(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
The Packers just completed their second of three preseason games with an exciting come-from-behind 23-19 victory over the Colts. It was another ugly start for the offense, but unlike last week, we saw a major turnaround in the second half, leading to the victory.
My main takeaway from this game was the offensive line play. Specifically, the tackles. We saw Jordan Morgan get the start at left tackle while rookie Anthony Belton got the nod at right tackle.
It was another strong performance from Morgan, who held down the blind side very well and now has a legitimate chance to start at left tackle in the regular season. The same cannot be said for Belton, who committed five (FIVE) penalties in the first half alone. To be fair, the second half was much cleaner for Belton. He committed zero penalties and had a key block on an Amar Johnson touchdown run.
Outside of that, there isn't too much to take away from this game other than injuries (sigh). Marshawn Lloyd got his first game action since last year and left with hamstring tightness and will miss "some time." Lloyd's inability to stay on the field is beyond belief at this point. We also saw rookie edge rusher Barryn Sorrell leave the game with a knee injury that will also cause him to miss "some time." Sorrell had a very nice debut against the Jets, so this injury really hurts. Hopefully, we'll see him back soon.
We still have one week of preseason football left to play, but I'm not going to allow that to stop me from having some fun predicting the team's 53-man roster. This isn't my final prediction, but I think it's good to take stock of where we are at right now and see where things stand.
Quarterback (2)
Jordan Love
Malik Willis
No surprises here. Willis is the clear backup. The only question now is who will be the guy they end up keeping on the practice squad. I want to say it will be Taylor Elgersma, but he has looked very uncomfortable in the pocket thus far. I think they'll feel better about Sean Clifford and bring him back once again.
Running Back (3)
Josh Jacobs
Emanuel Wilson
Chris Brooks
Marshawn Lloyd (PUP)
Having to put Marshawn Lloyd on the PUP list to start the season is heartbreaking, but I think that's the most likely outcome at this point. If I'm wrong and we see Lloyd on the active roster, I think it will be Brooks who makes the team over Wilson. While Wilson is the better pure runner, that's not what teams look for in their RB3. They want someone who can play on 3rd downs and pass protect, which is exactly where Brooks thrives and Wilson struggles.
Wide Receiver (6)
Romeo Doubs
Jayden Reed
Dontayvion Wicks
Matthew Golden
Savion Williams
Mecole Hardman
Christian Watson (PUP)
I struggled with the last two spots in this room because it's at least a possibility that Williams isn't healthy to start the season, and I'm not sure Hardman brings much value outside of being a returner. That being said, I'm holding out hope for Williams, and I don't think they brought in Hardman with major expectations for him as a wide receiver. I chose not to highlight Golden as a starter because the Packers are usually very conservative with their rookies, but I expect Golden to get on the field early and often.
Tight End (4)
Tucker Kraft
Luke Musgrave
John FitzPatrick
Ben Sims
No major surprises here. It's worth noting that John FitzPatrick has had a very strong preseason. If they only keep three tight ends, I think it will be FitzPatrick over Ben Sims. For all you fantasy footballers out there, if you miss out on Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, just wait until the 10th round and draft Tucker Kraft. I have him as a top-five tight end in fantasy this year.
Offensive Line (9)
Jordan Morgan
Aaron Banks
Elgton Jenkins
Sean Rhyan
Zach Tom
Rasheed Walker
Anthony Belton
Kadeem Telfort
Jacob Monk
John Williams (PUP)
Offensive line is always the toughest group to predict. It's obviously the biggest group and usually the most competitive when you get to the depth pieces, but not this year. This year, it's all about the starters. We have very active competitions at both left tackle and right guard. Matt Lafleur said on Sunday that the left tackle spot is "100% a competition." Can Jordan Morgan actually unseat Rasheed Walker as Jordan Love's blindside protector? If you asked me a month ago, I'd say I highly doubt it. Now? I'm thinking it's a yes. Morgan has looked that good in practice and preseason games. Meanwhile, Walker has been sidelined with a groin injury. If it were up to me, I'd give Morgan a shot at left tackle to begin the season. Worst-case scenario, you go back to Walker if Morgan struggles. I'm eager to see what the former 1st round pick will look like during regular-season action. If I'm wrong and Walker keeps the job, it will be interesting to see who starts at right guard between Morgan and Sean Rhyan. A lot to be decided over the next few weeks.
Defensive Line (6)
Kenny Clark
Devonte Wyatt
Karl Brooks
Colby Wooden
Nazir Stackhouse
Warren Brinson
The thing to watch with the defensive line group will be that final spot or two. Most years, I believe they only keep five linemen, but it could be hard to separate the rookie duo from Georgia, Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson. Stackhouse is an undrafted free agent who has been playing very well all summer, so I fully expect him to make the team. Brinson has been quieter, but he was a 6th-round pick in this year's draft, and it's rare to see the Packers cut a draft pick before they ever play for the team.
Edge Rushers (5)
Rashan Gary
Lukas Van Ness
Kingsley Enagbare
Brenton Cox Jr.
Arron Mosby
Barryn Sorrell (PUP)
Collin Oliver (Short-term IR)
This is so disappointing. Sorrell and Oliver were two of my favorite picks in this year's draft, and now we may not see them until at least a few weeks into their rookie seasons. Oliver is still rehabbing an injury he sustained in college, so we haven't seen him at all this preseason, while Sorrell is dealing with the knee injury I mentioned earlier. If I'm wrong about Sorrell needing to start on the PUP list (I hope), I fully expect him to be a part of the edge rotation. I can't imagine Oliver will play early this year based on where he's at right now. Van Ness is obviously the big name to watch here. By all accounts, he's had a phenomenal camp thus far. Now we need to see him do that during an actual game. If we don't see it this year, I fear it may never happen for him. Last thing, can we see Rashan Gary's first career 10 sack season?
Linebacker (5)
Edgerrin Cooper
Quay Walker
Isaiah McDuffie
Ty'Ron Hopper
Kristian Welch
May have my toughest decision of the day in this group. Isaiah Simmons or Kristian Welch? My heart says Simmons, but my brain (and eyes) say Welch. You have more upside with Simmons, who is a freak athlete and should be a great player, but he just simply isn't. Through two preseason games, Simmons has a 27.6 rating from PFF. That is the second lowest amongst 203 linebackers. He has allowed 10 receptions on 12 targets for 128 yards and a touchdown. It's been as bad on tape as it sounds on paper. Welch isn't as exciting, but he has played significantly better. He has seven tackles on defense and another four on special teams, which is tied for the most in the NFL. Welch has always been a special teams ace, and that's why I gave him the slight edge over Simmons. I can't talk about the linebackers and not mention Edgerrin Cooper. Expect to see him blitzing a lot for an inside linebacker, and the same goes for Quay Walker.
Safety (4)
Xavier McKinney
Evan Williams
Javon Bullard
Kitan Oladapo
Normally, I'd predict five safeties to make the roster, but with Zayne Anderson going down last week and Omar Brown getting hurt this week, I think they'll start the season with only four safeties. I'm curious to see where Javon Bullard spends most of his time. The expectation is that it will be McKinney and Williams as the starting safety duo, and there are already two experienced slot corners on the team in Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs. Whether it's at safety or in the slot, the coaching staff needs to find a way to get him on the field. He's too talented to ride the bench.
Cornerback (5)
Nate Hobbs
Keisean Nixon
Carrington Valentine
Bo Melton
Corey Ballentine
This is going to be the most interesting position to watch for the Packers early on in the season. Valentine is the only true outside cornerback of the bunch, and he's a former 7th-round pick. Hobbs and Nixon are traditionally slot corners, at least one of them will have to play on the outside. I think it'll be Nixon. Then you have wide receiver turned cornerback Bo Melton, who astonishingly seems to be on track to make the team. You almost never see a player switch positions this deep into their career and have it pay off, but I think we're seeing it with Melton. He looks very comfortable at corner. The final spot will be a good battle between Ballentine, Kalen King, and 2025 7th-round pick Micah Robinson. Ballentine was just signed after his release from the Colts, and I know the coaching staff likes him, so I'll give him the edge for now. I could still easily see either one of King or Robinson end up snagging that final spot, though.
Special Teams (3)
Brandon McManus
Daniel Whelan
Matt Orzech
Brandon McManus is awesome. So is Daniel Whelan. Matt Orzech is a long snapper.