Ridiculously Early 53 Man Roster

[Brandon494]

Hubbard is a guy I have been wondering about. I have not seen or heard a word about him since he was signed to the PS last year. He stayed there the entire year while others came and went quite regularly, so clearly the team stayed positive on his potential. It sure would be nice if he was the surprise of camp this year.

You have a lot of DBs on your list. With Matthews' injury history, Pepper's age and the situation with Neall and Perry both being in the final years of their contracts and therefore free agents next year, I think they will keep more than just Hubbard behind them. At least one (maybe two) of Mulumba, Elliott and a surprise rookie free agent will make it, and one or two less DBs from your list.

I keep bouncing back and forth on Kuhn and Ripkowski. I wouldn't be surprised if they keep both, nor will I be surprised if Kuhn is let go. On the other hand, with so few teams using the limited FB types that the Packers still do, Ripkowski could probably stay safely on the PS for a year. If another team wants a FB, there will be good veterans and/or rookies more highly rated than Ripkowski available to them. Assuming he shows value in TC, Ripkowski might be a guy they can work with by paying him more on the PS and/or making a counteroffer if another team comes calling. He has to see GB as a golden opportunity, a contender who still uses a blocking FB extensively, with only a veteran on his last legs in front of him.

Opps I listed Micah Hyde twice on that list of DBs...6 CBs and 4 safeties same number we had last season.

Blake likely won't make it but I like his game and will be rooting for him.

[Brandon494]

Hmm. interesting that no one has Thornton on the 53. I know he didn't look good last year - in fact, I think everyone questioned what TT saw in him to warrant a 3rd round pick. However, remember, Josh Boyd looked like crap too his first year.

It'll be interesting to see how Thornton does this year.

Its believe him, Ringo, and Pennell for that last spot on the D-line.

[3irty1]

Here's my guess:

QB Aaron Rodgers
QB Scott Tolzien
QB Brett Hundley

RB Eddie Lacy
RB James Starks
RB Rajion Neal

FB John Kuhn
FB Aaron Ripkowski

WR Jordy Nelson
WR Randall Cobb
WR Davante Adams
WR Ty Montgomery
WR Jeff Janis
WR Jared Abbrederis

TE Richard Rodgers
TE Andrew Quarless
TE Justin Perillo

OT David Bakhtiari
OG Josh Sitton
OC Corey Linsley
OG T.J. Lang
OT Bryan Bulaga
OT Don Barclay
OC J.C. Tretter
OG Lane Taylor

DL Mike Daniels
DL B.J. Raji
DL Datone Jones
DL Josh Boyd
DL Letroy Guion
DL Mike Pennel
DL Khyri Thornton

OLB Clay Matthews
OLB Julius Peppers
OLB Nick Perry
OLB Mike Neal
OLB Jayrone Elliott
OLB James Vaughters

ILB Sam Barrington
ILB Jake Ryan
ILB Carl Bradford

S Hasean Clinton-Dix
S Morgan Burnett
S Micah Hyde
S Sean Richardson

CB Sam Shields
CB Casey Hayward
CB Damarious Randall
CB Quentin Rollins
CB Demetri Goodson

K Mason Crosby
P Tim Masthay
LS Brett Goode

Ted has shown this offseason was about special teams. Both FB make this roster for that reason, as does Perillo and Abbredaris.

I think Thornton finds a way to beat Ringo and Ringo stays on the practice squad to keep a fire under his ass all year.

I think Vaughters wins the final LB spot over Joe Thomas, Mulumba, Palmer, Hubbard, and Danzier for his ability to play inside or outside and his performance on special teams.

With the weak draft class I think pretty much any of these late round picks are safe on the PS.

[Guiness]

Lotta love for J. Elliott

[smuggler]

Coaching staff loves him, too. And unlike some T.C. darlings, he did actually play and produce in the regular season a bit.

[pbmax]

I have to find a struggling high draft pick to back. Going to bat for Elliot or Pennel is too easy. If they drop out, you can always say it was a long shot.

I might have to back Nick Perry even more this year. Its going to be a challenge.

[3irty1]

I have to find a struggling high draft pick to back. Going to bat for Elliot or Pennel is too easy. If they drop out, you can always say it was a long shot.

I might have to back Nick Perry even more this year. Its going to be a challenge.

Datone Jones? I think if you want it bad enough he can break out this year. The man quietly had some jaw dropping plays last year. Look at this one 2nd Q of our first Lions game: https://vine.co/v/O7vxIi3FjIJ

That's Larry Warford our boy has on skates. Collapses him into the center and takes them both out. Incredible play.

[pbmax]

Datone Jones? I think if you want it bad enough he can break out this year. The man quietly had some jaw dropping plays last year. Look at this one 2nd Q of our first Lions game: https://vine.co/v/O7vxIi3FjIJ

That's Larry Warford our boy has on skates. Collapses him into the center and takes them both out. Incredible play.

There we go. Its official.

Perry and Jones get midseason contract extensions this year.

EDIT: Perry, midseason. Jones gets his option picked up in the offseason.

[Patler]

There we go. Its official.

Perry and Jones get midseason contract extensions this year.

EDIT: Perry, midseason. Jones gets his option picked up in the offseason.

Both have had their moments showing above average ability, yet each has been invisible for long periods. I don't care that they aren't All-Pro, I just want them to show up consistently.

[Fritz]

There we go. Its official.

Perry and Jones get midseason contract extensions this year.

EDIT: Perry, midseason. Jones gets his option picked up in the offseason.

I am adopting both of these guys as my especial hoped-for successes this year. I'd like to see Jones develop into a very real, consistent, pass rush threat (and not a rag doll in the run game), and Perry to be even stauncher against the run and develop a second pass rush move so he can collect a few sacks. If he can occasionally provide decent coverage against a TE that would be cool, too.

[run pMc]

I don't think Perry will ever provide coverage, but he can set the edge aginst the run and bull rush. I think after this year he plays DE for a 4-3 team elsewhere.
Would love to see Jones make a jump to 'consistent'.
Which would you rather keep - Perry or Jones?

[mraynrand]

Datone Jones? I think if you want it bad enough he can break out this year. The man quietly had some jaw dropping plays last year. Look at this one 2nd Q of our first Lions game: https://vine.co/v/O7vxIi3FjIJ

That's Larry Warford our boy has on skates. Collapses him into the center and takes them both out. Incredible play.

The pass was completed. He didn't disengage soon enough!

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think Perry will ever provide coverage, but he can set the edge aginst the run and bull rush. I think after this year he plays DE for a 4-3 team elsewhere.
Would love to see Jones make a jump to 'consistent'.
Which would you rather keep - Perry or Jones?

I'd take Perry.

[smuggler]

My money is on Jones. Tape those ankles, dude!

[vince]

I think Vaughters wins the final LB spot over Joe Thomas, Mulumba, Palmer, Hubbard, and Danzier for his ability to play inside or outside and his performance on special teams.

I'd like to read what you see in this guy 3irty1 (and others). Vaughters looks like an overachiever to me. The anti-Hubbard. Strong and good football instincts but stiff.

It'll be interesting to see how his game translates in the NFL. Could be a good special teamer but I don't think his upside is very high.

He can bust a wedge on kickoff coverage (yeah I know they've been more or less outlawed but they still have two-man leads) but I'm not sure he's quick enough to play inside regularly and I don't see him getting to the QB enough from the outside. Not long enough to be slow and stiff.

I think Bulaga will eat him for breakfast in camp.

[Smidgeon]

Offense (24):

Quarterbacks (3):
Aaron Rodgers
Scott Tolzien
Brett Hundley

Running backs (3):
Eddie Lacy
James Starks
John Crockett

Fullbacks (2):
John Kuhn
Aaron Ripkowski

Wide receivers (6):
Jordy Nelson
Randall Cobb
Davante Adams
Jeff Janis
Ty Montgomery
Adrian Coxson

Tight ends (3):
Andrew Quarless
Richard Rodgers
Kennard Backman

Tackles (2):
David Bakhtiari
Bryan Bulaga

Guards (3):
Josh Sitton
TJ Lang
Matt Rotheram

Centers (2):
Corey Linsley
JC Tretter

Defense (26):

Defensive linemen (7):
Mike Daniels
Letroy Guion
Datone Jones
BJ Raji
Josh Boyd
Mike Pennel
Khyri Thornton

Inside linebackers (4):
Sam Barrington
Carl Bradford
Jake Ryan
Tavarus Dantzler

Outside linebackers (5):
Matthews
Peppers
Nick Perry
Mike Neal
Jayrone Elliott

Cornerbacks (6):
Sam Shields
Casey Hayward
Micah Hyde
Demetri Goodson
Damarious Randall
Quinten Rollins

Safeties (4):
Morgan Burnett
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Sean Richardson
Chris Banjo

Specialists (3):
Mason Crosby
Tim Masthay
Brett Goode

-----

Not a depth chart, but an early stab nonetheless. Gone are Abby, Barclay, and Mulumba.

I have four UDFAs making the roster: RB Crockett, WR Coxson, G Rotheram, and ILB Dantzler. Except for ILB, there seems to be more opportunity for fresh faces on offense than defense, which I found surprising.

At this point, I have all but one draft picks making the roster, including a second FB and a third TE (actually one of the most difficult guesses choosing Backman over Perillo). I have Ringo not making the roster, but he could also be swapped for Thornton who I'm guessing makes enough of a leap in year two just like Bradford at ILB.

I am heavy on Dline and light on OLB, but to be fair, there's always a curveball.

On offense, there are 7 new faces, one each of QB, RB, FB, TE, and G, and two WRs.
On defense, there are 4 new faces, two each of ILB and CB.

Like I said, there seemed to be more opportunity on offense, but the two weakest positions--ILB and CB (along with WR)--got the most new faces. And you could argue that the WRs added actually fit two positions: KR and WR at one each. But it all depends on how they're used.

[3irty1]

I'd like to read what you see in this guy 3irty1 (and others). Vaughters looks like an overachiever to me. The anti-Hubbard. Strong and good football instincts but stiff.

It'll be interesting to see how his game translates in the NFL. Could be a good special teamer but I don't think his upside is very high.

He can bust a wedge on kickoff coverage (yeah I know they've been more or less outlawed but they still have two-man leads) but I'm not sure he's quick enough to play inside regularly and I don't see him getting to the QB enough from the outside. Not long enough to be slow and stiff.

I think Bulaga will eat him for breakfast in camp.

I don't think he's got much upside but considering he was the #4 linebacker recruit in the country at one point I wouldn't call him an overachiever. Its more about if his game will translate or not. If it doesn't he'll fail fast which is a plus. The versatility is the big thing with him.

As an OLB he reminds me a little of Erik Walden. Not quite as long or as uber physical as Walden but not as stupid either. Same strengths though in that he can set an edge really well and he's abnormally stout for his size. As a pass rusher he's more like Mike Neal than anyone else we've got. Brute strong and high motor. Not the kind of skillset you'd bet on to become a star, Tamba Hali's are super rare, but if he could be the next Mike Neal that's a hell of a deal for a UDFA.

As an ILB I think he has the most upside specifically as a "buck" linebacker in a Capers 30 front. A FB of the defense type. His 7.09 3-cone suggests some upside in coverage. If he can develop there, he's a great find. It's rare to find a guy who can mix with lineman and also drop back into a hook zone with regularity.

That stuff is pie in the sky. I think he'll make the team because while starting 30+ games for Stanford he was also on kick and punt coverage. Physical 250 lb guys with hot motors and special teams experience are tough cuts.

[pbmax]

Looking at Smidge's roster, it might be possible that Tretter is the backup OT on each side after camp. But he will need to really step up his game. Barclay has the injury to overcome, so its no lock, but right now I would bet on DB being on the roster when camp ends.

[Smidgeon]

Looking at Smidge's roster, it might be possible that Tretter is the backup OT on each side after camp. But he will need to really step up his game. Barclay has the injury to overcome, so its no lock, but right now I would bet on DB being on the roster when camp ends.

Subconsciously, I was thinking musical chairs if a tackle goes down. TJ Lang. Backup tackle.

[pbmax]

Subconsciously, I was thinking musical chairs if a tackle goes down. TJ Lang. Backup tackle.

Yeah its a hard call. Barclay was light years better than anyone had a right to hope in his rookie year. But he still was a hole in the pass protection (nice run blocker though). Injury just makes it harder to say. And Tretter hasn't proven ready either. Didn't Lang play his way out of Tackle in 2013, which is what brought Barclay in, or am i thinking of another year?