2024 Packers 53-Man Roster Projection: Who Will Make the Cut?
With the final preseason game having been played last Saturday, players will soon discover if their efforts were enough to earn a roster spot. The anticipation is over, and the roster cuts signal the approaching season. The Packers rested 38 players against the Ravens, indicating which roster spots are already secured. The official 53-man roster will be announced and here are the names I believe will be on the list.
Quarterback (2): Jordan Love, Malik Willis
Wow, what a shocker, Jordan Love will make the roster. The real question was who will sit behind him, and the Packers front office has answered that today. With concerns about Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt’s readiness to step in if needed, the Packers have traded for Titans quarterback Malik Willis. In exchange for a seventh-round pick, the Packers receive a quarterback with a higher ceiling than both Clifford and Pratt. This preseason, the former third-round pick posted 20/27 completions, 205 passing yards, two touchdowns, an interception, 101 rushing yards, and 9.1 yards per carry. It seems the Packers are betting that Tom Clements can work his magic on Willis, a quarterback who was at one point projected as a first-round pick but has yet to find success in the NFL. This move puts Clifford out of a job, and Pratt a likely candidate for the practice squad.
Running back (3): Josh Jacobs, AJ Dillon, Marshawn Lloyd
With AJ Dillon and Marshawn Lloyd currently dealing with injuries, Emanuel Wilson has a good chance of making the roster thanks to his impressive summer performance. According to PFF, Wilson gained 132 yards after first contact, forced 10 missed tackles, and had four runs of at least 10 yards. He also demonstrated solid pass protection and caught three passes for 37 yards, including a 20-yarder. Dillon has been out for a week with a stinger, while Lloyd has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the first preseason game. Head coach LaFleur has only stated that their status is “TBD” regarding their availability for Week One, which opens the door for Wilson to potentially be the backup running back behind Josh Jacobs in Brazil.
There is a new injured reserve option that allows teams to designate two players on IR for potential return during the season if it occurs before the final cuts. This means there is a strong possibility Dillon or Lloyd could be placed on IR, creating an opportunity for Wilson to secure the roster spot he has worked hard for. His strong summer performance, highlighted by his speed and lateral agility, further boosts his chances. Additionally, placing Dillon or Lloyd on IR would provide them with more time to recover from their injuries, with the possibility of returning after Week Four.
Wide Receiver (6): Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, Grant DuBose
Packers have significant depth at wide receiver, which is a good problem to have. With so much talent at receiver—even without a *gasp* first-round pick—the team will need to make tough cuts. One likely cut could be fan favorite Malik Heath, who has shown potential both last season and this preseason. Despite leading the Packers in their win against the Ravens with four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown, Heath could be at risk due to DuBose’s impressive performance this summer as not only a pass catcher but as a blocker and special-teamer. Don’t be too disappointed if Heath is released, as he is another strong candidate for the practice squad.
Tight End (4): Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Tyler Davis, Ben Sims
All four tight ends are expected to make the roster. Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft are assured spots, having demonstrated their playmaking abilities last season with a combined 65 catches for 707 yards. Tyler Davis is a key special teams player, highly regarded by special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia has spoken highly of him as “someone that you could count on in every critical situation, count on to play multiple positions.” Last season, Ben Sims was a dependable blocker, and this summer he has shown off his athleticism with notable improvements in his pass-catching skills.
Offensive Line (9): Rasheed Walker, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Andre Dillard, Jacob Monk, Travis Glover
The starting offensive line is reliable, but the depth, particularly at tackle, is somewhat concerning. According to Pro Football Focus, Dillard did not allow pressure in 29 pass-blocking snaps against the Browns and Broncos. While Royce Newman has experience, he still has not developed, making his potential departure not too surprising. It wouldn’t be unexpected if the Packers look to bolster their depth with a veteran addition.
Defensive Tackle (5): Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden
These five are locks for the roster and coaches and fans alike should feel confident with this group. They will benefit significantly from the switch to a 4-3 defense, which emphasizes the role of defensive tackles. Former seventh-round pick Jonathan Ford had a good preseason but exited the final game on a cart with a calf injury. The Packers hope he won’t get snatched up by other teams off the waiver wire, allowing him to join their practice squad.
Defensive End (5): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox Jr.
If you were seated watching Saturday’s game against the Ravens, you likely saw Arron Mosby all over on defense, making huge plays. The third-year player made his name known with a strip sack that resulted in a touchdown and an interception on consecutive possessions. He also deflected a pass on fourth down in the opener and recorded a total of four pressures throughout the game. Despite Mosby’s strong performance, Cox Jr. is expected to secure a spot on the 53-man roster, completing the defensive end group. However, given Mosby’s monster performance, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he earned a roster spot.
Linebacker (5): Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson, Ty’Ron Hopper
Although it is no surprise, Walker, Cooper, McDuffie, and Wilson all sat out in the final preseason game, confirming their spots on the final roster. Hopper is also a lock for the roster. The only linebacker with an uncertain future in Green Bay is Kristian Welch, who has proven his value with a standout preseason performance, including a fumble recovery, two interceptions, and 16 total tackles without a miss. Welch’s playmaking and contributions on special teams make him a difficult player to say goodbye to.
Cornerback (6): Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, Carrington Valentine, Keisean Nixon, Corey Ballentine, Kalen King
The Packers could cut seventh-rounder Kalen King. Just to make room for other players, but it is not guaranteed King and his potential would clear waivers. Given that Gutekunst usually stands by his draft picks, it would be surprising if he chose to part ways with King so soon. After waiting five seasons for Kevin King to develop, it seems reasonable to make some extra room on the roster for Kalen King.
Safety (5): Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Anthony Johnson Jr., Kitan Oladapo
The safety group is relatively straightforward. McKinney was the Packers’ major offseason offseason investment to address their pressing safety needs last season. Both rookies, Bullard and Williams, have exceeded expectations with their high-level performances throughout the summer. Anthony Johnson Jr. also displayed NFL readiness during the preseason, including returning a fumble for a touchdown against the Ravens. Despite missing some time with a toe injury, Gutekunst is unlikely to cut a fifth-round rookie like Oladapo.
Specialist (3): Anders Carlson, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech
Daniel Whelan and Matt Orzech face no competition for their spots. Although the three kickers also did fight for a roster spot, it was underwhelming and borderline soul-crushing, but Carlson will be the obligatory winner to make it through the initial roster. After Carlson missed a 32-yarder to end his preseason, the Packers are back to where they started, uncertain about his reliability. It seems like a strong possibility that the team will resume their kicker search on the waiver wire come Wednesday. When asked if the opening-day kicker is already on the roster, LaFleur said, “We’ve got a really good sample size, and we’ll see what happens around the league.” Wow, it’s good to know our coach is overflowing with confidence.
The initial 53-man roster will be released tomorrow by 4 p.m. ET. The Packers will begin their second season of the Jordan Love era in Brazil on Sept. 6th. The Packers will look to refine the roster that came within two games of the Super Bowl last year. Will this year’s lineup be able to bring home the Lombardi Trophy?
