Acme Packing Company
Pencils down. After sifting through training camp write-ups, watching preseason games and even charting participation in the Green Bay Packers’ Family Night practice, here’s my final prediction for what the Packers’ 53-man roster will look like on Tuesday. With changes to the injured reserve rules this year, situations across the league will be a little bit more fluid on Wednesday, which is why I’m also predicting a roster move to be made by Green Bay the day after cutdowns.
Follow along with the analysis, and feel free to yell at me in the comment section for cutting your preseason favorite.
Quarterback (2)
No brainer here.
Running Back (3)
This was a position of real debate until MarShawn Lloyd went down with a hamstring injury. Based on the consensus of 53-man roster projections out there right now, most people seem to think that he’s going to land on the injured reserve with a designated to return status. Before cutdowns, the Packers can place up to two players on the injured reserve who won’t be subjected to league-wide waivers but can return to the 53-man roster later on in the year. Every other player placed on the injured reserve will be out for the full 2025 season, like tackle Travis Glover.
Receiver (6)
As of right now, not only do I think that Malik Heath is higher on the depth chart at receiver than Mecole Hardman, but I think there’s a good chance he sees more reps than Savion Williams early on in the season. Some of that is the fact that Williams has been missing practice and games, while another factor is that Heath seems to have a clear role on special teams. I just don’t think Hardman did enough as a returner this preseason to justify a roster spot, especially if Matt LaFleur wants to use Heath more on offense than Hardman, who was used as a slot-only player.
Tight End (4)
This is probably an unpopular pick, but I have Ben Sims making this team as the fourth tight end. I doubt he will get on the field much beyond field goal protection, punt protection and kickoff return, but the Packers have increased his special teams snaps down the stretch of the preseason and need more bodies on the return team in general. Those bodies are going to have to come from somewhere, and as long as Luke Musgrave is a backup tight end who doesn’t contribute to the kicking game, the chance of keeping a fourth tight end is always going to be on the table. With touchbacks on kickoffs now coming out to the 35-yard line, it’s not a good time to have a...
