How many roster spots truly are "up for grabs"...

[tynimiller]

It happens every single Training Camp, and truthfully even before that after the draft. Folks clamoring about the potential of a 7th round pick that should have been a Day2 guy in their opinion or an UDFA that is just an "absolute steal". None of those things however, despite even how true they may be, changes the simple fact of the incredible hurdle of making an NFL roster for most of the guys that fit this description.

With that in mind, let's truly work through the Green Bay roster as it is and just how many spots are even truly up for grabs (barring injury or trades opening up additional).

In reviewing the roster I come to 43 zero doubters for me, leaving just 10 spots but truthfully those arguably disappear quickly...those are listed below:

QB - Love and Willis
RB - Jacobs, Lloyd, Wilson
TE - Kraft, Musgrave, Sims
WR - Doubs, Reed, Wicks, Golden, Williams
OL - Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan, Tom, Morgan, Belton, Monk
DL - Clark, Wyatt, Brooks, Wooden
DE/OLB - Gary, LVN, Enagbare, Cox, Sorrell
LB - Quay, Edgerrin, Simmons, McDuffie, Hopper
LB/DE Hybrid - Oliver
CB - Hobbs, Nixon, Valentine
S - Xavier, Williams, Bullard
P - Whelan
K - McManus
LS - Orzech

Now if you go further in, and look at what positions really truly have chances for roster spots without injuries IMO you can cross off quarterback, running back, tight end, punter, kicker, long snapper.

Cornerback (2 spots likely up for grabs...maybe 3) is the one position in truth even without injury we could see someone that isn't arguably a "lock" become a real true contributor this season. It is also the most wide open position IMO as it is a spot that typically we keep 5 or more unless we play the PUP game like we've done before. With Hobbs, Nixon and Valentine the only clear roster holders, that means the likes of two guys with such high staff praise in Kalen King and Kamal Hadden out of returning guys with some experience in the system might be the two with the best chance. However, guys like big athletic Tyron Herring from Delaware (UDFA), position switching Bo Melton or late rounder Micah Robinson have a better chance than many would like to think they should this year too.

OL - There are 2 maybe 3 spots open...I see the 8 guys listed as likely locks, but there are a few that have tasted making the roster before in Telfort and Glover...and there is Donovan Jennings an UDFA from last year that really has impressed that perhaps eat up the 9th, 10th and 11th spot (we typically keep 10 or 11). A lot could change here though and in truth if growth from those three and promise from a Tyler Cooper or John Williams perhaps...or if Trey Hill comes in and shows why he has stayed in the league for four years...Brant Banks is a mountain of a man from Rice many think could be the next Yosh type project....there is a LOT to be encouraged by with this OL group. Perhaps the biggest controlling factor might just be the Jenkins contract talks...the fallout that could trickle down from that might impact the direction we see the Packers go here.

Safety...I'd say 1 spot for sure, but likely 2...this position is one where we are so incredibly top heavy with blessed players (X, Evan, Javon) that I think this could be a position that we keep only 4 perhaps after seemingly always keeping five - however that said Zayne Anderson is positioned very strong and one could argue should have been one of the locked but even if he is likelihood is trends say we keep a fifth which means Kitan Oladapo or James Baldwin (UDFA) likely round this group out. Other safeties of note would be the oober athletic profile Omar Brown, Kahzir Brown (rookie) also are out there making plays.

Wide Receiver...1 spot likely, and the winner might not even play much. Truth be told the attention being given to the Will Sheppard signing has cracked me up from the start...even the Mecole Hardman signing to an extent did too when folks acted like we'd signed a clear WR2 level type guy (which we didn't). Truth is though we have 3 incredibly experienced guys (albeit Wicks and Reed struggling last year) + Golden and Williams. That's five, and arguably our most versatile threat in Watson will also be back at some point....Might the team keep 6...sure could, but that means likely that Heath or Hardman take it given their experience....but might the team keep only 5 knowing they have Watson coming back and Melton could be that security blanket guy despite him playing CB too now. I envision 6 and I don't see a world that exists that it isn't Heath or Hardman - however, given the contract situations of Doubs and Watson guys like Will Sheppard, Cornelius Johnson and Julian Hicks are playing with a serious eye to 2026, when there is a genuine chance both Doubs and Watson might not be here.

DL (one spot for sure up for grabs...could there be two?)...we've always kept typically 11 or 12 guys between the DL and the edge dudes. The easiest thing is to say Nazir Stackhouse given his abilities, pedigree and position replaces TJ Slaton snaps (or somewhat) which would put us at 12 if you include Oliver in the bunch given that the off ball LBs are at five already. Where does that leave Warren Brinson...does he bump Colby Wooden - perhaps...would we keep 13 guys along the front...I just don't think so.

If we went with the above that would be 10 spots and we'd be at 53...

What other spots do you genuinely think there is a spot up for grabs?

Running Back - I feel some will say this but in truth we have four roster worthy guys with proven abilities but we just don't keep 4 basically ever...Jacobs, Lloyd and Wilson likely are the three horsemen and we let the dust fall and PS Brooks or any of the talented young guys we have here as well IMO.

 

[El Guapo]

Special teams coach

 

[tynimiller]

Special teams coach

LOL right!

 

[OldSchool101]

Good stuff. I think the thing to remember also as a side note is this. While there are 53 Roster spots, there are many ways to make a team if you’re that guy that is injured now or you are filling in for an injured player. While most won’t see the 53, there’s over 25 players beyond the 53 that will pop in and out of PS (17) IR (8) and Non football injury etc. m

For those fringe players. I’d like to compliment them. I think I did the math one time and I’m sure I’m off some. There are over 35,000 College football players from every known level
and that does not include international athletes. Roughly 260 get drafted. Think about that for a second. If your a Priorty FA you’re in the top 350-450
Best players in the world, with a legit opportunity to showcase and to knock someone off that elite 250 etc. Top that with it churns by adding players EVERY season from that 35K ++. It’s just insane how elite you have to be to make camp. Many superstars will never suit up, just out of pure numbers making it cloudy.

I bring that up because if that was my kid or my nephew etc? I’d be pretty damn proud you’re at camp and stretching alongside the likes of X or Cooper or Love etc.

 

[tynimiller]

Good stuff. I think the thing to remember also as a side note is this. While there are 53 Roster spots, there are many ways to make a team if you’re that guy that is injured now or you are filling in for an injured player. While most won’t see the 53, there’s over 25 players beyond the 53 that will pop in and out of PS (17) IR (8) and Non football injury etc. m

For those fringe players. I’d like to compliment them. I think I did the math one time and I’m sure I’m off some. There are over 35,000 College football players from every known level
and that does not include international athletes. Roughly 260 get drafted. Think about that for a second. If your a Priorty FA you’re in the top 350-450
Best players in the world, with a legit opportunity to showcase and to knock someone off that elite 250 etc. Top that with it churns by adding players EVERY season from that 35K ++. It’s just insane how elite you have to be to make camp. Many superstars will never suit up, just out of pure numbers making it cloudy.

I bring that up because if that was my kid or my nephew etc? I’d be pretty damn proud you’re at camp and stretching alongside the likes of X or Cooper or Love etc.

Oh for sure! I have played softball in the past with many a guy that made some Practice Squads and the level of athlete they are is beyond what many even realize. There are very few human beings capable of sniffing the practice field.

 

[OldSchool101]

Mostly agree with all the players. Maybe Only 2 that might have an edge, but are not locks are Wooden or Sims. IMO neither have done enough of should I say “have done not enough” thus far. I would not be confident in a lock if im either guy. Other than that pretty good list. I’d normally include Melton, but they just love that kid. He must be a really good guy it’s like the Coaches and staff want him there. That’s fine they see the potential and I love that about an underdog. They like Bo up with the 1’s. That’s tells me a lot imo. I know he’s not a 1 today but they want him to get snaps there.

I think internally there’s a half dozen spots truly up for grabs. Plus during the season we’ll see another 5-6 spots rotate in and out of that 53

I think the best you can hope for past QB3 and CB for an undrafted type is getting on that Practice squad. That’s 17 spots available there and then you just grind until it’s your turn.

 

[tynimiller]

Mostly agree with all the players. Maybe Only 2 that might have an edge, but are not locks are Wooden or Sims. IMO neither have done enough of should I say “have done not enough” thus far. I would not be confident in a lock if im either guy. Other than that pretty good list.
I think internally there’s a half dozen spots truly up for grabs. Plus during the season we’ll see another 5-6 spots rotate in and out of that 53

I think the best you can hope for past QB3 and CB for an undrafted type is getting on that Practice squad. That’s 17 spots available there and then you just grind until it’s your turn.

Wooden I hear you, but Sims - I think he has proven so much in Musgrave's absence to be capable but not special. The issue is more who is here that knocks him out?

I'm actually shocked we didn't draft a Day3 TE in truth...

 

[OldSchool101]

Wooden I hear you, but Sims - I think he has proven so much in Musgrave's absence to be capable but not special. The issue is more who is here that knocks him out?

I'm actually shocked we didn't draft a Day3 TE in truth...

Well that’s true there’s nobody jumping off the page behind Kraft and Musgrave. It was a quiet Offseason at TE. I had us going after a Day 3 TE in my draft contest. Tyler Davis went down with an ACL and while he resigned, went on season ending IR to start last season. That project is over.

Sometimes having that TE that’s just familiar with the playbook and system is adequate for a 3rd option. That would be Sims or Fitzpatrick

Packers Training Camp Preview: Tight End Battles, X-Factor, Game-Changer

GREEN BAY, Wis. – For the third consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers are hoping to find out what Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave can do together. With the fir

www.si.com

 

[tynimiller]

Well that’s true there’s nobody jumping off the page behind Kraft and Musgrave. It was a quiet Offseason at TE. I had us going after a Day 3 TE in my draft contest. Tyler Davis went down with an ACL and while he resigned, went on season ending IR to start last season. That project is over.

Sometimes having that TE that’s just familiar with the playbook and system is adequate for a 3rd option. That would be Sims or Fitzpatrick

Packers Training Camp Preview: Tight End Battles, X-Factor, Game-Changer

GREEN BAY, Wis. – For the third consecutive year, the Green Bay Packers are hoping to find out what Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave can do together. With the fir

www.si.com

Fitzpatrick is far more a Hback style but if he's capable of doing more inline roles I could see him pushing Sims. Honestly, the structure of the roster could easily see him and Sims both given he is a FB/Hback TE type.

 

[El Guapo]

I think that Sims is a good-enough backup TE with two potential stars ahead of him. I would have actually been a bit concerned if they wasted a draft pick on a position that I think is just fine.

 

[tynimiller]

I think that Sims is a good-enough backup TE with two potential stars ahead of him. I would have actually been a bit concerned if they wasted a draft pick on a position that I think is just fine.

When they didn’t draft a late round flyer or really go after a high potential guy IMO in UDFA I really know the belief they have had in Sims is real.

He is a very athletic profiled TE and many recall he was a guy many were bummed we didn’t take a flyer pick on and then when we nabbed him it was awesome to see.

In truth if you asked me which is more likely - Musgrave having 800 yards receiving or Sims having more offensive snaps than Musgrave this year AND in both hypotheticals both are healthy all year - I’m betting the house on the latter.

Ben’s ceiling isn’t nearly where Musgrave is, but Musgrave hasn’t proven he can be that blocker you have to be in this system.

 

[El Guapo]

I agree with everything that you wrote. He is the perfect backup right now, who can move the ball when needed because he doesn't appear to be a threat...yet he can also block. Why throw in a rookie to compete for a spot that we truthfully don't want a third guy competing. We need Kraft and Musgrave taking as many snaps as they can safely handle.

 

[OldSchool101]

When they didn’t draft a late round flyer or really go after a high potential guy IMO in UDFA I really know the belief they have had in Sims is real.

He is a very athletic profiled TE and many recall he was a guy many were bummed we didn’t take a flyer pick on and then when we nabbed him it was awesome to see.

In truth if you asked me which is more likely - Musgrave having 800 yards receiving or Sims having more offensive snaps than Musgrave this year AND in both hypotheticals both are healthy all year - I’m betting the house on the latter.

Ben’s ceiling isn’t nearly where Musgrave is, but Musgrave hasn’t proven he can be that blocker you have to be in this system.

Exactly what I was going to say about the Blocking role. Since Mercedes left we’ve kinda missed that reverse role 6th OL type that can also leek out for a pass occasional. Fitzpatrick has the size and he was like a 70’s graded blocker at Georgia. He’s 6’7 262lb and honestly could easily hang around 270lb but he’s not going to threaten the seam and from what I read isn’t really at that 6th OL level, at least yet.

IMO you need to have an adequate Blocking TE and if Sims can be adequate level there, he is absolutely proficient there in the Receiving game. I mean he set a single School record at Baylor with 9 TD’s. The guy has a little Tonyan in him

 

[OldSchool101]

I agree with everything that you wrote. He is the perfect backup right now, who can move the ball when needed because he doesn't appear to be a threat...yet he can also block. Why throw in a rookie to compete for a spot that we truthfully don't want a third guy competing. We need Kraft and Musgrave taking as many snaps as they can safely handle.

I can see both sides. We spent a PAIR of Day 2 selections recently which is a ton of Draft Capital at the TE position. My idea pre draft was to go out and get a Player that graded high in the blocking aspect but might also have just enough proficiency to catch a Pass here and there. Problem was my ideal options were graded in that 4th-6th draft Rounds and honestly there were just too many good Defenders on the Board. You gotta draw the line somewhere.

I’m totally agreeable in spreading resources though. You go back to the Georgia vs Texas Championship game. That was a Back n Forth punches thrown through OT and imo if not for a pair of missed FG’s by Texas could’ve been a Longhorns Victory. It’s like they had the Spirit of Narveson for a Placekicker. We peeled off 4 Players from that high level game. Golden, Sorrell, Brinson and Stackhouse.
I’m totally ok with the trade off of not spending resources on a Blocking TE that might see 25% snaps or less not that Musgrave looks healthy.

I still think 1 of either Sorrell or Oliver is going to surprise us. Meaning like 4th and 5th Rounds versions of Karl Brooks type disruption. I feel like both players in many drafts would’ve went more like 3rd/4th Rounds. Oliver is crazy athletic, he’s like an undersized heat seeking missile. If he disrupts a play early our LB’s are going to Mop some people up.