By Lucy Rendler-Kaplan // @LUCYrk78
After the conclusion of the fourth and final preseason game, the Green Bay Packers are ready to kickoff the official season one week from Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Our favorite team finished with a 3-1 record over the four games, and look healthy and ready to begin striving towards the Super Bowl. At the start of training camp, the Packers had 30 rookies. Today, the roster of 87 players will be cut down to the final 53.
So who will make the team? Here are my predictions. This isn’t a full 53-man roster, because there are still a few trades I’d like to see made prior to the announcement of the final team.
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
Rodgers, we all agree, is the best quarterback currently in the NFL, right? He needs a backup though, and with Hundley being seen for a lot of the final preseason game, it looks like he’s got the backup spot.
99 passing yards
1 passing TD
1 rushing TD@BrettHundley17‘s highlights from #LARvsGB: https://t.co/ls9Vc0msMP#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/SKCUnCpvul
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 1, 2017
: Running back: Ty Montgomery, Aaron Ripkowski, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones, Devante Mays
While the new draft picks are definitely good enough for the team, I’m not sure we need to keep all five. If we WERE to cut any, I’d be confident in keeping Montgomery, Ripkowski, Jones and Mays.
Receiver: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, Trevor Davis, Jeff Janis, Max McCaffrey
I love all of these players. I think they’re all Super Bowl worthy.
Tight end: Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Richard Rodgers
I’m not sure anyone was as excited as I was when Bennett was signed to the Packers. I hated it when he left Chicago and am still over the moon excited to have him on my favorite team.
Offensive line: David Bakhtiari, Bryan Bulaga, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Jahri Evans, Don Barclay
I don’t have enough players on this list – the first five I’ve listed are some of the best in the league at protecting their quarterback, but preseason wasn’t too kind to our rookies. I’m still a bit surprised that T.J. Lang was allowed to walk during free agency and wish his name was here.
“This has been a heck of camp & a heck of a 90-man roster”
Coach McCarthy after Thursday’s win
: https://t.co/zKz1ryOiB4#LARvsGB pic.twitter.com/h0y65i2nHf
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 1, 2017
Defensive line: Mike Daniels, Ricky Jean-Francois, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Christian Ringo
Adams is out for a bit for surgery, and I liked what I saw from Ringo during the preseason.
Outside linebacker: Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Ahmad Brooks, Jayrone Elliott, Reggie Gilbert
I’ve gone back and forth writing down Kyler Fackrell’s name here. While I think he will still make the roster, based on being drafted in the third round, bringing in Brooks was a pretty solid sign that the Packers don’t seem to be all too sure of the impact he’ll be able to make for the team.
Inside linebacker: Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas
I wish I was writing Jordan Tripp’s name here.
Cornerback: Davon House, Kevin King, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter, Josh Hawkins
I’m looking forward to watching Rollins and Randall again this year.
Safety: Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Kentrell Brice, Josh Jones, Marwin Evans
Clinton-Dix is another of my favorite Packers. I think he’s a great guy both on and off the field.
Specialists: Mason Crosby, Justin Vogel, Brett Goode
Vogel did great in the game against the Rams! I think that night definitely secured his roster spot.
I’d love to hear if you agree, or what your predictions might be!
Follow and chat Packers with me // @LUCYrk78