With the preseason wrapped up, Brian Gutekunst now turns to shaping the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster. He has until Tuesday at 3 p.m. Central to make the final decisions. For some players, it will mean realizing their dream of playing in the NFL, while for others, it could mark the end of the road.

Let’s get right into predicting who the Packers will keep on their final roster. This version will look a bit different from my pre-OTAs projection for a few reasons, with the biggest change coming on defense.

Quarterbacks (3)

Jordan Love, Malik Willis, Taylor Elgersma

We all knew Jordan Love and Malik Willis were locks to make the roster. Taylor Elgersma had a strong preseason, and I have him edging out Sean Clifford for the QB3 job.

There’s still a good chance the Packers keep only two quarterbacks and place Elgersma on the practice squad, but I’m giving him a roster spot here.

Running backs (3)

Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, Chris Brooks / IR: MarShawn Lloyd

Lloyd suffered a hamstring injury in Green Bay’s preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. Matt LaFleur said he’ll be out for a while, and because of that, I have the Packers putting him on injured reserve and opening the season with Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, and Chris Brooks in the backfield.

Wide Receivers (6)

Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams, Malik Heath / PUP List: Christian Watson

The biggest question here is Savion Williams’ health. According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, Williams has been dealing with a hamstring injury, which kept him out of both of Green Bay’s joint practices against the Colts and last week’s preseason game.

He could realistically start the season on injured reserve, but I have him making the 53-man roster alongside Malik Heath, who edges out Mecole Hardman for the final spot.

Tight Ends (3)

Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick

We should see a lot of 12-personnel with Kraft and Musgrave this year. Meanwhile, John Fitzpatrick had a strong preseason and edges out Ben Sims for the third-string spot. Spoiler alert: Sims will likely be back on the roster at some point during the season.

O-Line (9)

Rasheed Walker, Jordan Morgan, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Anthony Belton, Jacob Monk, Darian Kinnard / PUP List: John Williams

Green Bay’s interior depth isn’t looking great. Jordan Morgan or Anthony Belton might see some snaps inside during the regular season, but as of now, the situation is far from ideal.

D-Line (10)

Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Nazir Stackhouse, Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr. / PUP List: Collin Oliver

Stackhouse makes the roster over Warren Brinson, who would head to the practice squad. Stackhouse was projected to be drafted on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, but went undrafted. The Packers may prefer keeping him on the 53-man roster rather than risk placing him on the practice squad and potentially losing him to another team.

Additionally, Barryn Sorrell suffered a sprained MCL against the Colts and could miss some time, but he’ll make the initial roster instead of going on IR in this projection.

Linebackers (6)

Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah McDuffie, Kristian Welch, Jamon Dumas-Johnson

Kristian Welch earns a spot on the 53-man roster after a strong showing throughout the preseason. Meanwhile, Jamon Dumas-Johnson (alongside Nazir Stackhouse) re-starts Green Bay’s UDFA streak. Additionally, Isaiah Simmons makes the roster, but not at the position you might expect.

Defensive Backs (10)

Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Xavier McKinney, Kitan Oladapo, Isaiah Simmons, Zayne Anderson

In this projection, the Packers keep only four cornerbacks, a big testament to their trust in Bo Melton to transition from wide receiver to defensive back.

They also move Isaiah Simmons to safety for extra depth in the secondary, allowing Javon Bullard to play closer to the line of scrimmage. Zayne Anderson suffered a knee injury against the New York Jets, but LaFleur doesn’t believe it’s long-term, so I haven’t placed him on injured reserve.

Special Teams (3)

There’s no other way to put it: I’d be shocked if the Packers go in any direction other than this one. They have stability in both the kicking and punting game for the first time in a long while, and that should be enough.

Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Xavier McKinney, Kitan Oladapo, Isaiah Simmons, Zayne Anderson

In this projection, the Packers keep only four cornerbacks, a big testament to their trust in Bo Melton to transition from wide receiver to defensive back.

They also move Isaiah Simmons to safety for extra depth in the secondary, allowing Javon Bullard to play closer to the line of scrimmage. Zayne Anderson suffered a knee injury against the New York Jets, but LaFleur doesn’t believe it’s long-term, so I haven’t placed him on injured reserve.