Training camp is less than two weeks away, and the battle for playing time, as well as roster spots, will soon begin in earnest.
Like last year, the Packers have an exceptionally deep and competitive roster, and that means some players who had real roles on the team in recent years are likely to be cut this time around.
This is not to say they cannot return to the practice squad, but Green Bay had a host of players claimed by other teams at cut down time back in 2024, and they could be a prime spot for clubs to pick from once again this year.
Here are the ten most prominent and likely Packers who could miss out on the 53-man roster in 2025:
Emanuel Wilson
With former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd missing most of his rookie year, Wilson became a valuable backup to Josh Jacobs, and ran the ball well when given opportunities. In fact, he ranked 12th at PFF in overall grade among running backs last year.
However, Lloyd is a certainty to make the team, and if Green Bay only keeps three backs on the roster in order to open up spots elsewhere, and Matt LaFleur and Brian Gutekunst want their third back to primarily be reliable on third down and in pass protection, Wilson could miss out.
Bo Melton
Melton has been a real part of the Packers offense since the back end of the 2023 season, but with Green Bay drafting two receivers in the first three rounds, including a similar body type in Matthew Golden, the fourth-year receiver faces an uphill battle to make the team, never mind play.
If released, Melton is likely to draw interest and could be a viable number three or four receiver on most teams.
Zayne Anderson
A strong special teams presence, Anderson has also been solid when called into action from scrimmage, but with Xavier McKinney and three 2024 draft picks who have all shown encouraging signs ahead of him, this may be the year his run with Green Bay comes to an end.
Ultimately his special teams value may save him, but with McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and Kitan Oladapo on the roster, and Anderson turning 29 by the end of the season, the Packers may feel his roster spot can be better used elsewhere.
Mecole Hardman
Hardman’s impressive plays in OTAs have got him off on the right foot, but set to earn only a modest salary and having been signed before the Packers drafted Golden and Savion Williams, he is still not a guarantee to make the team by any means.
The ceiling of what he has produced on offense, as well as his experience, likely gives Hardman a leg up over the other wideouts he is competing for a roster spot with, but he still may need to win the kick and punt return jobs to justify his place on the team.
Brenton Cox Jr.
After the Packers traded Preston Smith to the Steelers at the deadline last year, Cox started to see the field more as a rotational pass rusher and made the most of it, flashing some real potential.
But with Lukas Van Ness seemingly set to become a true starter this year, and plenty of competition for the backup spots, Cox will have to win his job all over again in 2025.
Chris Brooks
If Green Bay only keeps three running backs this year, Brooks is the other stylistic choice to Wilson as a less dynamic, albeit still solid runner, who has become trustworthy in the other aspects of the position.
In the end, Wilson and Brooks may both make the team, but if it comes down to one or the other, it will be a tough decision.
Malik Heath
Heath has had real value as a physical, bruising receiver who can win in contested situations as well as being a plus run blocker, but like the other receivers on this list, has his work cut out for him to make the team.
Melton and Hardman are more dynamic receivers and have both had bigger offensive roles throughout their careers, so Heath will need to take his play to a new level in 2025 to be in the mix.
Arron Mosby
Like Cox, Mosby also saw the field a decent amount down the stretch in 2024, and is a viable fourth edge rusher.
The EDGE room is now crowded though after the drafting of Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver, and Mosby is probably the first player who could fall victim to the depth of the group.
Kingsley Enagbare
Enagbare has been a successful fifth-round pick, giving the Packers three years of satisfactory ‘number three’ EDGE play, and even became a starter after the trade deadline in 2024.
He was not as impactful as a starter though, and his ceiling may be that of a backup. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, with younger players who potentially have more upside nipping at his heels, it would not be a shock to see Enagbare cut at the end of camp.
Colby Wooden
Former fourth-rounder Wooden has not managed to find a clear role in the defense yet, and the Packers have asked him to put on weight in each of his offseasons as they try to find the right way to utilize him.
Green Bay did not spend any premium capital on defensive tackles this spring, but based on Wooden’s underwhelming play through two years, and the more natural run stopping abilities of rookies Warren Brinson and Nazir Stackhouse, Wooden’s time could be up if he does not take a step.