2026 Roster Thread - Semi-Live

[Pokerbrat2000]

I have not given up on Lloyd. But the eleventh hour is here.

I don't mind if the Packers haven't given up on Lloyd, but they better not be relying on him. Meaning, they need to have a solid #2 RB on the roster by Sept. Whether that is him, a FA, or a rookie, I don't really care. I have watched the Packers "rely" on unproven depth too many times, and it has come back to bite them. If the season started today, I wouldn't even want to see Lloyd listed as our #3 RB.

 

[OldSchool101]

Lloyd’s only issue seems to be durability. Nearly every time he touches the ball he’s like lightning in a bottle. Lightning doesn’t do any good if it can’t reach the field though.

We need to plan like Lloyd is coming off an ACL and heading into a contract year (I realize he’s not technically but he is in actuality) Just a total unknown and yeah I’d label as a “bonus” if he regains his former USC self.

A part of me would be excited to get a Penn State product this draft IF it’s not before #84 at most (although that’s a very slight reach) Ideally we pull an Evan Williams move into opening of RD4 and get one. Something tells me Lloyd will play this year, just my gut. Can you imagine having ?
RB1 Josh Jacobs
RB2 Nick Singleton
RB3 Marshawn Lloyd

If our OL blocking even improved to “above average” we’d have a trifecta of dual threats out of the backfield. That trio in college averaged like 12+ yards per catch out of the backfield. They are all known for being a nightmare to tackle in open field.

 

[OldSchool101]

With TE John Fitzgerald likely on the road to a long recovery (torn Achilles) I’d really like to add an upper echelon Run blocking TE this draft or unless there’s a cheap FA option idk

TE, Nate Boerkercher would be heavy on my radar in Day 3.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

CB and both lines.... We need to build those groups now and a decentTE.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

GB going to fill in the gaps after the draft. There's always some really good veterans holding out at the end..... Veterans who would probably be feeling the pressure, and considering a team friendly deal with a Superbowl caliber team....

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

GB going to fill in the gaps after the draft. There's always some really good veterans holding out at the end..... Veterans who would probably be feeling the pressure, and considering a team friendly deal with a Superbowl caliber team....

I really think that this is one thing Gute has lacked with his arsenal, putting enough veterans on the team. Guys that may be in their final years, but bring experience and grittiness to both the field and to the locker room. It might be a badge of honor to always be one of the youngest teams in the NFL, but if that doesn't get you very far into the playoffs, what have you gained?

I'm not saying to go out and spend a ton of money on vets that may not earn it, but as you alluded to, find some vets that want to finish their careers on a solid team, playing solid ball, at a reasonable salary.

I think 10+ years ago these guys were a lot easier to find. You had 30+ year old players that hadn't earned $10+ million over their NFL careers. Now we see guys hitting 25 that have and motivating them after they have $50M+ already in the bank and they are a healthy 30 years old, isn't that easy anymore.

If I were Gute, I would be looking for a Vet QB, RB, TE, OL, DL, CB to backfill the roster.

 

[gopkrs]

I really think that this is one thing Gute has lacked with his arsenal, putting enough veterans on the team. Guys that may be in their final years, but bring experience and grittiness to both the field and to the locker room. It might be a badge of honor to always be one of the youngest teams in the NFL, but if that doesn't get you very far into the playoffs, what have you gained?

I'm not saying to go out and spend a ton of money on vets that may not earn it, but as you alluded to, find some vets that want to finish their careers on a solid team, playing solid ball, at a reasonable salary.

I think 10+ years ago these guys were a lot easier to find. You had 30+ year old players that hadn't earned $10+ million over their NFL careers. Now we see guys hitting 25 that have and motivating them after they have $50M+ already in the bank and they are a healthy 30 years old, isn't that easy anymore.

If I were Gute, I would be looking for a Vet QB, RB, TE, OL, DL, CB to backfill the roster.

Could work out. Need to be selective as far as players being capable of backfilling when needed. Obviously. Probably be a yearly exercise

 

[McKnowledge]

CB and both lines.... We need to build those groups now and a decentTE.

Bringing in Rasul Douglas into the fold has to be a move strongly considered.

I think the most glaring weaknesses of the CBs last season were their unwillingness to tackle.

Rasul Douglas has proven to be very good at tackling and forcing turnovers

GB going to fill in the gaps after the draft. There's always some really good veterans holding out at the end..... Veterans who would probably be feeling the pressure, and considering a team friendly deal with a Superbowl caliber team....

Green Bay is now firmly in a championship window. That window opened last year with the move for Parsons.

Gute has to fill the Packers weaknesses with veterans and supplement depth with veteran college players.

The NIL has changed the entire NCAA, so I would equate a senior or 5th/6th year player as a street free agent with draft eligibility.

This is not the time for youth projects and developmental prospects that won't contribute until 2030.

The picks Green Bay possesses, especially for Day 3 will bring some strong contributors to the team.

 

[Schultz]

Bringing in Rasul Douglas into the fold has to be a move strongly considered.

I think the most glaring weaknesses of the CBs last season were their unwillingness to tackle.

Rasul Douglas has proven to be very good at tackling and forcing turnovers



Green Bay is now firmly in a championship window. That window opened last year with the move for Parsons.

Gute has to fill the Packers weaknesses with veterans and supplement depth with veteran college players.

The NIL has changed the entire NCAA, so I would equate a senior or 5th/6th year player has street agent with draft eligibility.

This is not the time for youth projects and developmental prospects that won't contribute until 2030.

The picks Green Bay possesses, especially for Day 3 will bring some strong contributors to the team.

Agreed. I swear Valentine is allergic to tackling .

 

[OldSchool101]

CB and both lines.... We need to build those groups now and a decentTE.

Personally if given the ideal player matching our draft (which never happens) I’d go this methodology.

RD2 iDT. (Best of DE or DT)
I’d get the biggest baddest interior guy that can play 3-4 Nose. A real double block eating machine that can produce some TFL because he’s hard to move off point. Wyatt, Hargrave, Karl, with Ford or Stack or Brinson fighting for a remaining spot as my supporting cast.


RD3 DE (Best of DT or DE)
Let’s go ahead and give Gannon the tools necessary to elevate. Find a player who fits what we are trying to accomplish. Weakest man out at the bottom at DE

RD4 OC/OG
Now for record I think Shawn can probably improve in his first full season at Center. That said I’d want a solid plan B. One that would be seamless filling in at Center, but also has some high level athletic chops to slide to either Guard spot in a pinch. A possible backup to a failure at C, LG, RG. Possibly envisioning a successor at either Guard spot and primary C backup.

RD4 CB (1 of 2)
Trade using a 2026 RD5+2027 RD5.
Going after the best residuals at boundary CB from Day 2 remnants.

RD6 TE
It’s time to face reality. Luke will likely either shoot up our food chain and price himself out of the TE room $. OR he’ll go business as usual 275 yards 2 TD’s and become expendable. The 5th to 6th Round is a good place for a stab at a good blocker with some moderate to good upside Receiving chops.

Late RD6 to Early RD7 RB
trading 2026 RD7+ 2026 RD7
A intra RD7 move for an earlier shot at our preferential choice at RB. RB is a weaker class in general, but it opens a little in later Day3 with some good choices in that top #200 area ranked
I’d have my crosshairs on J’mari Taylor or Kaelon Black.

 

[OldSchool101]

Bringing in Rasul Douglas into the fold has to be a move strongly considered.

I think the most glaring weaknesses of the CBs last season were their unwillingness to tackle.

Rasul Douglas has proven to be very good at tackling and forcing turnovers

I’m all for a reunion. Obviously the $ would have to be right, but Imo Valentine is more on level with a good boundary option #3 guy. Might even consider a 2yr deal if price is right. As a security blanket for 2 departing FA at CB. I’d add a veteran and draft once at CB (by RD4-5 at latest)

 

[Heyjoe4]

My apologies if this has been asked and answered. I just found this now 10-page thread.

Question for all of you - when do you expect Kraft and Parsons will return? (And does anyone have news of their recovery process?)

Kraft went down on Nov 2, 2025. I expect he'll be back a month early, give or take - so last week in September to first week in October.

Parsons went down on Dec 14, 2025. I expect he'll be back early November, first week or two.

(It seemed like Watson was back within 10 months. He came back like he was never injured. Hope Kraft and Parsons follow that recovery path.)

Thoughts? Thanks all!

Joe

 

[Heyjoe4]

I’m all for a reunion. Obviously the $ would have to be right, but Imo Valentine is more on level with a good boundary option #3 guy. Might even consider a 2yr deal if price is right. As a security blanket for 2 departing FA at CB. I’d add a veteran and draft once at CB (by RD4-5 at latest)

Hindsight is 20/20 but Douglas should have been retained. Didn't he go from CB in GB to S in Buffalo? He was played out of position here, as I recall. I wouldn't rush to bring him back if he is a S.

 

[milani]

I really think that this is one thing Gute has lacked with his arsenal, putting enough veterans on the team. Guys that may be in their final years, but bring experience and grittiness to both the field and to the locker room. It might be a badge of honor to always be one of the youngest teams in the NFL, but if that doesn't get you very far into the playoffs, what have you gained?

I'm not saying to go out and spend a ton of money on vets that may not earn it, but as you alluded to, find some vets that want to finish their careers on a solid team, playing solid ball, at a reasonable salary.

I think 10+ years ago these guys were a lot easier to find. You had 30+ year old players that hadn't earned $10+ million over their NFL careers. Now we see guys hitting 25 that have and motivating them after they have $50M+ already in the bank and they are a healthy 30 years old, isn't that easy anymore.

If I were Gute, I would be looking for a Vet QB, RB, TE, OL, DL, CB to backfill the roster.

Although it looks like this season he has added a few 30ish players. I am thinking he could do that with a backup QB as well.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Although it looks like this season he has added a few 30ish players. I am thinking he could do that with a backup QB as well.

I agree with you and Poker. It's actually a luxury that Gluten only has to patch-up a few spots, and he's already done that at DL and CB.

And Poker is right - it's nice to have the youngest team in a game built for the young (early to late 20s). But veteran presence, esp at areas of weakness or areas where depth is needed, can be filled by older players on short contracts. To that point, I like the addition of veteran Hargrave to the DL, and a still-young Juste to the CB group.

Rather than spend big on FA this year, Gluten is being surgical, and that allows him to save cap for future needs. He is also getting at least two or three comp picks next year for Doubs, Jenkins and Walker. Nothing wrong with stockpiling picks and help assure success over an extended period.

I'm not feeling great about the team's SB aspirations this year. A lot will depend on when Kraft and Parsons return, as well as improvement from last year's rookies (Golden and Williams). But strange things happen during the course of a season. I certainly didn't have the hags and Pats on my SB radar last year at this time......

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Agreed. I swear Valentine is allergic to tackling .

That seems to have been an issue with a lot of Packer CB's in the last 10 or so years. Are they fearing a potential injury? I can't think of any other reason why they wouldn't commit to a full-on, wrap your arms around a guy and tackle him, kind of tackle Unless, they just don't know how to tackle, then that is on the coaching staff.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

I really think that this is one thing Gute has lacked with his arsenal, putting enough veterans on the team. Guys that may be in their final years, but bring experience and grittiness to both the field and to the locker room. It might be a badge of honor to always be one of the youngest teams in the NFL, but if that doesn't get you very far into the playoffs, what have you gained?

I'm not saying to go out and spend a ton of money on vets that may not earn it, but as you alluded to, find some vets that want to finish their careers on a solid team, playing solid ball, at a reasonable salary.

I think 10+ years ago these guys were a lot easier to find. You had 30+ year old players that hadn't earned $10+ million over their NFL careers. Now we see guys hitting 25 that have and motivating them after they have $50M+ already in the bank and they are a healthy 30 years old, isn't that easy anymore.

If I were Gute, I would be looking for a Vet QB, RB, TE, OL, DL, CB to backfill the roster.

The trench guys seem to take a few years to really grow into their prime... Other positions I've noticed that take a few years to develope rookies are CB/WR/TE...

Not sure why? I assume the 20-23 year olds coming out of college are physically not fully grown yet. Few years in the NFL and they're peaking physically....

Wr/CB I think it's different reasons. The timing and chemistry takes a few years to develope and peak to where the QB and receivers have the unspoken language where one look, and they both know what's going to happen.... GB always seems to take their time developing those young guys too. Typically because we have a full rotation of WRs at all times in GB.

TE seems to be included in these groups for both reasons.

One reason I believe RB has b come a position that isn't valued as high as others, despite the demand for the physical beating their body's take.... One reason being everyone wants to be the star RB and score the TDs when they're younger deciding what position to play. And there for there is many RBs to choose from 10 years later when entering the pros. So supply and demand takes over..... Bit besides that main reason. I believe it's also because RBs can come in day one and be a solid contributor with not much drop off.... Meaning you can literally draft a couple 4th rounder rookie RBs and literally have a average run attack, basically on any given year..... You try that with the oline and Love will be retired before the year ends. Lol.

QB is definitely one of those positions where experience pays dividends..... Joe flaco last year for the browns was a great example....

Basically I agree with your assessment, besides the RB veteran. Jacob's is the leader. Brooks is a solid veteran. If we didn't have him, then I'd agree. But as it stands, I'm thinking the RBs we have are fine. I'm quietly optimistic that Marshawn Lloyd will get the help he needed for his soft tissue injuries. Then he will come out and be the lightning to our storm.

 

[Pkrjones]

Also with the Post-June release we need to remember the savings is not realized entirely until after that - so this money is likely set aside for an extension I'd bet to either Kraft or Watson at some point in the future OR is part of the "keep available" funds teams need for in season moves.

Seattle's JSN just extended for 4yr/$168mil creating a new record WR @ over $42mil/yr. I was guessing Watson's "value" on new deal to be $30mil/yr but fear it has now gone up to $32 or $33mil (in top 5-8 highest paid WR). He's certainly worth top-10 $ in GB to open up the O, just not sure if that can fit into long-term cap?

 

[milani]

I agree with you and Poker. It's actually a luxury that Gluten only has to patch-up a few spots, and he's already done that at DL and CB.

And Poker is right - it's nice to have the youngest team in a game built for the young (early to late 20s). But veteran presence, esp at areas of weakness or areas where depth is needed, can be filled by older players on short contracts. To that point, I like the addition of veteran Hargrave to the DL, and a still-young Juste to the CB group.

Rather than spend big on FA this year, Gluten is being surgical, and that allows him to save cap for future needs. He is also getting at least two or three comp picks next year for Doubs, Jenkins and Walker. Nothing wrong with stockpiling picks and help assure success over an extended period.

I'm not feeling great about the team's SB aspirations this year. A lot will depend on when Kraft and Parsons return, as well as improvement from last year's rookies (Golden and Williams). But strange things happen during the course of a season. I certainly didn't have the hags and Pats on my SB radar last year at this time......

2026 is not the year but 2027 and 2028 can be.

 

[milani]

That seems to have been an issue with a lot of Packer CB' in the last 10 or so years. Are they fearing a potential injury? I can't think of any other reason why they wouldn't commit to a full-on, wrap your arms around a guy and tackle him, kind of tackle Unless, they just don't know how to tackle, then that is on the coaching staff.

Maybe like the last 15. After Woodson was moved to safety the DB spot has had a lot of forgettable seasons. Tramon Williams was consistent over his career. Rasul Douglas was short lived and dealt. Casey Hayward should have been retained. Jaire Alexander, the most talented, just lost it after his injury vs. Pittsburgh. Those are the only decent CBs to play for us.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Maybe like the last 15. After Woodson was moved to safety the DB spot has had a lot of forgettable seasons. Tramon Williams was consistent over his career. Rasul Douglas was short lived and dealt. Casey Hayward should have been retained. Jaire Alexander, the most talented, just lost it after his injury vs. Pittsburgh. Those are the only decent CBs to play for us.

You are probably closer with the 15 year window than I was with the 10. I'm just tired of seeing Packer CB's that are average defenders and terrible tacklers. I'd like to see all 11 defensive guys playing with their hair on fire and I think Parsons is the guy they all of them should watch and learn from by studying his film.

 

[tynimiller]

Seattle's JSN just extended for 4yr/$168mil creating a new record WR @ over $42mil/yr. I was guessing Watson's "value" on new deal to be $30mil/yr but fear it has now gone up to $32 or $33mil (in top 5-8 highest paid WR). He's certainly worth top-10 $ in GB to open up the O, just not sure if that can fit into long-term cap?

This is an atypical escalation beyond normal...similar to the Kirk contract when he signed to Jax and it shocked everyone (2022)

It absolutely will shift somethings, especially if we see Puka get extended soon and is in that $40M per area.

I mean most would assume Watson was already in that $35M/yr range seeing as how guys like Aiyuk are at $30M/yr...Garrett Wilson got $32.5M/yr...and even DK Metcalf recently got $33M/yr.

Now I think more important is amount of guarantee...either way if GB extends Watson and it comes in at or below $30M/yr folks will not understand how this appears to be below market just due to escalation of contracts and how that occurs...

Now while his reps point to JSN and Garrett Wilson perhaps...I think GB holds their finger on Alec Pierce ($28.5M/yr).

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This is an atypical escalation beyond normal...similar to the Kirk contract when he signed to Jax and it shocked everyone (2022)

It absolutely will shift somethings, especially if we see Puka get extended soon and is in that $40M per area.

I mean most would assume Watson was already in that $35M/yr range seeing as how guys like Aiyuk are at $30M/yr...Garrett Wilson got $32.5M/yr...and even DK Metcalf recently got $33M/yr.

Now I think more important is amount of guarantee...either way if GB extends Watson and it comes in at or below $30M/yr folks will not understand how this appears to be below market just due to escalation of contracts and how that occurs...

Now while his reps point to JSN and Garrett Wilson perhaps...I think GB holds their finger on Alec Pierce ($28.5M/yr).

I was thinking about this after my last post and I agree with you on what numbers it will probably take to keep Watson in GB. Honestly, if that is the case, I would actually prefer the Packers shop him during the draft and see if they can get a first or 2nd round for him.

While I know that it is market escalation for WR's to command $30M-42M per season, I'd prefer the Packers spread that money out over 5 players than 1 WR.

 

[milani]

You are probably closer with the 15 year window than I was with the 10. I'm just tired of seeing Packer CB's that are average defenders and terrible tacklers. I'd like to see all 11 defensive guys playing with their hair on fire and I think Parsons is the guy they all of them should watch and learn from by studying his film.

Growing up watching Herb Adderley who could tear the neck off a receiver and pick 6 even HOF QBs made me realize how hard it is to find a very good DB. And even at the safety position, 5'10" Willie Wood, was rated as the hardest tackler in the league during some of his tenure. Neither of these players were seldom out of the lineup and each was used as a kick or punt returner.

 

[gopkrs]

I was thinking about this after my last post and I agree with you on what numbers it will probably take to keep Watson in GB. Honestly, if that is the case, I would actually prefer the Packers shop him during the draft and see if they can get a first or 2nd round for him.

While I know that it is market escalation for WR's to command $30M-42M per season, I'd prefer the Packers spread that money out over 5 players than 1 WR.

Seattle must think there is a way they can do it. They wouldn't imo just dismantle their team for one player. He sure didn't win the super bowl but what a season he had. Not sure Watson is in the same league. Still, it's gonna be a lot of money.