Packers Keep 3 UDFAs, 11 OL and 6 WRs

The Green Bay Packers' initial 53-man roster is set.

As we all know, that will not be the final roster. It's just a starting point. In fact, some players who are listed on the roster are already slated to be moved to a different spot as early as Wednesday.

For now, the Packers kept six outside linebackers, six receivers and three undrafted free agents. There are 11 offensive linemen on the initial 53-man roster, though that will be trimmed to 10.

More on that, and the rest of the roster, is below.

Quarterback

In: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

Out: Alex McGough

The only level of intrigue was whether the Packers would keep a third quarterback on the active roster, but Alex McGough's big preseason finale was not enough. He is likely a candidate for the practice squad.

Now, all eyes shift to Jordan Love in his first season as the unquestioned starting quarterback.

Running Back

In: Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, Emanuel Wilson

Out: Patrick Taylor, Tyler Goodson, Lew Nichols (injury settlement) Nate McCrary

The big story here is that undrafted free agent, and one of the best stories of training camp, Emanuel Wilson made the initial roster.

There were questions about whether the Packers would only keep two running backs with the NFL allowing practice squad elevations, a carryover from the 2020 season impacted by COVID-19.

Wilson was the NFL's leading rusher in preseason and a more dynamic runner than Patrick Taylor.

According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson led the NFL in missed tackles forced (11) and had five carries of more than 10 yards.

Tyler Goodson may have pushed Wilson but Goodson missed the last two preseason games with a shoulder injury. Taylor and Goodson could be candidates for the practice squad.

Wide Receiver

In: Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Samori Toure, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath

Out: Jadakis Bonds, Cody Chrest, Grant DuBose, Bo Melton, Dre Miller, Deuce Watts

The Packers kept six receivers. One mild surprise being they released Grant DuBose, a seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft.

DuBose started training camp on the NFI list and missed the entire offseason program, but came on strong to close out camp. It's possible the Packers could bring him back to the practice squad.

One of the top camp stories is Malik Heath, who went from undrafted rookie to working with the starters in the final preseason game. Whether he remains there is to be determined, but that is as big of an ascension for an undrafted free agent since Sam Shields became a key contributor on the 2010 team that won Super Bowl XLV.

Dontayvion Wicks made the initial roster. Whether he remains there will be something to monitor as he missed the last week with a hamstring injury and struggled with injuries during camp.

Tight End

In: Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Josiah Deguara

Out: Austin Allen, Henry Pearson

The Packers kept three tight ends if you include Josiah Deguara. There's only two if you don't.

This feels like an easy spot to guess an outside addition will be made. The loss of Tyler Davis put a damper on the position group as well as the special teams.

Otherwise, this is all about a youth movement. Tucker Kraft struggled in the preseason, but he's going to get his chances. Luke Musgrave was one of the stars of camp and looks to be a focal point in the passing game.

Call him a tight end. Call him a fullback. Regardless, Deguara is going to play.

Offensive Line

In: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, Jon Runyan Jr, Zach Tom, Rasheed Walker, Yosh Njiman, Luke Tenuta, Caleb Jones, Sean Rhyan,, Royce Newman

Out: James Empey, Cole Schneider, Kadeem Telfort, Jean Delance

A whopping 11 offensive linemen were kept on the initial 53-man roster. That number will come down tomorrow as Luke Tenuta will be put on injured reserve to make room for long-snapper Matt Orzech.

Defensive Line

In: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, TJ Slaton, Colby Wooden, Karl Brooks, Jonathan Ford

Out: Jason Lewan, Antonio Moultrie, Chris Slayton

The Packers' defensive line is one of the units with a lot of eyes on it going into 2023.

They were the worst run defense in football a year ago. They've been near the bottom since Brian Gutekunst took over.

They kept six guys there including big-bodied Jonathan Ford who should serve as the team's backup nose tackle as Kenny Clark transitions to defensive end.

Brooks and Wooden were two of the stars of camp and could push for playing time early.

Outside Linebacker

In: Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, Lukas Van Ness, Justin Hollins, Kingsley Enagbare, Brenton Cox

Out: Keshawn Banks, Arron Mosby, Kenneth Odumegwu

One of the top undrafted free agents, Brenton Cox made the final roster, making the most of his third chance at a future in football.

Cox being retained may have caused some nervous moments for Justin Hollins, but he made the roster as well. The Packers kept six edge rushers with Cox, Hollins, Kingsley Enagbare, and Lukas Van Ness slated to backup Preston Smith and Rashan Gary.

Inside Linebacker

In: Quay Walker, De'Vondre Campbell, Isaiah McDuffie, Tariq Carpenter, Eric Wilson

Out: Jimmy Phillips Jr. Marvin Pierre

The Packers take five guys at inside linebacker, but Carpenter is likely to be used in a special teams only capacity.

Carpenter and Wilson are two of the team's best special teams players, and they'll be relied on heavily for that third phase.

McDuffie played well in place of De'Vondre Campbell. It remains to be seen if Campbell will be active Week 1 against Chicago.

Jimmy Phillips Jr. had a nice camp and could catch on somewhere, maybe even Green Bay's practice squad.

Cornerback

In: Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine

Out: Innis Gaines, Corey Ballentine, Kiondre Thomas, Shemar Jean-Charles, William Hooper, Elijah Hamilton, Tyrell Ford

PUP: Eric Stokes

Eric Stokes will begin the season on the PUP list, which puts the Packers at only four cornerbacks for the first week of the season. That is their plan to only carry the four they have left on the roster.

Innis Gaines was a bit of a surprise release due to his ability on special teams, and experience in the slot.

The Packers got a look at rookie Carrington Valentine in the slot against Seattle, which might have given them comfort that he's able to handle duties there should he be asked to.

Safety

In: Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford, Dallin Leavitt, Jonathan Owens, Anthony Johnson Jr.

Out: Benny Sapp III

Injured Reserve: Tarvarius Moore

Tarvarius Moore entered camp with an opportunity to become a starter, but that didn't come to fruition. Moore was sidelined by a minor knee injury that kept him out of the final preseason game.

That, coupled with a strong finish to the exhibition season by rookie Anthony Johnson Jr. likely spelled the end of the road for Moore.

The Packers don't have a strong group here, so they're hoping the strength comes in numbers.

Specialists

In: Anders Carlson, Daniel Whelan

Out: Pat O'Donnell, Matt Orzech

Waived/Injured: Broughten Hatcher

Matt Orzech was the first release of the day announced, but as noted by Bill Huber it comes with an asterisk.

He'll be re-signed tomorrow after the Packers put offensive lineman Luke Tenuta on injured reserve.

Pat O'Donnell was released yesterday, which was a little surprising, but the youth movement extends to the punt team as well.

The Packers will be breaking in a new snapper, holder, kicker, and punter for the 2023 season. Rich Bisaccia is going to earn his paycheck in 2023.

Also as reported earlier, Eric Stokes will start the season on PUP.https://t.co/1TEVlrSEDB
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 29, 2023

More Green Bay Packers News:

Tracking the Packers’ roster cuts

Packers could move on from these five starters

Five preseason overreactions

Add us as a preferred source on Google