As we get closer to week 3 of the preseason, the Packers 53 man roster is becoming a little more clear… but not really. With new names emerging as well as new injuries daily, the cut list begins to blur as fast as it clears.
There are some players that can help make everyone’s job easier by demonstrating they need to be on the 53 man roster.
Reggie Gilbert
One of the more disheartening aspects of training camp has been the lack of positive news coming in about the outside linebackers. Very little has been said about the top two players, Matthews and Perry. Jayrone Elliot is dealing with injuries, Kyler Fackrell has received more negative attention than just about anyone on the team for his lack of production, and 4th round pick Vince Biegel has yet to see a single snap due to injury.
The dire situation was revealed further in a telling article by Zach Kruse of Packer Wire. In the article, Matthews essentially makes it very clear there is Perry, there is Matthews, and there is nothing else. He was as complimentary as he could be of Elliot and Fackrell but ultimately he made it clear there isn’t there services won’t be needed on a regular basis.
All of this creates a sort of vacuum that is dying to be filled. Unlike some players that deserve to be on the team but the depth makes it difficult, the Packers roster is aching for a pass rusher to step up and fill a void. Second year player out of Arizona, Reggie Gilbert, is about the only name on the 90 man roster that emerges as a possible candidate to contribute. And we need him to do so.
Gilbert has been arguably the most productive OLB on the 90 man roster in 2017 being 1 of only 2 players with a sack, as well as 3 tackles which ties for first place among outside backers.
Gilbert lacks in speed, running the 40 yard dash in 4.88 seconds but is built similar to Nick Perry at 6’3 261 pounds. On Saturday, Gilbert will be going up against a Broncos team that has taken a step in their efforts to bolster their depleted offensive line but are still struggling in the tackle department, giving Gilbert a great opportunity to prove his importance.
Jordan Tripp
In yesterdays podcast, I made a case for the Packers only putting 2 inside linebackers on the 53 man roster. Of course that would be 2 in title only with Burnett, Jones, Matthews, and Biegel being additional players that could be rotated in. Although I tend to like that plan I find it incredibly unlikely the Packers will take that advice.
If the Packers do bring 3 linebackers along to the regular season, Joe Thomas seems to be ahead of the pack by a wide margin. The Packers coaches seem to love his skill set and use him a ton in passing situations. Thomas also leads all inside linebackers with 9 tackles so far this preseason.
Still, there is a logical reason to use Tripp in place of Thomas. Yesterday in a press conference, Mike McCarthy reiterated his commitment to making special teams better. Tripp is a key special teams piece. If the Packers feel comfortable using either Jake Ryan or Blake Martinez in third down situations, along with either Burnett or Jones, adding Tripp to the team would allow the Packers to only keep three inside linebackers as well as a very important special teams piece.
If any of this is going to happen, Tripp will need to have a great showing in one of the two remaining preseason games. He needs to prove he can be an NFL linebacker and not just a special teams player.
Trevor Davis
Speaking of just special teams players, have you met my friend Trevor Davis? Now I know the majority of Packers fans are putting Davis on the 53 and Jeff Janis on the roster bubble as the “just a special teams” player, but I tend to very adamantly disagree. Jeff Janis is 6’3 (as tall as Jordy) and ran a 4.42 (as fast as Davis), is a gunner extraordinaire, the starting kick returner, and in 2016 had 8 more receptions for 69 more yards than Davis. Sorry to tell you folks, Davis is the man on the bubble.
Now that I got that out of the way, word has it that Trevor Davis has actually made some strides as a receiver, which is critically important for him to do as he is currently just a punt returner with several talented wide receivers waiting to take his spot on the roster.
Although seeming to solidify his place on the roster with a punt return, Davis followed that up with a critical fumble against the Redskins. The very next day it was reported that Davis had fumbled in practice. This is not a trivial matter. As good as he is as a pass returner if he can’t clean up the fumbling and or become a more reliable receiver, the need for him on the 53 is nullified.
Kentrell Brice
Like many of these bubble players, it all depends on how many players at the position the Packers intend to keep. If the Packers keep 5 safeties, I can tell you confidently Brice will be on the team. If, however, the Packers decide they are only taking putting 4 on the active roster, Brice has a bit of an intense battle on his hands.
With Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Josh Jones already locks to make the 53 man roster, if the Packers decide to keep 4 safeties, Brice will have to compete with the red hot Marwin Evans.
Brice actually looked pretty good in week one, flying to the ball on several occasions but missed just about every tackle in front of him. A big showing against a Broncos team that is captained by a subpar quarterback, Trevor Siemian could go a long way in at least convincing the Packers they need to bring along 5 safeties.
Max McCaffrey
As a receiver, I don’t think McCaffrey could do a single thing to raise his stock. He’s already been the talk of training camp as well as being the receiver with the most targets, second highest yards behind Janis, third highest yards per reception behind Janis and Yancey, and is third in the longest reception category with a 34 yard reception.
With everything he’s done, there’s either room for him on the team or there isn’t. Talent and production are not an issue.
Still, there is maybe one thing he could do to lock up a spot on this roster. If McCaffrey is given a shot on special teams and is able to make an impact, especially as a returner, I think he’ll be able to lock up a spot on the 53. If the Packers really want him, they’ll give him a chance on special teams. Keep an eye on that.
Any offensive lineman
Behind the starting offensive line we’ve heard nothing but negative news and updates. There have been a few glimmers of hope with Kyle Murphy but not a lot else. If we as fans are going to feel good about the 2017 season, there needs to be at least some semblance of depth at a position that is often injured.
With Bulaga being hurt, it’s trial by fire time. Keep Von Miller off of Aaron Rodgers. The fire doesn’t get much hotter than that.
Taysom Hill
It’s entirely possible, as well as logical from where I’m sitting, to only bring 2 quarterbacks to the 53 man roster. Still, there is a very good chance a third will make the cut. It’s also possible the 4th is cut. With that level of potential disparity, it’s important for either Callahan or Hill to separate themselves. So far it’s hard to tell which is a better talent.
Considering the injury history, age, and lack of experience in the NFL and with the Packers, I would say a tie would go to Callahan. With that said, I think it’s important for Hill to be the one to prove he is a better and more reliable talent to win football games than Callahan.
Ripkowski and Kerridge
This is an almost identical situation but in this case, 1 will be playing on a regular basis. It’s possible the Packers bring two fullbacks like they did last year but with the new additions at running back, I can’t imagine two are needed.
Again I give the tie to the experienced player but I don’t think it’s a tie at this point. From what I’ve heard Kerridge has had a better 2017. Considering the lack of opportunities the fullbacks are getting it’s going to important that these guys maximize the chances they do get in order to separate.
Right now it’s too close to call.