Roster: Tom Silverstein analyzes the 53-man roster,
1. AARON RODGERS, QB After Carson Palmer’s retirement, Rodgers, 34, became the sixth-oldest starting quarterback in the NFL. He has broken both of his collarbones, costing him seven games in 2013 and nine in ’17, but otherwise has missed only one other start because of injury (concussion, 2010). After signing a four-year, $134 million extension Aug. 30, Rodgers will be under contract with the Packers until he’s 40, and he seems determined to play that long.
2. DAVID BAKHTIARI, LT The Packers witnessed how much Bakhtiari meant to them when he pulled his left hamstring last year and missed four games. The offense changed, even while Rodgers was still healthy, to account for the sixthyear tackle’s absence. There’s no amount of single-blocking Bakhtiari can’t handle and his running blocking is better than average. He was a second-team All-Pro each of the last two seasons and should have been a Pro Bowl selection also. He’s a bargain at $12 million per year.
3. DAVANTE ADAMS, WR He’s not among the fastest receivers. He isn’t among the tallest. He doesn’t have the longest arms. And his hands aren’t that big. But he has some of the sweetest feet in the NFL and his work ethic has him on the verge of a breakout season. He had an outstanding training camp and in Rodgers’ only exhibition game appearance, he caught a short slant and broke loose for a 27-yard gain.
4. NICK PERRY, OLB Perry has the potential to be the team’s best defensive player. But he must play a lot more than 49.4 percent of the snaps as he did last season due to hand, hamstring and ankle injuries. The medical staff brought him back slowly from ankle surgery and he’s had a lot of time to work on his flexibility, so he comes into the season free of injury.
5. KENNY CLARK, NT Now in his third season, Clark, 22, is finally the age most guys are when they get drafted. There isn’t one attribute that sticks out with him, he’s just a good football player with a great attitude and growing strength. Mike Pettine is going to sacrifice him a lot so that others can rush free to the quarterback.
6. MUHAMMAD WILKERSON, DT
The Packers better hope
Wilkerson isn’t the 2018 version of Joe Johnson, the hard-working, wellrespected defensive end that coach/GM Mike Sherman signed in 2002. Once he got paid, Johnson went on sabbatical and played like he didn’t care anymore. Wilkerson is only 28 and he might have worn out his welcome with the New York Jets, but he has plenty of talent left and all the motivation in the world to succeed.
7. JIMMY GRAHAM, TE Don’t think of the 30-yard veteran as a tight end. He’s a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. Graham had 16 touchdowns in his last two seasons with Seattle, so he can still be a force in the red zone. But scouts say he has lost speed and his ability to split safeties isn’t what it used to be.
8. MIKE DANIELS, DE Once one of the top two or three players on defense, Daniels slipped some last year. He played in 60 percent of the snaps and finished with five sacks, six quarterback hits and three pressures. A former member of the organization said last year Daniels wouldn’t come out of the game when told, took chances that screwed up the scheme and was getting harder to control. He had a quiet camp due to a thigh injury, but one of the few practices where he was allowed to turn it loose, he dominated pass-rushing drills.
9. CLAY MATTHEWS, OLB The 10th-year pro was a lot more disruptive than people gave him credit for last season. He led the team with 12 quarterback hits and 12 pressures and chipped in six tackles for loss. What was missing were splash plays. He had the hit on quarterback DeShone Kizer that caused a late interception in Cleveland,
but just one forced fumble and two pass deflections. If he isn’t getting to the quarterback this year, it might be time to move him inside.
10. BLAKE MARTINEZ, ILB
During the offseason, Martinez worked hard to tone his body and get it ready for another season of around 1,000 snaps. He was beat up at the end of last year and knowing that he would be on the field every down for Pettine, he went to work on making sure he was ready. He looked quicker both in his drops and his rushes.
11. BRYAN BULAGA, RT At some point, Bulaga is going to crumble like a house of cards given all the injuries he has suffered. But it doesn’t appear it’s going to happen this year. He is in great physical condition and the only question is whether his surgically repaired knees, battered ankles and beat-up hip will hold up. He was having a terrific year when he tore his right ACL last year, sharing in just one sack.
12. HA HA CLINTON-DIX, S
After his embarrassing performance in the season finale against Detroit where it appeared he passed up tackles he should have attempted, Clinton-Dix has a lot to prove to scouts around the league, especially if he wants them to pursue him in free agency. It doesn’t appear the Packers have made a move or plan to make a move to re-sign him before the season ends.
13. KEVIN KING, CB
If he didn’t have chronic shoulder problems, King might have a top-10 ranking. He has worked hard at improving his jam at the line of scrimmage and he knows how to use his height and length to his advantage. Last year, he tried to play with a brace on his left shoulder, but wound up on injured reserve so he could have his labrum repaired.
14. AARON JONES, RB
A potential star in the making, Jones showed last year that he’s as explosive as any back in the division. He also showed bad judgment in getting slapped with a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance
abuse program. Jones was on pace for 18 rushes of 20 or more yards but he suffered a pair of torn MCL injuries that curtailed his season.
15. RANDALL COBB, WR In the final year of his contract, Cobb is out of the shadow of Jordy Nelson and clearly the No. 2 receiver behind Adams. He’s going to be given every opportunity to prove he’s more than just a slot receiver whose best work is on scramble plays. He had 68 catches last year but averaged just 9.9 yards per attempt. With Rodgers back under center, he needs to win routes more often and break more tackles, which has been one of his strengths.
16. COREY LINSLEY, C While linemen were dropping one by one around him, Linsley was immovable. He played every snap, the only constant on an offensive line in which the favored five starters played together just twice and the starting lineup changed from one week to the next 11 times. Linsley’s pass protection was very good and he handled some tough run-blocking assignments.
17. LANE TAYLOR, G Came into his own last year. He and Bakhtiari made it as attractive to run to the left as to the right. Taylor greatly improved his pass blocking as evidenced by the decision to start him at left tackle for two games last year. He, Bakhtiari and Linsley have been together a while now and are developing good chemistry, especially when Taylor is asked to pull.
18. TRAMON WILLIAMS, CB
You don’t see a lot of 35-year-old cornerbacks in the NFL, but when you see what kind of shape Williams keeps himself in it’s clear why he’s still around. This a player who has learned the tricks of the trade and is getting by more with his smarts than his pure athletic ability.
19. JAMAAL WILLIAMS, RB
During the offseason, the 6-foot, 213-pound back put on some added muscle and it showed in the way he handled blocking assignments in pass protection. He didn’t get much of a chance to show himself in camp or the exhibition games and so it’s hard to tell if he can break more tackles and run for longer distances.
20. MASON CROSBY, K Had a really good training camp despite having a new holder and snapper. Hit all six of his field goal attempts in the games and all 13 extra points. Converted two onside kicks last year and has had eight recovered since 2010, the most in the NFL during the span. Attempted only 19 field goals last year because the offense was so bad. Dealt with a swinging door at the long snapper position.
21. JUSTIN MCCRAY, G He’s powerful and when he gets his hands inside he can drive players down the line. He’s strong enough to slow some players with one arm. His pass blocking is inconsistent and often not pretty, but he’s come a long way with it. Speed will sometimes cause him to lose his balance and that’s when he gets in trouble.
22. JASON SPRIGGS, T His value to the team could be enormous if something happens to Bakhtiari or Bulaga. He seemed to struggle with the 20 pounds he put on in the offseason. Then, suddenly, he came through in the Oakland game and started to build off that performance. He seems more comfortable at left tackle than right tackle and will be the first lineman off the bench, possibly even if it’s at guard.
23. GERONIMO ALLISON, WR
A great story because of his perseverance to go from the practice squad all the way to the No. 3 receiver position. He still has limitations and getting stripped of the ball as the Packers were driving for a potential gametying touchdown in Carolina last year is hard to forget. He did not force his way into the lineup last year and will need to perform when given an opportunity because three rookies are waiting to steal his playing time. He needs to cut down on drops and find ways to turn short passes into longer gains.
24. JAIRE ALEXANDER, CB
He didn’t get a chance to play as much as the coaches would have liked, but at practice and in games his speed and fearlessness were evident. He got beat for a deep ball in Oakland and then came back with an interception. He can run with most anybody, but he’s going to find out speed isn’t everything. Route running is just as important.
25. TY MONTGOMERY, RB
Probably the best poundfor-pound athlete on the team, but he can’t stay healthy. He has missed 19 games over three seasons. It’s time for the coaches to stop considering him a running back and use him as a gadget player.
26. DAVON HOUSE, CB He doesn’t have the 4.4 speed he had coming out of college, but he’s a big corner with bump ability and he will contend on most deep balls. He doesn’t blow assignments and doesn’t try to do too much, leaving others exposed.
27. REGGIE GILBERT, OLB Once a defensive lineman in college, Gilbert needed two years to make the transition to outside linebacker and the Packers are glad they were patient with him. Outperformed Kyler Fackrell, Chris Odom, Vince Biegel and others in camp and will start the season as the No. 3 outside linebacker.
28. DEAN LOWRY, DE Doesn’t do anything great but gives a lot of effort and has a knack for getting his hands up on passing downs. Ate up a good number of snaps last year – 47.3 percent – and did had seven quarterback pressures, but just two sacks and two quarterback hits.
29. JOSH JACKSON, CB
It might not be long before Jackson gets on the field. Most thought he was not a good fit for Pettine’s system because of his zone background at Iowa, but he has adapted well to man-to-man coverage and shown the same ball-hawking skills he had in college.
30. KENTRELL BRICE, S Being a big hitter isn’t as attractive as it used to be, not with the new helmet and defenseless player rules. It’s lucky for Brice that he has good straight-line speed and knows where he’s supposed to be on the field.
31. OREN BURKS, OLB After Jake Ryan tore his ACL, Burks was inserted into the starting lineup and was learning on the run when he dislocated his shoulder in warm-ups before the Oakland game. The coaches still have high hopes for him because he’s so big and athletic.
32. JK SCOTT, P
The first punter the Packers have drafted since B.J. Sander in 2004, Scott comes with big-game experience, having played for Alabama. His hang time was outstanding during camp and his distance consistent, but when he got into the games he had some blips.
33. JOSH JONES, S There probably isn’t a more aggressive player on the team and his combination of size and speed make scouts drool. The problem is he didn’t take to Dom Capers’ scheme and made way too many mental errors.
34. MARCEDES LEWIS, TE
There aren’t many blocking tight ends better than Lewis. That’s really all the Packers need him to do, but the 34-yearold caught six touchdowns in the regular season and postseason combined last year for Jacksonville and so anything he adds in the
passing game is a big plus.
35. TREVOR DAVIS, WR/PR/KR
His blazing speed and a couple of big returns last year secured him a roster spot for another year. He made some questionable decisions last year and probably isn’t on a long leash.
36. LANCE KENDRICKS, TE
He can play just about everywhere, which is the reason he was kept around. Of the four tight ends, he’s the one who can play fullback. He isn’t a good blocker but he tries and he can move, so he’ll see time both in-line and in the slot.
37. ANTONIO MORRISON, ILB
He was cast away by the Indianapolis Colts, who thought he didn’t fit their 4-3 defense because he isn’t good in coverage. He’s not a three-down player and will be used mostly on early downs.
38. J'MON MOORE, WR
He’s a fourth-round pick and Gutekunst wasn’t going to give up on him that quickly. His lack of concentration is a big problem. Until he consistently catches the ball in practice, he’s going to be on the bench.
39. DESHONE KIZER, QB
He didn’t win the backup position on performance. He won it because he’s a better prospect than Brett Hundley and has a lot more room to grow. He’ll get a lot of snaps on the scout teams in practice, but if something happens to Rodgers, he’s not ready to do any better than Hundley did last year.
40. MONTRAVIUS ADAMS, DE
The Packers would like him to be ranked a lot higher than this. But he’s going to have to start using that quickness off the ball to his advantage and make some plays.
41. KYLER FACKRELL, OLB
His greatest strength is special teams and he’ll continue to be a staple on those units. As for linebacker, Fackrell still gives up contain too much and just doesn’t have the bulk to contend with NFL tackles.
42. JERMAINE WHITEHEAD, S
After flashing on special teams, Whitehead started to earn some time on defense last year and under Pettine he has found a similar niche. He’s athletic enough to play in the slot in coverage or up in the box as a third safety.
43. MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING, WR This will probably be a learning year for the rookie. He’s got excellent speed and a long frame, but he’s going to have to work hard this season and next to bulk up
There’s not a lot of great tape of Patrick, but when he is thrust into the lineup he plays hard and to the whistle. He can play both guard spots and center.
45. EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN, WR
He might have a better chance of playing this year than the other rookies because he seems to be in the right place at the right time and can hang onto the ball.
46. ROBERT TONYAN, TE
He looked like an accomplished receiving tight end in the games, albeit against third-string guys, many of whom aren’t in the NFL anymore. But he has a future.
47. BYRON BELL, OL
At times it looked like Bell was on his last legs, but then he’d drive a guy off the line of scrimmage. He’s beat up, but has more than 70 NFL starts, can play guard or tackle and will do whatever it takes to get his guy blocked.
48. RAVEN GREENE, S
Greene played solid special teams and seemed to grasp what was going on defensively. It’s questionable whether he’ll be active much this season.
49. JAMES CRAWFORD, OLB
If you ever want to see how a guy can make a team with a strong performance in the fourth exhibition game, watch Crawford against the Chiefs. He was determined to put every guy he ran into on special teams flat on his back.
50. TIM BOYLE, QB
At times it really seemed like Boyle could play if something were to happen to Rodgers. But two bad interceptions against Kansas City made it evident he’s got a long way to go.
51. DARIUS JACKSON, RB
He’s a top-notch athlete at 6-foot, 220 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. He’s basically on a two-week tryout until Aaron Jones returns.
52. KOREY TOOMER, ILB
He’ll be a candidate for special teams and gives the defense some insurance if Burks isn’t ready to start the season because of his shoulder injury.
53. HUNTER BRADLEY, LS Consider Bradley on a short leash. It didn’t appear he was the better of the two long snappers during camp, but Gutekunst stuck with his draft pick. He’s last on the list because he could be first gone.