2025 Roster - Semi Live Thread <closed>

[OldSchool101]

Will Sheppard is an interesting pickup up. It’s just such a deep WR room, I would think at best he’s a player fighting for a spot on the Practice Squad. There’s a reason we picked him up though. Just doing some quick research, what Will lacks in deep speed (4.59) (4.54 PD) he makes up for with a variety of good traits.
-He can catch in traffic.
-He’s displayed impressive 1-handed
-He has good field vision finding holes
-He’s good at making shifty cut moves to gain YAC.
-Has good focus in traffic locating and finishing the catch.
-Displays a great High-Point
-Great Body control
-He’s well built at 6’2” 200-205lb

Will reminds me a little bit of a young Geronimo Allison. Although Will is slightly more dense and it shows up in the Paint…Literally. Will scored 20+ points per game in Basketball and scored 24 TD’s Receiving in his Senior year of High school alone. He cleared 6’8” in the High Jump in Track.

Will impressed scouts at his Conference Pro Day with a 38.5” vertical. Then upped his resume at his Colorado Pro Day, jumping an Elite 40.5” (that’s 1” higher than Davante Adams) He was one of Shedeur Sanders favorite Redzone targets, catching 6 TD’s in 2024.
-2nd Team All SEC in 2024

While it’s always a natural “long-shot” making a team as a UDFA, these can be the types of players each year that fight to win a spot and win their way up the food chain.

-NFL Mock Database had him Top 200 area draft (6th RD) until he slipped to 285 area in Feb.
-Draft Network had him as a Day2 “adequate starter”
-CBS had him as a PS level candidate
-Draft Buzz had his 74.0 rating grade tied with Jimmy Horn Jr (WR45/47)
His bottom across the first 6 scouting sites I read was “Priority UDFA” and his Ceiling was Day2.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sounds like it is no longer just an experiment, Bo Melton is now a full time CB.

 

[Pkrjones]

Sounds like it is no longer just an experiment, Bo Melton is now a full time CB.

This GB roster is going to be VERY tough for a lot of camp guys to make. Just not a lot many openings and competition will be fierce. I'm guessing only 1, possibly 2 UDFA's make the final 53. (Stackhoue, & possibly JDJ or one of the young CB's)

 

[OldSchool101]

This GB roster is going to be VERY tough for a lot of camp guys to make. Just not a lot many openings and competition will be fierce. I'm guessing only 1, possibly 2 UDFA's make the final 53.

Yeah, The depth is very challenging this year at the bottom. Good news
with reports coming out that Elgton will be returning to Practice also. That’s another fierce position group behind the starting 5.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Sounds like it is no longer just an experiment, Bo Melton is now a full time CB.

I'm sure we'll all be watching very closely on a daily basis for any reports on how he is shaping up.

Interesting guy. Certainly with the height/weight the Packers prefer, and a not-too-shabby 40 and other stats. Competition will be intense at WR this year, in an understatement. MLF and the position coach will have to watch snaps closely.

After that stellar performance by our wide reciever group, if you'd told me a year ago that we'd open camp this year with 12-13 receivers on the roster, I'd have said you were crackers. We were just so deep with quality young talent, I thought there was no way Gute would waste uneccesary spots on a position where we were so strong. It was arguably the strongest WR corps in the league.

I'm honestly not sure I understand what Gute is thinking. We have (at best) serious questions about our cornerback group, and we're basically standing pat there - we just swapped Stokes for Hobbs, which is definitely an upgrade, but it would seem logical that we'd at least bring a few more to have a look at.

But this year, we start with roughly 13 receivers, by my count. Last year, we opened with 9. We probably have more WRs in camp this year than any other team in the league, and let's not forget that Gute spent 2 of our first 3 draft picks stocking up that group.

It seems to me that Gutekunst is sending at least one message here - at least 2, maybe 3 of the WR spots are wide open, completely up for grabs. He wants to see intense competition at that position; every single player in that group has to give maximun effort on every single snap. I keep thinking of Alec Baldwin's 8-minute speech in Glengarry Ross, when he's announcing the sales contest - "First place wins a Cadillac; the second-place prize is this set of steak knives here. 3rd place is... you're fired."

I wonder if Gute was not happy with the effort or the focus in that group last year. Maybe he just felt that some of them were complacent, lackadaisical after riding so high in 2023, and just felt that they would just naturally progress in the following year. I think Gute wants all of the guys to feel some serious heat every time they go out on a route, and the guys who show that are the guys we keep on the final 53.

 

[tynimiller]

I'm sure we'll all be watching very closely on a daily basis for any reports on how he is shaping up.



After that stellar performance by our wide reciever group, if you'd told me a year ago that we'd open camp this year with 12-13 receivers on the roster, I'd have said you were crackers. We were just so deep with quality young talent, I thought there was no way Gute would waste uneccesary spots on a position where we were so strong. It was arguably the strongest WR corps in the league.

I'm honestly not sure I understand what Gute is thinking. We have (at best) serious questions about our cornerback group, and we're basically standing pat there - we just swapped Stokes for Hobbs, which is definitely an upgrade, but it would seem logical that we'd at least bring a few more to have a look at.

But this year, we start with roughly 13 receivers, by my count. Last year, we opened with 9. We probably have more WRs in camp this year than any other team in the league, and let's not forget that Gute spent 2 of our first 3 draft picks stocking up that group.

It seems to me that Gutekunst is sending at least one message here - at least 2, maybe 3 of the WR spots are wide open, completely up for grabs. He wants to see intense competition at that position; every single player in that group has to give maximun effort on every single snap. I keep thinking of Alec Baldwin's 8-minute speech in Glengarry Ross, when he's announcing the sales contest - "First place wins a Cadillac; the second-place prize is this set of steak knives here. 3rd place is... you're fired."

I wonder if Gute was not happy with the effort or the focus in that group last year. Maybe he just felt that some of them were complacent, lackadaisical after riding so high in 2023, and just felt that they would just naturally progress in the following year. I think Gute wants all of the guys to feel some serious heat every time they go out on a route, and the guys who show that are the guys we keep on the final 53.

I disagree somewhat but not entirely. The slew of WRs (most are PS battlers and nothing more this year) is a clear indication that Gute has no inclination at this time to commit to Watson or Doubs long term in all likelihood and with last year Reed and Wicks both struggling to be consistent with their hands the draft capital spent was an insurance policy of sorts for a position he doesn't want to see be a crux of woes for Love's growth and window.

I also see it as a clear sign that it is still very possible that Doubs is still on the trade block potentially...as much as that pains me to say. I love Doubs, he is our best pure all around WR, at this time IMO...BUT he isn't a WR1 type that deserves 120+ targets a year and fits the MLF system perfectly. I don't know if the relationship is still strained but I think that Gute building that room up is clearly due to planned separation with some guys...whether that is due to expiring contracts or through trades.

The room is really only NFL proven worthy guys of recent years four deep - Doubs, Wicks, Reed and Watson (two of these not signed after this year)
Unknown of late or higher end rookies with nothing proven though - Hardman, Golden and Williams
Guys who have shown can be a WR5 - Heath (Hardman fits this as well)
Assortment of UDFAs or past PS type guys - Brown Jr., Hicks, Johnson, Sheppard

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think you said it all with how Jenkins is a workhorse, and it's appreciated. But, when it comes to putting together a 53-man roster, you need to constantly be conscious of the salary cap and slip money into areas it's most needed. The price tag on Elgton is way too high to even consider for at least next year is my opinion. The Packers need to see it go down significantly or they need to trade him and at least recoup some of that money and move forward with a new player plugged into the spot he was going to play.

I also wonder a little bit if they didn't see a perceptive drop in his play at guard last year and decided that he'd best serve the team at center while someone was already prepared to replace him at left guard.

Their offensive line got a lot more expensive in the offseason with the addition of Banks and the extension of Tom. Along with Jenkins, that's a lot of $$$ invested in the OL. And sooner or later, they have to decide what to do with Walker.

I like Jenkins a lot, but this is probably his last year in GB. He may be worth a 3rd round pick, but that's a stretch imo - more likely a 4th or 5th, given his age.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I disagree somewhat but not entirely. The slew of WRs (most are PS battlers and nothing more this year) is a clear indication that Gute has no inclination at this time to commit to Watson or Doubs long term in all likelihood and with last year Reed and Wicks both struggling to be consistent with their hands the draft capital spent was an insurance policy of sorts for a position he doesn't want to see be a crux of woes for Love's growth and window.

I also see it as a clear sign that it is still very possible that Doubs is still on the trade block potentially...as much as that pains me to say. I love Doubs, he is our best pure all around WR, at this time IMO...BUT he isn't a WR1 type that deserves 120+ targets a year and fits the MLF system perfectly. I don't know if the relationship is still strained but I think that Gute building that room up is clearly due to planned separation with some guys...whether that is due to expiring contracts or through trades.

The room is really only NFL proven worthy guys of recent years four deep - Doubs, Wicks, Reed and Watson (two of these not signed after this year)
Unknown of late or higher end rookies with nothing proven though - Hardman, Golden and Williams
Guys who have shown can be a WR5 - Heath (Hardman fits this as well)
Assortment of UDFAs or past PS type guys - Brown Jr., Hicks, Johnson, Sheppard

Good assessment of the WR situation. And I like Gluten's approach to the position. Drafting Golden in round 1 and Williams in round 3 sends the message that everyone has to compete hard for a spot and for snaps.

I like Doubs a lot as well, even more than Reed. He has to show some consistency. The best way to put an unsettled season behind him is to go out and produce. He has the skill and athleticism to do it.

He doesn't have to be considered a WR1 either. Unless someone just kills it, I think the Packers won't have a clear #1 WR, and that's fine. Love will be spreading the ball around this season, and can't forget the targets and yards Kraft is likely to get.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It was arguably the strongest WR corps in the league.

I'm honestly not sure I understand what Gute is thinking.

@tynimiller took the words right out of my mouth.

Yes, the Packers had some young WR talent last season, but as a whole, their play wasn't really all that outstanding in the 2nd half of the season. Add to that the injury to Watson, Doubs wildcard status and contracts running out and Gute did the right thing this offseason.

As fans of the Packers, I think its pretty easy and natural to "love" the potential of players. I have seen this every season in this forum from posters, including myself. I attach my feelings to a player, either due to film, scouting reports, preseason games, etc. and think "Wow, this guy is going to be great!" This can especially be true for positions like QB, WR, TE, RB...basically the players responsible for picking up yards. As fans we don't get to see what these players are doing in the film room, practices, locker room, weight room, etc. That is the information that coaches have and influence just how much playing time players get in games to prove themselves worthy.

Back to the WR's. While I think Wicks, Melton and Heath are decent depth WR's, none of them have really worked their way very far up the depth charts during their time in GB. Melton has already been moved to CB, which could be a reflection of his odds to make it at WR, as well as the depth issue at CB for the Packers. It won't surprise me to see both Wicks and Heath on the chopping block come Aug./Sep.

One final guy I am keeping an eye on is Musgrave. While me the fan expects him to have a breakout season and prove why he was the 42nd player taken in the 2023 draft, he is slowly running out of time to prove himself. He is "lucky" that besides Kraft, he doesn't have much competition to make the team, so a roster spot is all but given. A healthy season for Luke could go a long way and me, the fan, expects him and Kraft to become the best 1-2 punch at TE in the NFL.

 

[OldSchool101]

@tynimiller took the words right out of my mouth.


Back to the WR's. While I think Wicks, Melton and Heath are decent depth WR's, none of them have really worked their way very far up the depth charts during their time in GB. Melton has already been moved to CB, which could be a reflection of his odds to make it at WR, as well as the depth issue at CB for the Packers. It won't surprise me to see both Wicks and Heath on the chopping block come Aug./Sep.

I think you could be correct. These WR moves could indeed foreshadow events to come. 2025 has had more focus at WR than any in possibly decades. We start the draft by selecting Golden and back it up with Savion Williams.

I was touching on that earlier. It wouldn’t shock me to see both Melton and Heath gone from our WR group. I think you get basically 2 seasons to prove yourself before wearing out your welcome. Now maybe exceptions if you are a Top 100 selection, they could by you a 3rd season etc.

Imo the Bo Melton project at WR is over. Yet if you look at Heath? He’s actually put up less overall impact production that Melton has imo. Even a former 2nd Round pick (Hardman) with substantial experience isn’t safe, although he’s impressing on a daily basis so far.

If we recall several years back, we moved on from a 4th Round WR who had the dropsies after just 1 full season. Electing to keep MVS instead We can’t afford to leave training wheels on for the depth players for 3 seasons, the league is evolving and we need to resemble that.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I also don't think Gute ever wants to repeat the situation that he and TT put the Packers in, that of letting the WR/TE cupboard get bare. Rodgers was pretty good at doing more with less, but I still think Rodgers was short-changed in his final years with the receivers he was given to work with.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Throwbacks are in.....

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[OldSchool101]

I think the only safe players in 2025 are Watson, Reed, Golden and Savion. Now if we keep 6 +1 (PS) that still leaves plenty of room for a position battle. Plus we likely can utilize a separate designating for Watson, so at that buys us time until? Near Trade deadline.

As of this moment I think Hardman is solid WR6, it’s just my opinion. He just made another 1 handed grab for a TD his first day back. You can spend the season developing players or you can spend 2025 bringing home a Championship. This isn’t a normal year if our D plays to speculation. The WR6 role is Teams with ability to produce quickly in a crisis situation. He’s that guy exactly.

Again things can change, we could keep 7 which isn’t unheard of That leaves a WR5 and 1 PS across the remaining group. Wicks is at the current lead, but if he has any questions as to his drop issue in Camp through Preseason he’ll be the next Jmon Moore.

 

[OldSchool101]

Here’s the $ details on the newest addition. No guaranteed, but it’s obvious the FO likes him.

Former Colorado receiver Will Sheppard signs with Green Bay Packers

Sheppard is headed to the Frozen Tundra

www.ralphiereport.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think the only safe players in 2025 are Watson, Reed, Golden and Savion.

Fully agree, although there is a good possibility that Watson will start the season on the PUP. That would mean that along with the other 3 that you mentioned, the Packers will keep 3-4 other WR's on the 53 man roster to begin the season. I really like Doubs, but if his head isn't in the game or there are long term concerns about his concussions, he very well might not be a Packer in 2025.

 

[OldSchool101]

Fully agree, although there is a good possibility that Watson will start the season on the PUP. That would mean that along with the other 3 that you mentioned, the Packers will keep 3-4 other WR's on the 53 man roster to begin the season. I really like Doubs, but if his head isn't in the game or their are long term concerns about his concussions, he very well might not be a Packer in 2025.

Both Wicks and Doubs are on a short leash. I think Doubs offers the most immediate benefit, but he’ll absolutely have to stay healthy also. We can’t end up starting the season like we finished at WR, it’s not sustainable against this schedule.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Here’s the $ details on the newest addition. No guaranteed, but it’s obvious the FO likes him.

Former Colorado receiver Will Sheppard signs with Green Bay Packers

Sheppard is headed to the Frozen Tundra

www.ralphiereport.com

Pretty standard rookie deal. I believe all of the Packer rookie UDFA WR's are also due to make that $840K, if they make the roster. Although, now that I look, Julian Fleming got a $10K signing bonus and $40K guaranteed.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm just guessing here, but if there were other teams interested in Sheppard, I think I know a reason why he chose GB. Again just guessing here, but I think if that was the case, he and his agent saw the best possibility to make the roster/PS was in Green Bay. Which makes sense. Despite all this "WR Depth" we are discussing, it isn't really proven depth, but more like "hopeful" depth. Sheppard will definitely get an opportunity to prove himself in GB and he won't have to beat out a bunch of 4+ year veterans to make the team.

 

[OldSchool101]

I'm just guessing here, but if there were other teams interested in Sheppard, I think I know a reason why he chose GB. Again just guessing here, but I think if that was the case, he and his agent saw the best possibility to make the roster/PS was in Green Bay. Which makes sense. Despite all this "WR Depth" we are discussing, it isn't really proven depth, but more like "hopeful" depth. Sheppard will definitely get an opportunity to prove himself in GB and he won't have to beat out a bunch of 4+ year veterans to make the team.

I’m thinking more coin flip chance of a PS spot. I think he’d compete for bottom of the Roster in 2026. He’s the WR version of LB Dumas-Johnson, great upside.

I will say though Sheppard one of my favorites of the unknown types. When you watch his tape? When given opportunity he delivers. He’s the antithesis of Wicks he has great hands. Makes difficult catches look elementary, but suffers a little bit releasing off LOS in press coverage (Wicks opposite)

I think with a better QB like Love he’s got a decent shot at becoming that complimentary WR4-WR5 type (2026 or beyond). He runs mid 4.5 to high 4.5’s and had some minor injury concern. That kept him off the draft radar, but he’s ascending and he appears to be healthy now. Very equal talent level (but bigger and more upside) to Colorado’s Jimmy Horn taken in RD6

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I also think that this is a BIG year for Jordan Love to prove that he was worthy of the big contract that the Packers gave a pretty unproven QB. He now has a darn good RB group, decent OL, above average TE and a lot of potential at WR, not to mention some of those WR's that he has worked with for 2-4 years. Love has shown signs of being a top 5 QB, but then reverts back to average. 2025 is the year he really needs to connect the dots and be not just consistent, but reliable.

All that said, Jordan is a Packer through at least 2026, due to his contract and the dead cap the Packers would face.

 

[OldSchool101]

I also think that this is a BIG year for Jordan Love to prove that he was worthy of the big contract that the Packers gave a pretty unproven QB. He now has a darn good RB group, decent OL, above average TE and a lot of potential at WR, not to mention some of those WR's that he has worked with for 2-4 years. Love has shown signs of being a top 5 QB, but then reverts back to average. 2025 is the year he really needs to connect the dots and be not just consistent, but reliable

Absolutely. 2024 was such a hard year to gauge his growth after he went out Week 1. I’m not pointing blame, but in hindsight a more ideal recovery time for that MCL was 4-6 weeks off. He took 2 off because he’s a competitor and got back involved a little prematurely. I would’ve tested Malik another week or 2 because imo he earned that.

2025 provides Love with a more normalized Offense. Most players have grown up with Love and other than Matthew Golden and Savion Williams or Jordan Morgan? Now enter their 3rd or 4th seasons or beyond and that’s historically when you’re deserving of being called a true Veteran.

 

[Magooch]

As fans of the Packers, I think its pretty easy and natural to "love" the potential of players. I have seen this every season in this forum from posters, including myself. I attach my feelings to a player, either due to film, scouting reports, preseason games, etc. and think "Wow, this guy is going to be great!" This can especially be true for positions like QB, WR, TE, RB...basically the players responsible for picking up yards. As fans we don't get to see what these players are doing in the film room, practices, locker room, weight room, etc. That is the information that coaches have and influence just how much playing time players get in games to prove themselves worthy.

I think there is a tendency too that we tend to overrate or get a bit attached to "our guys" - they're the ones who are already in-house, we know them and are familiar with them, we've seen more "flashes" from them than outsiders, and just generally do keep up with them more than any other teams' fans are going to. But IMO in actuality the truth is that every team / fandom has these same exact guys. Go to any fan forum/site and you will similarly find guys talking about how they think they have this untapped potential, hidden gems deep in the depth chart.

The reality of the situation is that there are 31 other teams who have a handful of guys like Heath, Melton, Hicks, etc and they all have fans online talking about how so-and-so is set to step up and have a breakout and whatnot. But at the end of the day when you're talking about guys who are fighting to be WR5, RB4, stuff like that...most non-Packer fans have zero clue about who "our guys" are, just like most of us couldn't tell you about the "hidden gems" fighting for WR4/5, RB3/4, etc on most of the other teams.

And that's not to say that these guys don't have potential or that they'll never make it...but I think we just have a tendency to hype up our own a little bit more than is often merited. Of course there are always some who will break through to the next level and become a huge success story but these are always very much the exceptions, not the rule. So it goes

 

[OldSchool101]

I think there is a tendency too that we tend to overrate or get a bit attached to "our guys" - they're the ones who are already in-house, we know them and are familiar with them, we've seen more "flashes" from them than outsiders, and just generally do keep up with them more than any other teams' fans are going to. But IMO in actuality the truth is that every team / fandom has these same exact guys. Go to any fan forum/site and you will similarly find guys talking about how they think they have this untapped potential, hidden gems deep in the depth chart.

The reality of the situation is that there are 31 other teams who have a handful of guys like Heath, Melton, Hicks, etc and they all have fans online talking about how so-and-so is set to step up and have a breakout and whatnot. But at the end of the day when you're talking about guys who are fighting to be WR5, RB4, stuff like that...most non-Packer fans have zero clue about who "our guys" are, just like most of us couldn't tell you about the "hidden gems" fighting for WR4/5, RB3/4, etc on most of the other teams.

And that's not to say that these guys don't have potential or that they'll never make it...but I think we just have a tendency to hype up our own a little bit more than is often merited. Of course there are always some who will break through to the next level and become a huge success story but these are always very much the exceptions, not the rule. So it goes

Absolutely agree. Although nobody has the time to follow 31 other teams UDFA’s. So it’s incumbent to study those that cross our paths and follow them with even more vigor imo. I actually enjoy guessing at which ones will succeed or not. Occasionally I’ll even disparage a guy. Lol. Heck I tried to disparage that last Sheppherd WR kid but you guys wouldn’t listen!

Me thinks we’re being a little too presumptuous if another fan does a write up on players. That never meant or is implied said player will be our starter imo. I doubt hardly anyone believes that in here or maybe I just give people more credit than they are due idk. This is basically an entertainment business and it’s fun.
In that process it’s also informative. Promoting a player doesn’t imply we think he’s an All Pro (going extreme to make a point) Let’s not error on either side. Let’s not over promote them, but let’s not ruin it for posters who take interest if it’s done respectfully of educationally.

The chances of a UDFA making a second contract is EXTREMELY low. Heck the chances of our 3rd Rounders getting a nice offer to stay past Rookie deals is not the best. I can match you a Burks or Montgomery for every..mmm…. Hmmm?… I can’t even think of a 3rd rounder that made it so there’s my point.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I really like this latest pick-up by Gute. The Packers signed RB Israel Abanikanda off of waivers.

This guy is an athletic freak (9.88 RAS). Despite this being his 3rd year in the league, he is only 22 years old. He hasn't seen a lot of playing time in the NFL, but I have to think he was on Gute's short list during the 2023 draft and remained there as a guy to keep his eye on.

Will "Izzy" make the 53 man roster? Probably not, unless there is an injury among the top 3; Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson. I do think he will push Wilson for that number 3 job, as well as Brooks for the #4 (PS) job. He will be fun to watch in preseason, where I expect to see a lot of him.

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[Pkrjones]

Israel Abanikanda is a short term replacement, as GB needs/wants 6 RB's active in camp. He's the perfect GB size at 5'-10", 216 lbs. Has a week or 2 to shows his talent before a roster spot will be needed so I hope he shows some "pop" & forces a cut elsewhere. Agree, the top-4 spots are tough to crack, but a PS spot is still in play.