The Green Bay Packers open the 2022 NFL regular season at the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 11 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
They will do so with a revamped receiving corps, minus All-Pro Davante Adams and deep threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling. While much of training camp has been focused on getting quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the same page with a new group of receivers -- including veteran Sammy Watkins and rookies Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs -- they have a dynamic running back duo in Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon, along with what they think is their best defense in years and what they hope is an improved special teams under new coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Among the biggest questions is the offensive line and whether the likes of David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins will be healthy in time for the opener.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Aug. 30. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love
Love has shown significant improvement and might be better suited to handle things if Rodgers has to miss time. Danny Etling will likely be the practice squad/No. 3 quarterback.
RUNNING BACK (2): Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon
Kylin Hill will start the season on physically unable to perform (PUP) list and therefore be unavailable for at least the first four weeks as he continues his ACL recovery in his right knee. Tyler Goodson had a productive preseason, while Patrick Taylor has the experience in blitz pickup -- and protecting Rodgers is the top priority. But neither one has separated himself, and given the Packers keep referring to this as a 69-man roster (with the 16 practice-squad spots), they could just elevate Goodson or Taylor -- assuming they get through waivers -- on a week-by-week basis until Hill is back.
WIDE RECEIVER (7): Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Sammy Watkins, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Amari Rodgers, Juwann Winfree
It will come down to Winfree, Rodgers and Samori Toure for the last spot or two. They're probably not ready to give up on a third-round pick in his second year (Rodgers), and Aaron Rodgers has mentioned Winfree as a contributor several times. Toure, a seventh-round rookie, could probably pass through waivers and return on the practice squad.
TIGHT END (4): Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis
Tonyan came off PUP, so he'll count on the 53, even if he's not ready for Week 1. Davis has been shaky (penalties, drops), but they probably can't go without a fourth tight end. Davis also plays on several special teams.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Jon Runyan, Josh Myers, Jake Hanson, Royce Newman, Yosh Nijman, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Caleb Jones
The Cole Van Lanen trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars opens the door for the massive Jones (a 6-foot-9 rookie tackle) if they keep a 10th lineman, which they probably need in case Bakhtiari (torn left ACL) and/or Jenkins (torn left ACL) aren't ready for the opener.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed, Devonte Wyatt, T.J. Slaton, Jack Heflin
The top five were set the day training camp opened, and Heflin has played his way onto the roster late in the preseason.
INSIDE LINEBACKER (4): De'Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Krys Barnes, Isaiah McDuffie
Walker, the 22nd overall pick, will be an opening-day starter next to Campbell. McDuffie has made perhaps the most improvement from last year of anyone in camp. He and Barnes are on most of the special teams units.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (6): Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Jonathan Garvin, Kingsley Enagbare, Tipa Galeai, LaDarius Hamilton
The grouping behind Gary and Smith is so close they can probably be drawn out of a hat. Even Kobe Jones could factor into the mix.
CORNERBACK (5): Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles.
The top three -- Alexander, Douglas and Stokes -- give the Packers a legitimate shot at the best cornerback trio in the league. Nixon and Jean-Charles are big special teams contributors. If there's a sixth cornerback, Rico Gafford or Kiondre Thomas have a shot.
SAFETY (5): Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Shawn Davis, Dallin Leavitt, Tariq Carpenter.
Injuries are a factor at this position. Leavitt (shoulder) is a good bet for short-term injured reserve, but he has to be on the initial 53-man roster in order to qualify. They've already waived Vernon Scott with a shoulder injury. Micah Abernathy could supplant Carpenter, but a waiver pickup is also possible after the final cuts.
SPECIALIST (2): K Mason Crosby, P Pat O'Donnell
Don't worry, they'll have a long-snapper. But in order to get to 53, they might have to cut Jack Coco. They can bring him back or grab another snapper after they put Leavitt and/or someone else on injured reserve.