Sharing updated thoughts since my post in mid-May. No Pre-Season games of course, but based on what I’ve read from the practices to date here goes. Note that in addition to keeping 53, teams will be allowed 16 on the Practice Squad. As always, welcome your thoughts.
OFFENSE (27)
QB (3): Rodgers (36), Boyle, Love (D1)
Comments: Reports are Rodgers looking superb, hope he shows the world this year he’s still elite. In May I said this about Boyle: “I really like Boyle, and look forward to seeing what he looks like this pre-season with another year of development under his belt. He has nice size, an excellent arm, looks composed, stands in the pocket unfazed and to me exhibits that elusive ‘it’ factor so critical for the position. Of course, everyone’s forgotten about him in the wake of drafting Love.” Well, most writers have said he’s actually been the best QB in camp overall. Love it. Speaking of Love, he’s been as expected: a raw talent needing lots more coaching and development.
RB (6): HB: A. Jones, Dillon (D2), J. Williams, D. Williams, Ervin FB: Deguara (D3)
Cut: HB: Taylor (Injured Reserve/IR), Crockett FB: Lovett (Practice Squad/PS)
Comments: A bit of a surprise but keeping 5 HBs. Multiple reasons: (1) Dexter Williams looking good; (2) Both Aaron Jones and Jamal Williams Free Agents next year; (3) Ervin not only the primary return guy, but Packers playing him at slot receiver as well. Dillon’s legs have been all the rage, but I’m most pleased with how well he’s caught the ball. He just needs to show improvement in pass blocking in order to get on the field a lot this year. Short yardage should be a no-brainer. Lovett sounds like a Deguara look-alike, would be good to keep him as a backup on the Practice Squad.
TE (3): Sternberger, Tonyan, Lewis (36)
Cut: Baylis (PS)
Comments: Most expect Sternberger to start, but Tonyan appears to be fully recovered from his injury and may play just as much after a strong camp. Still an intriguing prospect.
WR (5): Adams, Lazard, Valdes-Scantling, St. Brown, Kumerow
Cut: Begelton (FA, PS), M. Taylor (PS), Shepherd (PS), M. Turner
Opt-Out: Funchess (FA)
Comments: Have Packers going with just 5 WRs if they do as expected and play Ervin in the slot. With Funchess opting out, Lazard appears to be the starter opposite Adams. Valdes-Scantling, like Tonyan above, appears fully recovered from his multiple, nagging injuries from last year and has had a very strong camp. He should play a lot as the #3. St. Brown back after missing all last year, but has been just ok from what I’ve read. Kumerow knows the offense, Rodgers loves him, but he just hasn’t produced. I don’t see Malik Turner, picked up from Seattle, making it. Begelton’s struggled with the transition from the CFL to the NFL, so guessing they put him on the PS versus the 53, acts as backup to Ervin for that slot position.
OL (10): OT: Bakhtiari, Wagner (FA, 30), Turner, Light G: Jenkins, Taylor (30), Patrick, Runyan (D6A) C: Linsley, Hanson (D6B)
Cut: OT: Nijman (PS), Conway (PS), Leglue G: Stepaniak (D6C, IR), Johnson (CFA)
Comments: Go heavy here with 10. Biggest surprise is Taylor looks like he’ll be the starter at RG. Anyone’s guess at this point if Wagner or Turner will be the RT. Whoever loses that battle becomes the primary backup OT. I really don’t like keeping Light. Would strongly prefer Packers bring back Veldheer. Still hopes that’s what happens. Patrick appears a given as primary backup at both G and C. Runyan not ready but too good to put on PS and take chance on losing. Same with Hanson, especially with Linsley a FA next year. Had high hopes for Nijman to replace Light, but he’s been injured all camp, just started practicing a few days ago.
DEFENSE (23)
DL (5): Clark, Keke, Lowry, Lancaster, Adams
Cut: Hester (FA), Previlon (CFA, PS)
Comments: Glad to hear Keke has apparently made that 2nd year jump, and even though just a 5th round pick last year, appears poised to be a quality starter. Hopefully Lowry can be same. But haven’t read a word about Lancaster, Adams is once again injured (toe), and Hester’s been banged up. This position group to me, by far, cries out for reinforcements. I’ve been hoping for months Gutekunst would bring in Damon Harrison. Marcel Dareus also out there. I will be shocked if he doesn’t add that kind of quality veteran between now and the opener – meaning, ok if he does after all teams’ final cuts next week.
LB (8): OLB: Z. Smith, P. Smith, Gary, Garvin (D7B) ILB: Kirksey (FA), Martin (D5), Burks, Summers
Cut: OLB: T. Williams (PS), Ramsey (PS), Galeai (CFA, PS), Scott (CFA, PS), Roberts (IR) ILB: Bolton (IR), Barnes (CFA, PS)
Comments: Psyched about Gary. The guy is bigger, is in incredible shape, and appears to now understand his position after transitioning last year from DE in college to OLB in the NFL. Can’t wait to see him rush the passer with both Smiths at the same time. I expect Gary will also help our run defense. Garvin a pleasant surprise for a 7th round pick. Guessing he wins that 4th OLB spot over Tim Williams. I still think Kirksey will prove to be an upgrade over Martinez. The surprise at ILB would be to see Martin, our 5th round pick, start alongside Kirksey over a finally fully healthy Oren Burks. But looking like that’s the case. Thought Summers would make more of a run to start, but haven’t heard him mentioned much. Galeai appears to have natural pass rush ability, but needs to add to his 6-5, 225 pound frame, so they keep him on the PS.
DB (10): CB: Alexander, King, Sullivan, Jackson, Hollman, Samuels (CFA), S: Savage, A. Amos, Greene, Redmond
Cut: CB: Ento (IR), D. Amos (PS), Sunderland (CFA, PS) S: Scott (D7A, PS), Black (CFA)
Comments: Sounds like they’re very happy with Sullivan’s development as the slot CB, so not resigning Tramon Williams. Nice to read that Jackson playing well. Maybe Jerry Gray can get him to play like the 2nd round pick we hoped for and not be a bust. Hollman’s been quieter than I though he’d be. Samuels on the other hand hasn’t, so I think he makes the 53 as a College Free Agent. Greene looked great early on, but again nicked up, which is a concern. Like his 7th round peer (OLB Garvin), Scott has played really well at S. 6-2 and fast. Would like to keep him on the 53, but don’t see room for at this time.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
(3): PK Crosby (35), P Scott, LS Bradley
Comments: Scott again looking great in summer. Question remains whether he can punt just as well when winter comes around.
