Two Positions Where the Green Bay Packers Could Look to Add a Player Not Currently on the Roster and One They Already Did

Like all NFL teams, the Green Bay Packers must be down to the 53-player limit by Tuesday afternoon. But making the initial roster doesn’t guarantee that a player will still be on the team for Week 1. The Packers open the season in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles. Here is a look at two positions that GM Brian Gutekunst could look to add a player via waivers or a trade after the team sets its initial roster and one where they already did.

Positions Where the Packers Could Look to Add a Player Not On the Roster, Number Two: Offensive Tackle

The starters are set with Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom, but depth is a question. Andre Dillard was signed to be the swing tackle, but he struggled early and was injured later in training camp. The other players on the roster at tackle have promise but lack experience. They may need more time before they can be ready to protect Jordan Love’s blind side.

Gutekunst may be able to get an upgrade over Dillard who struggled last season and seems to only play well on the left side.

Protecting the team’s investment in Love is paramount so adding an experienced veteran could be a good investment for the Packers after cuts are made.

Positions Where the Packers Could Look to Add a Player Not On the Roster, Number One: Kicker

The Packers have had three kickers in training camp and at OTAs with a revolving door at the third spot. Right now, Alex Hale has been named the team’s participant in the International Player Pathway program. That means the Pack can keep Hale on the practice squad with a special exemption that won’t count against the 16-player limit.

The incumbent kicker is Anders Carlson. Carlson has a strong leg but led the league in missed kicks last season. That included six missed field goals and five missed extra points. His biggest problem came on kicks between 30 and 39 yards which includes extra point tries. In the preseason finale, for example, He kicked a 54-yard field goal but then missed from 32 yards out later in the game.

Carlson has a strong leg but lacks consistency and appears to be struggling with his confidence. The Packers hope special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia can work on his game the way he did with his brother with the Raiders years ago. But can a contending team like the Packers afford to have uncertainty at kicker, a position that can directly cost them games?

The Competition

Greg Joseph remains the top competition on the current roster. He made a 55-yard field goal against the Ravens last Saturday. Joseph has more experience than Carlson, but his career numbers are roughly equal to Carlson’s. Joseph may be more consistent than his competition, but his leg strength isn’t considered as good despite the 55-yard kick last week.

Gutekunst already said he could bring in another kicker at any time and that would include after teams make their initial cuts. Quality kickers could become available, and the Pack could sign one of them and let both Carlson and Joseph go.

This is the position most likely to have an addition after the 53-man roster is announced.

One They Already Addressed: Backup Quarterback

Love is set as the starting quarterback, but Gutekunst was not comfortable with either Sean Clifford or Michael Pratt as the backup. Both are developmental quarterbacks who don’t appear ready to step in and play significant snaps.

As a result, the Packers traded for Malik Willis from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a 2025 7^th-round pick.

The Titans selected Willis in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6’1”, 219-pound Liberty alum has played in 11 games in two pro seasons, starting three. He completed 35-of-66 passes for 350 yards. Willis has yet to throw a touchdown pass in the NFL and has been intercepted three times.

Willis is a mobile quarterback. He has run the ball 32 times for 144 yards and a touchdown. That’s an average of 4.5-yards per run.

In addition to his mobility, Willis has good arm strength. He can complete all the throws required of an NFL quarterback. Because of his mobility, he can be successful when plays break down and he has to ad-lib. However, he needs to improve his accuracy and consistency when throwing the football.

He will give the Packers more experience at backup quarterback and a player who can give the team a chance to win if he has to start a handful of games due to an injury to Love.

Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers

Click here for more great Packers coverage