The Green Bay Packers will cut their roster to 53 players on Saturday. Usually, their initial 53 isn't the 53 they take into Week 1 but given the COVID-19 protocols for adding players, this could be the roster they bring to Minnesota for the season opener against the Vikings on Sept. 13.
Here is a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle, Jordan Love
Boyle has been fantastic throughout training camp, meaning the Packers won't even need Love to be their backup. Meanwhile, Love has looked like a rookie who had no in-person offseason program and a truncated training camp.
RUNNING BACKS (4): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Jamaal Williams, Tyler Ervin
Unless the Packers trade Williams, there's no room for second-year back Dexter Williams, who hasn't shown many signs of progress. Fullback John Lovett is an interesting, versatile piece but several of their tight ends can fill that role, too.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5): Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow.
Darrius Shepherd has perhaps the best case for the sixth spot but given how the Packers started to use the versatile Ervin in a variety of gadget roles last season, the Packers might not have to keep six if they plan to bounce him between running back and receiver. Free-agent signing Devin Funchess opted out and no one among the group of former CFL standout Reggie Begelton, Malik Taylor and Malik Turner has stood out. Any of them could make it back on the practice squad.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Marcedes Lewis, Robert Tonyan, Jace Sternberger, Josiah Deguara
It was foolish to think Tonyan wouldn't make it, as was the case in the first crack at the 53 before camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Lane Taylor, Billy Turner, Rick Wagner, Lucas Patrick, Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson, Alex Light.
Assuming all of the missed time in camp will cost Wagner any shot at the starting job, Turner will move from right guard to right tackle and Taylor gets a starting job back (at right guard) after losing the left guard spot to Jenkins (and to injury) last season. Also, the last tackle spot could easily go to John Leglue instead of Light.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Kingsley Keke, Montravius Adams, Tyler Lancaster
Adams' toe injury might force the Packers to keep another lineman, perhaps Treyvon Hester, but this group could end up being the same as last season.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): Christian Kirksey, Kamal Martin, Oren Burks, Ty Summers
The surprise isn't who the Packers will keep but who they will start. The way Martin, a fifth-round pick, has flashed in camp, don't be surprised if he gets the first shot alongside Kirksey.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS (5): Preston Smith, Za'Darius Smith, Rashan Gary, Tim Williams, Tipa Galeai
Williams has shown some burst around the edge as a pass-rusher. It might be a bit of a surprise if they keep Galeai, an undrafted rookie, over seventh-round pick Jonathan Garvin. Or maybe they'll keep just four and hope they can get both rookies back on the practice squad.
SAFETIES (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage Jr., Raven Greene, Will Redmond, Vernon Scott.
Scott, a seventh-round pick, has shown playmaking skills in practice and could force his way on to the roster instead of the practice squad.
CORNERBACKS (5): Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Chandon Sullivan, Josh Jackson, Stanford Samuels
In a tough year for undrafted rookies to show what they can do, Samuels has been around the ball at every turn. Unless they decided to re-sign Tramon Williams, it looks like Sullivan will be the nickel back. Ka'dar Hollman would be the sixth corner if they keep that many.
SPECIALISTS (3): Mason Crosby, JK Scott, Hunter Bradley
Crosby is back with a new contract that makes him the fourth highest-paid kicker in the league. They need more consistency from Scott's punts and Bradley's snaps.