The Green Bay Packers made their final cuts on Tuesday to get down to the NFL mandated roster limit of 53 players. Most of the moves were expected but as always, there were some surprises in the players GM Brian Gutekunst, and head coach Matt LaFleur decided to keep and let go. Here is a look at the five biggest surprises from the Packers initial 53-man roster. Some players could still be signed to the practice squad later this week and then elevated to the active roster for one game or on a full-time basis.

Obviously, the roster is never final, and the Packers will be signing and releasing players throughout the season due to injuries, poor play, or the availability of a player the team really wants to sign.

Five Biggest Surprises from the Packers Initial Roster, Number Five: The Packers Kept Only Four LBs

Most experts expected the Packers to keep five linebackers total. Instead, they went with just four. The battle for the final spot was between Kristian Welch and Isaiah Simmons. Instead, neither player made the initial 53-man roster.

That means the Packers kept only four linebackers. The starters will be Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, and Isaiah McDuffie. The lone backup on the roster right now is Ty’Ron Hopper.

Another move will be possible, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see at least one linebacker elevated from the practice squad for the season opener against the Lions.

Number Four: CB Kalen King Was Released

Cornerback Kalen King had a strong training camp and preseason but was still released on Tuesday. The 2024 seventh-round pick out of Penn State was beaten out for the final two cornerback spots by Kamal Hadden and rookie seventh-round pick, Micah Robinson.

Hadden spent all of last season on the Packers practice squad. He was elevated for two games but played just seven total snaps with all of them coming on special teams. He also had a strong preseason.

If they pass through waivers, both King and Corey Ballentine are realistic possibilities for the practice squad.

Five Biggest Surprises from the Packers Initial Roster, Number Three: The Packers Kept Six DTs

Instead of keeping five defensive tackles, the Packers kept six. Many people expected the final spot to be a battle between sixth-round pick Warren Brinson and undrafted free agent Nazir Stackhouse. The two were teammates at the University of Georgia.

The Packers opted to keep both players. It makes sense because they have different skill sets. Brinson provides more pass rushing ability and is an all-around defensive tackle. Stackhouse gives the team a run-stuffing nose tackle to replace the departed T.J. Slaton. Stackhouse keeps the Packers streak of keeping at least one undrafted free agent on their opening roster alive at 21 years.

The Packers now have a lot of depth at defensive tackle to start the season.

Number Two: The Packers Kept Six Cornerbacks

The decision to keep six cornerbacks was a surprise. The biggest reason was that Javon Bullard plays both safety and slot corner. That means the opening roster will have seven players who are capable of contributing at cornerback.

The depth behind the top three remains unproven, but even if they don’t have experienced NFL backups, they do have numbers. Special teams factored into the roster decisions as well.

Five Biggest Surprises from the Packers Initial Roster, Number One: OL Donovan Jennings Made the Team

The Packers offensive line depth was a question entering the final cuts. The top seven was set with Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom as the starters. Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton were also locks to make the roster.

After the preseason finale, the Packers acquired Darrian Kinnard in a trade to fill the eighth spot. That left one or two spots left depending on how Gutekunst filled out the roster.

The one spot went to Donovan Jennings, despite his uneven preseason performance. Jacob Monk was placed on IR with a designation to return.

Jennings’ versatility helped him. He’s capable of filling in at four of the five positions along the offensive line with the exception of center.

 

 

 

 

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