The Green Bay Packers have 64 players under contract as of Monday, April 3, according to Over the Cap (note: there is a discrepancy, safety Vernon Scott is listed as under contract at OTC but is not listed on the Packers current roster.)
Teams can roster 90 players during the offseason and into training camp, so the Packers will, at various points, add 27 players between now and late July.
How does the roster look with most of free agency in the rear-view mirror and the draft now only weeks away?
Where is help required? Here’s a look at the roster, position by position, after three weeks of free agency and with the draft three weeks out.
Quarterback (3)
On the roster: Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love, Danny Etling
Unsigned: None
Once Rodgers is traded to the New York Jets, only Love and Etling will remain. Love has one career start; Etling has never appeared in an NFL regular season game. The Packers need help here, either in the form of a veteran who can back up Love as the No. 2 or a rookie who can overtake Etling. A veteran would be best here, but the Packers have to be cost-conscious and the options available are dwindling.
Running back (4)
On the roster: Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson
Unsigned: None
Jones’ cap number balloons to over $17 million in 2024, so it’s possible he’s about to enter his final season in Green Bay. Dillon is going into the final year of his rookie deal. Although the Packers like Taylor and Goodson, a draft pick here makes a lot of sense to provide long-term stability.
Wide receiver (5)
On the roster: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Samori Toure, Jeff Cotton, Bo Melton
Lost: Allen Lazard
Unsigned: Randall Cobb
The need here is obvious. The Packers would like to add a veteran, which is understandable given the near-complete lack of collective experience of the five receivers on the roster. This group also needs a draft pick or two to add to the overall talent base. The Packers like to bring at least nine or 10 receivers to camp, so several additions will be made. While Watson and Doubs provide a strong foundation, this important position group looks undeniably shaky at this point in the offseason.
Tight end (4)
On the roster: Josiah Deguara, Tyler Davis, Austin Allen, Nick Guggemos
Lost: Robert Tonyan
Unsigned: Marcedes Lewis
The rebuild is on. While Deguara and Davis return from last year’s 53-man roster, neither should be expected to be a full-time player. In reality, the Packers probably need at least one veteran and two talented draft picks to restock this position. As it stands right now, no team in football has a worse collection of tight ends.
Offensive line (13)
On the roster: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Jon Runyan Jr., Josh Myers, Yosh Nijman, Zach Tom, Royce Newman, Jake Hanson, Sean Rhyan, Rasheed Walker, Caleb Jones, Luke Tenuta, Jean Delance
Unsigned: None
Arguably the most stable and well-stocked position on the roster. All five preferred starters from last season return, as well as the team’s preferred depth options. Although Bakhtiari’s future past 2023 is unclear, the Packers have capable options behind him and developmental players at offensive tackle. There’s a good mix of experience and youth here, but the Packers have drafted at least one offensive lineman every year except for one over the past quarter century. Expect the trend to continue.
Defensive line (5)
On the roster: Kenny Clark, TJ Slaton, Devonte Wyatt, Chris Slayton, Jonathan Ford
Lost: Dean Lowry, Jarran Reed
Lowry and Reed left in free agency, opening up over 1,000 snaps along the defensive line. Slaton and Wyatt will assume many of the leftovers, but depth is desperately required here. Only three players on the roster at defensive line have any NFL experience. Can the Packers find a cheap veteran and a rookie who can contribute right away? Two or three (or more) additions are required before camp.
Edge rusher (6)
On the roster: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Kingsley Enagbare, Justin Hollins, Ladarius Hamilton, Jonathan Garvin
Unsigned: None
All six of the Packers’ edge rushers have NFL experience. There is a short-term worry (Gary’s recovery from ACL injury) and long-term concern (Smith turns 31 in November), but the position is in decent shape overall. That said, no team should ever get comfortable at edge rusher, and this is a deep draft class at the position. The Packers need to take one, potentially early.
Inside linebacker (4)
On the roster: De’Vondre Campbell, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Eric Wilson
Lost: Krys Barnes
Unsigned: None
This is a solid top four, even after losing Barnes. The Packers have the trusty vet, ascending first-rounder, do-it-all backup and core special teamer. Drafting a linebacker on Day 3 makes a lot of sense in terms of developing out the position long-term and adding what could be another special teams weapon for Rich Bisaccia. Think speed here.
Cornerback (9)
On the roster: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Eric Stokes, Keisean Nixon, Shemar Jean-Charles, Corey Ballentine, Kiondre Thomas, Benjie Franklin, Tyrell Ford
Unsigned: None
This is another position where it looks good on paper but it is so important that adding more depth can’t be ignored. The Packers clearly believe they have four corners capable of starting, including Nixon, and Darnell Savage can play in the slot. The path to a roster spot might be difficult for a rookie, but competition behind the top four is necessary.
Safety (6)
On the roster: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Tarvarius Moore, Innis Gaines, Tariq Carpenter, James Wiggins
Unsigned: Adrian Amos, Dallin Leavitt
Bringing back Ford and signing Moore provided some much-needed stability, and the Packers are going to move Savage back to safety to start 2023, so the cupboard isn’t completely bare. But it wouldn’t be hard to argue that the Packers need at least one new starter (and possibly two) at safety. Can it be found in the draft? This isn’t a great class at the position, and most of the free-agent veterans are now signed. It’s possible Amos will return on a cheap deal, and the Packers will spend a mid-round pick on a developmental option. This is clearly a position in transition, which could limit the high-end potential of the pass defense.
Specialists (4)
On the roster: Pat O’Donnell, Jack Coco, Matt Orzech, Parker White
Unsigned: Mason Crosby
The Packers should be set at punter and long snapper, but kicker remains a mystery. Crosby is possibly too expensive (and probably too old), but White has never kicked in an NFL game. Adding a kicker through free agency or the draft is a must. The Packers, with seven Day 3 picks, should have plenty of chances to add competition at kicker later this month.
