm going to counter your Rollins with Randall. He looks much better this year and I'm thinking he was more injured than "advertised" last year. Ala D-Adams of 2 years ago. Either way, I'd be happy if one of them does.

 

I think Montegomery will breakout. No more talk about the conversion. He will be a dangerous RB. Great on the pass, good on the run. I think Williams will end up being the short yardage guy. Rip will still get his chances, but Wiliams will get most.

[PeaveyFury]

Taysom Hill to the Saints' active roster.... surprising.

 

Brian Price to the Cowboys.

 

And the Packers have claimed DE Chris Odom from Atlanta.

[PeaveyFury]

Jayrone Elliott traded to Dallas for a 7th, Gilbert & Callahan to the practice squad.

[young guns]

Wasnt it the saints who picked up callahan last year for a few weeks? They must like mccarthy qbs.

[OnTheBlack]

At the end of last year, I was expecting Clark to jump out this year. He was beginning to blossom this year and given his age, I'm expeting a big breakout. Lowry kind of surprised me in game one and various write-ups in preseason. He looks like a difference maker. So, like you said, those three on the line together are going to be good this year. Might even cover for our OLB deficiencies.

 

I'm going to counter your Rollins with Randall. He looks much better this year and I'm thinking he was more injured than "advertised" last year. Ala D-Adams of 2 years ago. Either way, I'd be happy if one of them does.

 

I think Montegomery will breakout. No more talk about the conversion. He will be a dangerous RB. Great on the pass, good on the run. I think Williams will end up being the short yardage guy. Rip will still get his chances, but Wiliams will get most.

 

 

I wasn't. Maybe it was Nick Perry's first 4 years, Jones, or our recent history of late first rounders not panning out that clouded my opinion, I just wasn't feeling confident he was gonna be a impact player. I kept hearing how much better he was playing from the analysts toward the end of last year, but I didn't really see it. But this year...he just looks so much different. Like he's in a new body. His frame just looks bigger. And I have an affinity for Wrestlers who play football...it helps so much with the hand fighting. But I didn't see this jump.

 

I did think Lowry could be a good player, but then I was convinced by the scouts and everyone who talked about his short arms that he wasn't gonna be. But he has a Bosa/Watt type frame and motor. So maybe he's not a superstar because of his short arms, but he can at least be a good player. He also looks a lot bigger.

 

As for Randall, I don't know if you guys watch hard knocks, but there was a guy who hurt his knee this past week and stayed in the game and he was just a little slower and absolutely got exposed. So even if Randall's injury wasn't worse than they said...he tore a muscle in his groin that required surgery. I don't know how a DB can be anywhere near 100 pct with an injury like that. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he had a big year this year. He's flashed several times before. He saved the game for us vs the Jags last year with diving pass breakup on 4th down(or the last play of the game, can't recall which). He was also a bit of ball hawk his rookie year.

 

People also forget that in addition to being injured....both he and Rollins played different sports the first 3 years of college. He was a Baseball player IIRC and Rollins was the basketball player. So they were both hurt and raw after having productive rookie seasons.

 

As for Montgomery...he spent all off-season working with that feet guru...so he should have improved quickness in his feet and better agility which is the most important thing for a RB. I still won't begin to guess who ends up as the 2nd running back. Each week someone else looked better. One week is was Williams, then Mays..I thought Jones ran the best at the end but not by much. If our running game is working...Rodgers could throw near 50 TD's this year.

[OnTheBlack]

Jayrone Elliott traded to Dallas for a 7th, Gilbert & Callahan to the practice squad.

 

 

A little disappointed to see Elliot go. He looked so good at times during his career with the Packers, but could never sustain it. That they brought in Brooks and Odom...a guy who hasn't practiced at OLB'er at all is pretty telling about what their OLB'er group looked like.

 

They're also bringing in Quinton Dial, a 6'5 320 LB DE. With Don Barclay going from a guy that McCarthy wasn't worried about not being ready for week 1(same with Bulaga) and now going onto IR, it has to make you wonder if Lowry's injury isn't a little bit worse than they let on. Of course they are extremely secretive about injuries when they don't really need to be in the pre-season.

 

I am surprised that they didn't bring Gray back onto the practice squad...obviously I thought highly of him(of course these guys end up bouncing around quite a bit). Hopefully like Callahan last year, after being claimed by the Saints and then the Browns, maybe Hill will wind up back with the Packers.

 

Really glad to see Gilbert on the practice squad. I'll bet he ends up on the 53 man at some point this year. Pankey looked like he could become a player.

 

I also hope they bring someone in at Guard/Center. Greco looks ideal...but if they have Patrick/McCray as their #2 center heading into Seattle with that DL which now includes Richardson..they could be in trouble there if anyone goes down.

[LouisEly]

The 5th round pick they wasted on Yancey might have been able to be packaged with their 3rd round pick to move up in the 3rd to get Dan Feeney. Two picks after Jamal Williams was Sean Harlow; I think TT will come to regret that, but you can't predict that Jones and Mayes would be available later in the draft. They also could have packaged the wasted 6th round pick with the wasted 5th round pick to move up and get Asiata or Eluemunor.

 

They had opportunities to address guard without taking a flyer on a late round OT with no guard experience from a non-power-five conference team.

[Point Beer Is Best]

McCaffrey ended up on the Saint's practice squad. Yancey & Clark are both on the GB practice squad I believe. Tom Silverstein had tweeted at Dupre was looking at other options (not sure if GB had offered and he declined, or if they moved on) and as of now Dupre isn't on anyone's practice squad.

 

Quite the fall for Dupre. Once talked about as a potential first round pick, decided to declare a year early and fell to the 7th round and now isn't even on a practice squad.

[Point Beer Is Best]

Dial would add some rotational depth. He's only 27, but wasn't a scheme fit in SF as they move from a 3-4 to a Seahawk's inspired 4-3. 6'5" 320lb is prototypical size for a 3-4 DE (although we've tended to go with shorter/stouter guys during Caper's tenure).

 

I think they probably wanted to keep Geoff Gray. Great size and athleticism but a project. He just ended up taking the NY Jets offer instead.

[docduany]

I am still desperately hoping that the Pack sign a veteran back up lineman. Injuries to the O-line could be a huge obstacle to winning it all. If you can't protect Rodgers, you not winning a thing. There is NO center/ guard depth. McCray is in over his head in my opinion. I'd have been surprised if he'd made the practice squad, I'm completely floored that he's on the 53 man. I like Patrick, but he's never played with live bullets. And even when he comes off the IR, Donny Barclay hasn't impressed me since his rookie year. A veteran makes all the sense in the world to me.

[OnTheBlack]

I am still desperately hoping that the Pack sign a veteran back up lineman. Injuries to the O-line could be a huge obstacle to winning it all. If you can't protect Rodgers, you not winning a thing. There is NO center/ guard depth. McCray is in over his head in my opinion. I'd have been surprised if he'd made the practice squad, I'm completely floored that he's on the 53 man. I like Patrick, but he's never played with live bullets. And even when he comes off the IR, Donny Barclay hasn't impressed me since his rookie year. A veteran makes all the sense in the world to me.

 

 

Don Barclay has been put in bad situations which has made his bad play really stand out...but I'm with you. I've seen him play poorly enough that the only way I'll be convinced he's good is by him actually staying healthy(which is no small part of his problems) and him actually doing it. Just hearing McCarthy saying how much confidence they have in him doesn't inspire any in me.

 

McCray might be the worst interior OL that I've seen on the Packers in the last 15 years(of the guys to make a roster). I stand by what I said about it being tough to tell at times how bad the interior OL look in the pre-season because so much continuity and communication is needed, but how he makes this team over any of the 4 WR'ers we cut is baffling to me.

 

Patrick might be alright as a center, but I don't think he's a guard. He looked alright there.

 

What I hope they're doing is waiting until after week 1 and then looking at a guy like Greco(haven't seen if he's signed yet). But he had that Lisfranc injury and those take a loooong time to heal. I had one and it took a full two years before I was completely healthy. Now I didn't have NFL trainers and the top foot specialist in the world(like the Packers do) but I'm hoping waiting until after week 2(where his contract is not guaranteed) and them wanting to give him more time to heal is the only reason we haven't signed him. He's a perfect fit. Guard/Center who is a good NFL vet, should be cheap and comes from the same type of blocking scheme we run. At 32...you'd think he'd want to play for a contender. Especially after playing for the Browns.

 

So I strongly agree on every point. Packer fans who are 20 will probably never see another QB like Rodgers(or even Favre for that matter). Get him the players he needs to keep him upright. It's the last time I'll say it, but letting Tretter AND Lang go was a really poor decision IMO.

[docduany]

I agree on Lang, and so do the Packers. The guy played hurt and gave you everything he had. If the Packers had given TJ their final offer to him in 2016, he'd still be a Packer.

[CheezWizHed]

At the end of last year, I was expecting Clark to jump out this year.

I wasn't. Maybe it was Nick Perry's first 4 years, Jones, or our recent history of late first rounders not panning out that clouded my opinion, I just wasn't feeling confident he was gonna be a impact player. I kept hearing how much better he was playing from the analysts toward the end of last year, but I didn't really see it. But this year...he just looks so much different. Like he's in a new body. His frame just looks bigger. And I have an affinity for Wrestlers who play football...it helps so much with the hand fighting. But I didn't see this jump.

 

I did think Lowry could be a good player, but then I was convinced by the scouts and everyone who talked about his short arms that he wasn't gonna be. But he has a Bosa/Watt type frame and motor. So maybe he's not a superstar because of his short arms, but he can at least be a good player. He also looks a lot bigger.

 

His improvement last year was subtle, but steady. He rarely made the big play, but was starting to win battles. And given he came in raw, 20 years old (hello body-development years), and was playing mostly on instinct, I expected another year of technique and weight training development would really turn the tide for him. I actually anticipate that he will become an all-pro DT in his career. I didn't like the pick at the time, but now I think it was a really wise investment.

 

Lowry is reminding me of Aaron Kampman. Not the most physically gifted guy, but a very hard-worker and technician. Going into this year, I figured he would be a decent rotation lineman, but his play in preseason has been very surprising to me. Daniels-Clark-Lowry could become our best ever 3-4 DL. They still have to stay healthy and play the games, but the potential is there.

[CheezWizHed]

I am still desperately hoping that the Pack sign a veteran back up lineman.

 

+1

 

When they kept 10 OL during the cut-down, I figured that Barclay wasn't ready for week 1, but I was surprised to see him in IR. Kind of a dumb rule that you can't put guys directly in IR during cut-downs. But I suppose you keep the 2 best and hope one of them is capable enough.

 

But still hoping for a better option. Alex Boone might've been an interesting backup option, but living in the Twin Cities area (pity me), there is a lot of news about an all-talk/no-show type player. Of course, that could be bashing the guy to make yourself feel better about losing him....

[CheezWizHed]

They had opportunities to address guard without taking a flyer on a late round OT with no guard experience from a non-power-five conference team.

 

Given the sheer number of times the Packers have done this, and because they didn't this year, I tend to believe that they didn't like anyone there. Obviously, Amichia was "supposed" to be the G to push the others, it just didn't happen this year.

 

I think they probably wanted to keep Geoff Gray.

 

Gray was interesting, but pretty raw too. There were some nice fluff news items about him because of his different background that upped his "hype", but I'm guessing Amichia and Plankey were simply higher rated in their eyes and they didn't want 3 OL on the PS. Normally, the Packers are able to keep guys they want for their PS over other teams' PSs.

 

Dial is an interesting addition. Was getting paid starter money for SF and we land him as a backup. Him and Brooks certainly improve the depth. Too bad SF didn't change their OL philosophy too.