The Green Bay Packers are on the rise and have Super Bowl aspirations, but there are still holes in the 53-man roster.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has done an outstanding job of bringing in young talent to the organization. Last year, he selected several starters or immediate contributors, including Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Dontavyion Wicks, and Karl Brooks. Another strong draft class could help this club advance to the next level.
The Packers proved they were ahead of schedule. Their rebuild lasted eight weeks before they returned to the postseason picture.
Jordan Love and his young squad are just getting started. However, a few players on the roster now may struggle to make the final 53 at the end of the summer.
Which Packers players might miss out on a 53-man roster spot?
Royce Newman
Royce Newman went from starter to top backup because the Packers did not trust him in the starting lineup.
Last season, Newman only saw extensive action in two games, replacing an injured Elgton Jenkins against the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed seven hurries, nine pressures, and one sack in those two games, which cost him his job as the primary backup.
In Week 17, he entered the game late in a blowout victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Newman merely took one pass-blocking snap and promptly gave up a pressure.
In his last three career starts, Newman has allowed two sacks, 14 pressures, 10 hurries, and two quarterback hits. The Packers may wait until they have acquired more depth in the draft, but Newman’s release is imminent this summer.
Anders Carlson
The Packers are making moves to replace Anders Carlson. They added Jack Podlesny just days after their playoff loss before acquiring veteran Greg Joseph in free agency.
Green Bay’s interest in the free-agent kicker market was unsurprising given Carlson’s troubles in his debut season. He missed 13 kicks during the regular season and playoffs, including a league-worst six extra-point attempts.
Carlson only had a perfect record in eight games, including his first five. Following a great start, he only made 100 percent of his kicks in three of the next 14 games.
The Packers are giving Carlson serious competition, indicating that they are ready to move on.
Emmanuel Wilson
Second-year Emanuel Wilson is a candidate to make the roster as the Packers’ third running back, but that could change if they choose another running back.
Last season, Wilson had 14 carries for 85 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt. However, his average is distorted by a 31-yard rush. On his other 13 attempts, only three gained more than five yards and one gained more than ten.
Green Bay signed Josh Jacobs and brought back AJ Dillon, who Matt LaFleur intimated could be given more responsibilities this season.
“I think there’s some versatility that we can start to use with him moving forward, and trying to be more of a moveable piece, not just a tailback,” LaFleur said of Dillon.
If the Packers utilize a top-four round pick on a running back such as Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, or Blake Corum, Wilson may not be able to make the 53-man roster.
