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Jun 14, 2023

5 Bold Predictions About Packers Initial 53

Sep 25, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY

Sep 25, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers are on the verge of making a plethora of decisions that will immediately impact their 2023 season and the futures of plenty of young men. With 90 players currently on their roster, that number needs to be trimmed down to 53 by August 29.

Green Bay has most of its roster determined by this point, but they must answer several key questions. Let’s get a little whacky and make five bold predictions about how their roster will shake out when it’s all said and done.

O’Donnell is clearly the better punter (and holder) right now, and if this decision was made solely based on 2023 then he’d be the favorite. However, the Packers have their eye on the future and Whelan showed off a stronger leg. It’s risky to carry both a rookie punter and kicker, especially when the punter can affect the kicker via his holds, but this column is all about risking it all. Packers stay true to their long-term team-building perspective and keep Whelan.

The Packers seem poised to keep only three tight ends on their initial roster–Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft and Josiah Deguara. There’s only one issue: Deguara plays more like a fullback, leaving Green Bay with only true tight ends, and both are rookies. I predict they’ll scour the rest of the league and sign someone who was cut to their 53-man roster.

This is a risky move, made realistic thanks to Eric Stokes’ pending return off the PUP after four weeks of football. In the meantime, they can keep Corey Ballentine on the practice squad and activate him on game days to provide depth to Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine.

If they are going to go light at other positions, that gives them the flexibility to go heavy at certain others. They are brimming with youth and potential at wide receiver and have enough guys worthy of seven roster spots. Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are probably the only locks, with Malik Heath and Samori Toure being very likely to make the team as well. I’ll go out on a limb and say they also retain Grant DuBose, a promising rookie who got off to a late start due to an injury. That gives them seven.

The entire Packers’ safety position is blah and uninspiring. Will they really keep five or six dudes who don’t move the needle or contribute consistently? I predict Darnell Savage and Anthony Johnson will make the team, but there will be a surprise cut from one of the veterans–Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Jonathan Owens or Dallin Leavitt. If I was a betting man, I’d say Owens and Moore have the hottest seats.