The first Preseason game for the Packers is tomorrow against the New York Jets. With that being said, I take my first shot at predicting the Packers' 53 Man Roster.
**Quarterbacks (2) Jordan Love, Malik Willis**
This seems self explanatory, but the Packers’ leader and young star, Jordan Love will take another year as the starting Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. Right behind him, his backup, Malik Willis, who shined in a few games last year that the Packers would win with Willis starting, will take over the Quarterback two role once again.
As far as the other two in the room, Sean Clifford, and Taylor Elgersma are going to continue to fight it out in Training Camp, as well as the Preseason in order to figure out who truly will take the Quarterback three role, and make the Practice Squad.
**Running Backs (3) Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Emanuel Wilson**
When you look into the Running Back room, the talent is endless. While Josh Jacobs takes the starting role, Lloyd and Wilson to give Jacobs a breather is among the best Running Back rooms in the NFL once again. This room is one of the most loaded on the roster going into camp as well. Behind the three I have making the roster, you have a very talented back in Chris Brooks, who contributed a lot to this team last season, as well as Jalen White, who has been making plays each day. Throw in the South Dakota State standout, Amar Johnson, and newly signed Running Back, Israel Abanikanda, and this room will be a fun one to watch in the Preseason.
**Wide Receiver (7) Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Savion Williams, Malik Heath, Mecole Hardman** **\*Christian Watson\***
The Packers' Wide Receiver Room is one of the most jammed rooms in the league during this Training Camp, with playmaking rookies, talented veterans, and Christian Watson recovering from an injury, this room is going to be one that cuts quite a bit of potential. Starting out with the playmaking rookie, Matthew Golden, who not only has stood out at camp already no matter what team he's working in with, but also has become a reliable target for both Jordan Love, and Malik Willis. Joining Golden in the Wide Receiver Room, talented veterans in Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Romeo Doubs look to take majority of the targets this upcoming season. Throw veteran Mecole Hardman in, as well as Malik Heath, Savion Williams, as well as a recovering Christian Watson, who will join the team later in the season, and you have a room full of talent.
**Tight End (3) Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims**
This Tight End Room is primed to have another great season coming up. With Tucker Kraft, one of the best Tight Ends in the NFL returning this season, alongside Luke Musgrave, and Ben Sims, this room will return a bunch of experience for Jordan Love to lean on. The decision between Ben Sims and John FitzPatrick is going to be a big thing to watch, as FitzPatrick has been making plays, especially recently. Others in the room include, Johnny Lumpkin, and Messiah Swinson, who bring a lot of talent to the table.
**Offensive Line (9) Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Jacob Monk, Kadeem Telfort**
There have been a few different combinations throughout camp of the starters, but there is a group that seems to be locked in. Across the line, Walker, Banks, Jenkins, Rhyan, and Tom seem to be a great starting five. Throwing in Morgan, Belton, Monk, and Telfort gives this offensive line the depth that it needs behind a great starting five to be one of the best rooms in the whole NFL.
**Defensive Ends (6) Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Brenton Cox Jr., Barryn Sorrell, Collin Oliver, Kingsley Enagbare**
The Defensive End room is a room that is looking to build on their season last year, but with veteran leaders in the room such as Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness, they're primed to breakout. Barryn Sorrell, and Colin Oliver are the new guys in the room, who have already taken a leap forward in camp. Throw all of that in with Kingsley Enagbare, a key in the Packers' pass rush from last season, and you have a complete room, that also got younger, as well as quicker.
**Defensive Tackles (5) Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Nazir Stackhouse**
In a room apart of the Defensive Line that is trying to improve its' pass rush this upcoming season, Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, and Colby Wooden look to bring a big impact on the defensive interior. Pair them with Nazir Stackhouse, the UDFA that will make this roster, and you have a lot of talent in a room that is looking to take the next step.
**Linebackers (5) Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah Simmons, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper**
We're to the room that is the heart of the defense in the Linebacker room. In a room headlined by young star, Edgerrin Cooper, veterans, Quay Walker, and Isaiah McDuffie, as well as a camp breakout player in Isaiah Simmons, this room has plenty of talent to go around. While I have the team keeping these five players, the talent between the five is a top room in the league. Cooper will look to take his talents to the next level in year two, while Walker, and McDuffie look to build on what was a great year for the Linebacker room last season. Throw in special teamer, as well as someone who looks to be figuring it out in camp this year in Ty'Ron Hopper, and you have a room that is fully ready to lead the defense once agai this season.
**Cornerbacks (5) Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Corey Ballentine**
Now for one of the most intriguing rooms on the roster, the Cornerback room. The room is headlined by veteran, Keisean Nixon, and young standout, Carrington Valentine. With the offseason acquisition of Nate Hobbs, who has been bringing the fire in camp thus far, the room looks to be in good hands. One of the biggest stories of camp is the position change for Wide Receiver, Bo Melton, back to the position Rutgers originally recruited him for in Cornerback. Through camp, the change could not be off to a better start for Melton, as he has been running as far up as with the first team defense at times, as well as registering multiple interceptions, as well as pass breakups in coverage. Melton will make this 53 man roster simply due to all of the things that he can do. Last but not least, former Packer, Corey Ballentine is back once again after being released by the Colts. Ballentine has been showing why the Packers were quick to scoop him up again, making play after play. Each day of camp, Ballentine has had at least one standout play, and I fully expect him to make this roster.
**Safeties (5) Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo**
The Safety room is one of the best rooms in the league. Featuring First Team All-Pro, Xavier McKinney, standout rookie turned second year player this season in Evan Williams, as well as promising second year players in Javon Bullard, and Kitan Oladapo, this room is loaded. Through camp thus far, the secondary has looked very solid, McKinney and Williams have been taking most of the first team reps, while Bullard has been rotating in at both Safety, as well as Slot Cornerback.
**Kicker (1) Brandon McManus**
The Packers finally have a Kicker when they signed Brandon McManus last season. McManus has also been off to a hot start in training camp thus far, going 46/49 on field goal attempts through camp. This is a solidified spot for McManus.
**Punter (1) Daniel Whelan**
Whelan might have the most secured spot on the team. The Packers have not brought in another Punter to even give Whelan competition thus far.
**Long Snapper (1) Matt Orzech**
Orzech has no competition thus far as well. His spot is just as solidified as Whelan.
Overall, there will be many battles throughout this Preseason and this prediction is subject to change. While it might change, this is based on the grading of film, as well as the notes that I have taken in person each day throughout Training Camp.