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The training camp starts for the\u00a0Green Bay Packers\u00a0in two weeks. Before that, it’s hard to precisely project everything that will happen over the course of the next two months, until general manager Brian Gutekunst has to round out the 53-man roster and the 17-man practice squad. However, it’s already viable to make some analysis without definitive proclamations.<\/p>\n
To make this exercise of the 17-man roster practice squad, there are some reasonable premises. First, we used\u00a0our own 53-man roster projection\u00a0to see who will or won’t be available. Second, we are not considering scenarios where other teams claim Packers players off waivers, because that would take it too far. Also, the 17th practice squad spot is reserved to a member of the\u00a0International Pathway Program, and the Packers’ player with that designation is Australian kicker Alex Hale.<\/p>\n
Currently, the third-string quarterback is former fifth-round pick Sean Clifford, who spent his rookie year on the active roster and almost all of last season on the PS. However, the Packers did bring competition by signing\u00a0Canadian undrafted rookie Taylor Elgersma. The rookie has a higher ceiling and a stronger arm. Because the Packers have a comfortable backup situation with Malik Willis, it makes sense to keep a player with better tools to develop, and not necessarily a high-ceiling reserve. So, Elgersma is the option here.<\/p>\n
Bo Melton got in, but he also has a realistic chance of making the 53-man roster once again\u2014especially with his versatility to play special teams and\u00a0even defense as a cornerback. Cornelius Johnson had some flashes and probably jumped over Julian Hicks for another wide receiver spot.<\/p>\n
Among running backs, Chris Brooks is another solid candidate to make the team, but the competition is hard. He’s the perfect veteran type to have on the PS and elevate for gamedays whenever it’s needed. The other\u00a0running back would be Amar Johnson, an undrafted rookie with developmental potential. The tight end option is Ben Sims, who doesn’t bring the same value as John FitzPatrick on special teams, but is a viable backup offensive piece.<\/p>\n
The Packers have invested a lot in the offensive line throughout Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as a GM, and you can see the results on the team’s depth. Even if the Packers decide to keep 10 offensive linemen on the 53-man roster, which they have done in the past, there will be good options left.<\/p>\n
For this exercise, we decided to maintain three linemen on the practice squad, and all of them have developmental potential. Last year’s sixth-round pick Travis Glover failed to play at a good level at guard, but he’s a tackle.\u00a0Donovan Jennings may be a surprising name\u00a0on the active roster and had reps with the ones in the minicamp. Meanwhile, the third name is undrafted rookie guard Tyler Cooper.<\/p>\n
Nose tackle Nazir Stackhouse\u00a0is the undrafted player with the highest chance of making the roster, but it’s still a hard proposition. On the edge, Arron Mosby has significant experience and spent last year on the active roster, with real playing time down the stretch, after Preston Smith got traded. At linebacker, two players with two different profiles. Jamon Dumas-Johnson is a developmental rookie with a higher ceiling, while Kristian Welch is an established veteran with special teams acumen.<\/p>\n
The Packers don’t have big answers at cornerback on the top of the depth chart, but Gutekunst made sure to have bodies to compete for roster spots. This means someone won’t make it, and the practice squad will be there for them. Last year’s seventh-round pick\u00a0Kalen King\u00a0and this year’s seventh-round pick Micah Robinson are some of the options, considering they lose the battle to Kamal Hadden. Cornerback\/safety hybrid Johnathan Baldwin is also a great PS alternative due to his versatility, and the\u00a0Packers guaranteed him\u00a0$115k as an undrafted free agent.<\/p>\n
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