Final games big for those on bubble
GREEN BAY - Midway through training camp, the Green Bay Packers have a good idea which group of core players they’ll carry into Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
But competition is still open as the Packers enter the second half of their preseason schedule. In a camp defined by its position battles, jobs on the fringe of their roster remain up for grabs.
Expect the Packers to primarily play their backups in their final two exhibitions Friday at Oakland and next week at Kansas City. A projection of where the Packers’ roster stands heading into their third exhibition shows 32 players as locks to make the team, six as good bets, 23 on the bubble, 28 long shots and one
who will start the season suspended (running back Aaron Jones).
With camp winding down, general manager Brian Gutekunst must submit his first 53-man roster to the league by 3 p.m. Sept. 1. Players can be added to the practice squad at 11 a.m. Sept. 2.
Quarterbacks (2-3)
Lock: Aaron Rodgers
On the bubble: Brett Hundley, DeShone Kizer
Long shot: Tim Boyle
A year ago, Hundley had a 101.6 passer rating midway through the preseason. So although Hundley’s 86.3 rating midway through this preseason would not suggest improvement, he has made a handful of flash plays that keep the Packers optimistic. Meanwhile, Kizer has a 108.1 rating and had a big game against the Steelers, but the offense scored only twice in his four possessions. The Packers seem poised to place Boyle on their practice squad.
Running backs (3-4)
Locks: Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery
Good bet: Aaron Ripkowski
On the bubble: Devante Mays
Long shots: Joel Bouagnon, Bronson Hill, LeShun Daniels, Joe Kerridge
Suspended: Aaron Jones (two games)
It’s a good thing Williams returned to practice this week after injuring his ankle against the Steelers. While Montgomery gives the Packers a changeup option in their backfield, Williams is clearly the workhorse. Expect him to get the bulk of carries until Jones returns from his two-game suspension, giving the Packers their two best runners.
Receivers (6-7)
Locks:Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison
Good bet: Marquez Valdes-Scantling On the bubble: Trevor Davis, J’Mon Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow
Long shots: DeAngelo Yancey, Adonis Jennings, Kyle Lewis
Allison has quietly established himself as the No. 3 receiver.Valdes-Scantling probably put himself on the 53 with a big-time preseason opener, catching five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Moore seemed poised for a significant role in the Packers’ offense when camp began, but his inability to catch the football has him fighting for a roster spot. St. Brown has a rare sizespeed combination and has had a steady camp, but there haven’t been many flash plays. With the rookies receiving much of the attention, Davis has been sidelined most of the month because of a strained hamstring. Kumerow appeared to play his way onto the 53-man roster early in camp.
Tight ends (3)
Locks: Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis, Lance Kendricks
Long shots: Robert Tonyan, Emanuel Byrd, Ryan Smith, Kevin Rader
The Packers have their most experienced tight ends group in recent memory, but it only goes three deep. Graham has been a revelation this offseason. Lewis and Kendricks are solid veterans who fill a role. There has been enough flash from Tonyan and Byrd to earn a spot on the practice squad.
Offensive line (9-10)
Locks: David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Lane Taylor, Justin McCray, Corey Linsley
On the bubble: Kyle Murphy, Jason Spriggs, Byron Bell, Lucas Patrick, Adam Pankey, Dillon Day
Long shots: Kofi Amichia, Alex Light, Austin Davis
The starting five is set, cemented with Bulaga’s remarkable recovery from a torn ACL last November. Murphy is the third tackle and, despite his problems on the left side this preseason, solid on the right side. Spriggs has been a disappointment, unable to make a jump in a critical camp.
Defensive line (5)
Locks: Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Muhammad Wilkerson, Dean Lowry Good bet: Montravius Adams
Long shots: James Looney, Tyler Lancaster, Joey Mbu, Conor Sheehy
A rare position that seems set on paper. Adams is a wild card who has flashed the interior, pass-rush ability that enticed the Packers to draft him in the third round last year. If he continues to develop, he might push for playing time this fall.
Inside linebackers (3)
Locks: Blake Martinez, Oren Burks On the bubble: Ahmad Thomas, Greer Martini
Long shots: James Crawford, Marcus Porter, Naashon Hughes
Jake Ryan’s torn ACL left this position thin on numbers and experience. It also opened the door to Thomas or Martini, though it would be a stretch for the Packers to keep both. Martinez and Burks will play almost all the snaps this season if they stay healthy.
Outside linebackers (5-6)
Locks: Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Reggie Gilbert
Good bet: Kyler Fackrell
On the bubble: Chris Odom, Vince Biegel
Long shots: Kendall Donnerson,
James Hearns
New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine identified his top four outside linebackers Wednesday in Matthews, Perry, Gilbert and Fackrell. Gilbert has been one of the most encouraging developments, giving the Packers a third edge rusher who could get after the QB. Fackrell’s preseason has been up and down.
Cornerbacks (6-7)
Locks: Tramon Williams, Kevin King, Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson
Good bet: Davon House
On the bubble: Demetri Goodson, Josh Hawkins
Long shots: Herb Waters, Donatello Brown, Lenzy Pipkins
It’s unclear how well Williams’ 35year-old body can withstand the rigors of a season, but he has been everything the Packers could’ve hoped so far. King will be the top cornerback – if he remains healthy. Alexander and Jackson have had their moments.
Safeties (4-5)
Locks: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Kentrell Brice, Josh Jones
Good bet: Jermaine Whitehead
On the bubble: Quinten Rollins, Marwin Evans
Long shot: Raven Greene
If he stays healthy, Brice is poised to be Morgan Burnett’s replacement starting alongside Clinton-Dix on the back end. The Packers like his physicality and intelligence, though he can sometimes overrun plays because of his aggressiveness. Jones has all the physical skills, but needs to play more consistently.
Specialists (3)
Locks: Mason Crosby, JK Scott
On the bubble: Hunter Bradley, Zach Triner
Crosby and Scott could give the Packers one of the top kicker-punter combinations in the league.