The 2014 Green Bay Packers roster is beginning to take shape as the final cut deadlines approach. All NFL teams must have their rosters down to 75 players by August 26th at 3 p.m. On August 30th, the roster must be down to the final 53 players.
Green Bay released seven players in their preliminary cuts on Sunday: S Charles Clay, CB Antonio Dennard, WR Chris Harper, LB Korey Jones, FB Ina Liaina, QB Chase Rettig and WR Gerrard Sheppard. Those cuts, combined with the designations of B.J. Raji (triceps), Jared Abbrederis (knee) Colt Lyerla (knee) and likely Don Barclay (knee) to injured reserve, leaves Green Bay with 78 players on their active roster according to the team's official site.
Cutting this roster down to size will be a grueling task, but this is how the roster could look. Players are listed in random order by position, with the number of total players at that position in parentheses. Players marked with a "*" are likely to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and be unavailable to play through Week 6.
Offense:
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Matt Flynn, Scott Tolzien (3)
RB: Eddie Lacy, James Starks, DuJuan Harris (3)
FB: John Kuhn (1)
WR: Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams, Jeff Janis (5)
TE: Brandon Bostick, Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Ryan Taylor (4)
T: Derek Sherrod, Bryan Bulaga, David Bahktiari, Aaron Adams (4)
G: T.J. Lang, Josh Sitton, Lane Taylor (3)
C: JC Tretter*, Corey Linsley, Garth Gerhart (3)
Defense:
DE: Datone Jones, Mike Neal, Julius Peppers (3)
DT: Mike Daniels, Josh Boyd, Letroy Guion, Mike Pennel (4)
LB: Sam Barrington, A.J. Hawk, Clay Matthews, Brad Jones, Jamari Lattimore, Nick Perry, Andy Mulumba, Nate Palmer (8)
CB: Casey Hayward*, Tramon Williams, Davon House, Sam Shields, Jarrett Bush, Demetri Goodson (6)
S: Micah Hyde, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, Sean Richardson, Chris Banjo (5)
Specialists:
K: Mason Crosby (1)
P: Tim Masthay (1)
LS: Brett Goode (1)
This roster features an even split of 25 offensive and 25 defensive players, not counting the potential PUP candidates Tretter and Hayward. Other interesting notes about the roster:
- Rookie third-round pick Khyri Thornton was not included on the final 53, due primarily to limited production in his 80 defensive snaps this preseason. That snap count was the highest among members of the defensive front, but Thornton did not capitalize on the level the Packers would expect based on where he was drafted. Similar story for Carl Bradford, a fourth-rounder who was also left off the roster.
- Four tight ends made the cut, but that could change when Brandon Bostick returns. Ryan Taylor has served admirably on special teams, which would warrant an initial inclusion, but he could become expendable a couple weeks into the season.
- Potential starters being injured could create opportunities for other players. Garth Gerhart, Demetri Goodson and Mike Pennel could remain employed for at least a few more weeks to serve as depth while JC Tretter, Casey Hayward and B.J. Raji nurse injuries. Raji is out for the year, but Tretter and Hayward will be back in 2014 most likely.
Who do you think makes the final roster? What players should the Packers try to sign to their practice squad? Tweet @ZacBellman_WNY or @ChatPackers with your reaction to this potential roster.
Recent articles:
Packers Safeties Look to Make Jump From Liability to Asset in 2014
Packers Game by Game 2014 Predictions
Like us on Facebook!
Back to the Green Bay Packers Newsfeed