Carriveau: Green Bay Packers Final Roster Prediction

The Packers must be down to at least 53 players by 8 p.m. Central time. Brian Carriveau predicts what the Packers roster will look like.

There's a lot of factors that make a 53-man roster prediction an exercise in futility. One is injuries. For example, it's anyone's guess whether the Packers will choose to place Derek Sherrod on the reserve PUP list or try to get through the first couple weeks of the season on the 53-man roster. The injury situation at inside linebacker has also made for some difficult choices.

There's also the possibility that the Packers could choose to pick up players released by other teams off waivers, in which case they'd have to make room for them. Then there's the suspension to outside linebacker Erik Walden. It's possible the Packers will simply keep 52 players on their roster in Week 1 simply so they don't have to cut someone when Walden is eligible to return in Week 2.

Finally, the trade winds are blowing around wide receiver James Jones, in which case, that could alter who the Packers keep at wide receiver.

With all those things in mind, here's my final and official roster prediction for the Packers...

Quarterbacks (2)

Aaron Rodgers, Graham Harrell

Running Backs (5)

Cedric Benson, Alex Green, John Kuhn, Brandon Saine, James Starks

Wide Receivers (6)

Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Tori Gurley

Tight Ends (4)

Jermichael Finley, D.J. Williams, Tom Crabtree, Ryan Taylor

Offensive Line (8)

Marshall Newhouse, T.J. Lang, Jeff Saturday, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Reggie Wells, Don Barclay

Defensive Line (6)

B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, C.J. Wilson, Daniel Muir, Jerel Worthy, Mike Daniels

Outside Linebacker (5)

Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Dezman Moses, Brad Jones, Erik Walden*

Inside Linebacker (4)

A.J. Hawk, D.J. Smith, Rob Francois, Jamari Lattimore

Cornerback (5)

Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush, Casey Hayward, Davon House

Safety (5)

Charles Woodson, Morgan Burnett, Jerron McMillian, Sean Richardson, M.D. Jennings

Specialists (3)

Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode

Notes

*Last five in: M.D. Jennings, James Starks, Brad Jones, Tori Gurley, Brandon Saine

*First five out: Diondre Borel, Jarrett Boykin, Andrew Datko, Terrell Manning, Anthony Levine

*Practice squad prediction: B.J. Coleman, Andrew Datko, Terrell Manning, Diondre Borel, Jarrett Boykin, Brandian Ross, Greg Van Roten, Lawrence Guy. Obviously, if any of these players are placed on injured reserve or claimed off waivers by another NFL team, they won't be on the Packers' practice squad. A couple more candidates include Vic So'oto and Tommie Draheim.

*Tackle Derek Sherrod is predicted to be on the reserve/PUP list, joining tight end Andrew Quarless and outside linebacker Frank Zombo.

*Mike Neal will begin the season suspended for the first four games and won't count against the roster during that time.

*The Packers essentially cut down to below 53 players because Erik Walden is suspended for Week 1. I can't see the Packers keeping 53 players only to cut someone a week later. Unless... they use Walden's open spot to pick up a waiver wire player.

*If the Packers happen to trade James Jones, that could open some room to either Jarrett Boykin or Diondre Borel.

*Andrew Datko will either be placed on injured reserve or signed to the practice squad. Either way, he wouldn't be part of the 53-man roster.

*What the Packers do with James Starks is a tough call. Maybe he's a candidate for the new injured reserve rule. Maybe he's placed on injured reserve, missing the entire season. Maybe he's kept on the 53-man roster. Maybe the Packers decide they can't rely on him and cut him outright.

*I do not foresee the Packers using the new injured reserve distinction on Desmond Bishop, but James Starks and Davon House could be an option. Or they could choose to wait and see in case another player gets injured in the first few weeks of the season.

 

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Comments (33)

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:33 am

Interesting. I like how pretty much everyone is agreeing that they'll keep 6 WRs now.

Is it just me or could the Packers live without Kuhn?

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Bohj's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:50 am

Kuhn would be the only real fullback we have. Odd to think that we kept 3 fullbacks two years ago and ran wishbone formations. Think two backs in the backfield on goal line runs. Benson, Kuhn. Also, you get rid of Kuhn and there goes your best packer chant.

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:56 am

Yeah, I get that he's the only fullback, but with their move to more of a single-back system, I feel he's not totally necessary. I'm just not sure he brings that much to the table. But I would miss the chant.

Just a thought.

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JohnRehor's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:01 am

Kuhn is not getting cut. No way.

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:02 am

I'm not saying he is or should be. Just asking a question.

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Beep's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:52 am

No question that I'd keep Kuhn over Starks or a 6th receiver.

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Rick's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:28 am

I think they'll keep 6 WRs but Jarrett Boykin will be the #6.
It's being reported that Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel have been released or traded this morning.

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I bleed green more's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:39 am

Yup there gone and Levine and so many others.

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greentiger74's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:53 am

Since Bishop is already on IR, they can't use the new rule on him right? Or did I misunderstand the new rule?

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Brian Carriveau's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:07 am

They can, but they have to make that distinction by today if they do.

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Beep's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:55 am

I'm questioning 4 TE's, especially with Quarless on PUP, what value does Taylor bring? We need more help on defense, perhaps keeping Manning to suppliment the LB corps?

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Brian Carriveau's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:11 am

Terrell Manning is not going to help the defense be better this season. Taylor at least helps the special teams.

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greenbowl's picture

August 31, 2012 at 09:57 am

excited for the season! kuhn wears too many different hats on this team to get cut...special teams, 3rd down back and prankster...i hope they keep 6 wideouts ....

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GBinSTL's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:02 am

Brian, why do you say that you think Bishop is not a candidate for the new IR distinction? Do you think his injury will take the whole season to recover from?

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GBinSTL's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:06 am

nevermind, saw what you said about the subject on the other cutdown article comments.

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CSS's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:08 am

Thompson and McCarthy (especially Thompson) sounded pretty resolute saying they were shutting him down for the season. They left me with the impression that, even if the new IR rule were available, Bishop would be done.

Candidate, technically yes. Do they believe he can heal, rehab and get into football shape in time to contribute without putting himself at risk for additional injury? Felt like a definitive no to me.

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Jamie's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:08 am

Brian - Couldn't we use the 53rd spot, with the exemption for Walden, to carry Bishop one week...then use special IR?

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Brian Carriveau's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:10 am

Yes, that could happen. Although I don't think it will.

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Mojo's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:09 am

A couple questions about the new injured reserve rules. I'm assuming House for example is eligible, even though he wasn't already on the IR. And could a team IR in-season(lets say week 2) and bring him back later?

Biggest question mark is the backup o-lineman. Not thrilled that EDS is the best of the group, but I guess he owned Suh last year. Pretty good PS you have.

It'll be interesting to see what they do when Neal returns in week 5. Assuming there are no injuries, do you keep 7 d-lineman (which I want). If so, who gets the axe. I guess the guys on the cut-line have four weeks to prove themselves.

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Brian Carriveau's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:13 am

Yes, a team can choose to use the IR rule at any time. They don't have to do it today.

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FourEyesBrewing's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:09 am

I would be tickled if Manning made it through waivers and onto the PS. Is that really a possibility?

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Brian Carriveau's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:12 am

Unless a 4-3 team out there thinks he's a much better fit for that defense and claims him on waivers.

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Chad Toporski's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:21 am

The thing to keep in mind is that these guys would have to get picked up AND placed on that team's 53-man roster. So they'd have to think him good enough for a roster spot despite not knowing their system and not practicing at all with their group.

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:14 am

I wouldn't be too surprised. He didn't seem to show much through the pre-season.

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:15 am

Gurley is out, per twitter.

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PackerAaron's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:17 am

Per our own Zach Kruse! :)

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Evan's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:21 am

Nice get, Zach!

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FourEyesBrewing's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:15 am

Also I think Boykin gets the nod over Gurley. The staff keep saying how they prize consistency this year. Boykin has been the most consistent AND productive of the bubble WRs. What more do you really want?

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Chad Toporski's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:19 am

Interesting that your prediction is the same as mine, Brian, with the only change being I kept Sherrod in and only 5 WR.

I could be totally wrong about Barclay, but I think he's definitely worth keeping around on the roster.

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CSS's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:25 am

Barclay is worth developing, but I don't think another team would open up a spot on their 53 to do so. He's the type of prospect you could develop on the practice squad and promote him to the 53 if anything catastrophic happened. I agree he's worthwhile, just a different retention strategy.

I would roll with a veteran if one is available after waivers.

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Brian Carriveau's picture

August 31, 2012 at 10:42 am

Great minds think alike :)

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CSS's picture

August 31, 2012 at 11:41 am

Barclay is in, good for him.

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Eric's picture

August 31, 2012 at 05:35 pm

I cant belive cuting Boykens?

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