GREEN BAY – Until recently, Brian Gutekunst was building for the future. He drafted at volume. When he signed free agents, he focused on young talent.
It made sense as the Green Bay Packers transitioned to a new era with Jordan Love at quarterback. Love may not have been a rookie in his first year as starter in 2023, but the Packers knew they weren’t yet contending for a Super Bowl. It was a surprise when they advanced to the NFC playoffs divisional round in Love’s first season.
The Packers don’t expect to be surprising anyone now. Not after announcing their title window was wide open last August, trading for Micah Parsons. The Packers general manager no longer is building for tomorrow. This offseason, Gutekunst’s approach was entrenched in the present.
In his nine offseasons, Gutekunst never has checked off his to-do list so meticulously. That the most-significant area left unaddressed might be backup running back is a testament to how intently the Packers addressed their needs. Gutekunst’s two primary offseason acquisitions were defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Zaire Franklin, filling two areas of need with veterans who will play in their age 33 and 30 seasons, respectively, this fall.
Not quite the same as signing 26-year-olds Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney, as Gutekunst did two offseasons ago. Or even 28-year-old Aaron Banks and 26-year-old Nate Hobbs, which he did a year ago.
The draft class was small, only six players in total, tying the franchise’s fewest in any year. Gutekunst traded his final two picks to move up in the draft and take a kicker. Because a Super Bowl-contending team can’t afford uncertainty in the kicking game come January. His first pick – a second-rounder used to draft cornerback Brandon Cisse – targeted the roster’s biggest area of need, but Gutekunst also signed veteran Benjamin St-Juste rather than let the rookie walk in with an immediate starting job.
Most of the bases are covered as the Packers transition into their organized team activities. In the months ahead, they’ll need to mold their talent on paper into a Super Bowl-worthy team on the field. Here’s a position-by-position look at the Packers’ full, 91-man roster, with an extra spot because of one international exemption, as OTAs begin. The roster includes Bo Melton twice, reflecting his dual positions at cornerback and receiver.
Quarterbacks (4): Jordan Love, Tyrod Taylor, Kyle McCord, Kyron Drones (rookie)
For a while, I thought Desmond Ridder might make sense as the next developmental project for Matt LaFleur’s quarterback boot camp. He had 18 starts in his career, far more NFL experience than Malik Willis. At 6-foot-3⅜, 211 pounds, the 2022 third-round draft pick ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. Not Willis fast, but plenty athletic for his size. The only unknown was the most-important part: Could he throw at an NFL level? Because for all Willis’ athleticism, it was his ability to deliver through the air that turned him into the next Miami Dolphins starting quarterback. It’s as if the Packers got just enough of a glimpse at Ridder to not trust his arm, then pivoted to the next available option. So Tyrod Taylor is in line to be the No. 2 quarterback, which would give Love his first veteran backup. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of benefit having a 16th-year NFL veteran will give Love entering a critical fourth season as starter.
Running backs (6): Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, Pierre Strong Jr., Damien Martinez, Jaden Nixon (rookie)
Let’s say the quiet part out loud: A LOT is riding on MarShawn Lloyd doing what he hasn’t done at all in the first two years of his career, and finally staying healthy. Lloyd, a 2024 third-round draft pick, has played only 10 NFL snaps. If this were Madden, and you could just toggle off injuries, Lloyd is the change-of-pace tailback the Packers need behind Josh Jacobs. His speed is the ideal complement to Jacobs’ bruising, downhill power. But this is not Madden. Injuries derailed Lloyd’s first two NFL seasons, and the Packers are betting on him fixing that trend in his third year. It’s a gamble, especially with Jacobs entering his age-28 season.
Wide receivers (11): Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, *Bo Melton, Skyy Moore (free agent), Jakobie Keeney-James, Will Sheppard, Isaiah Neyor, Brenden Rice (free agent), J. Michael Sturdivant (rookie)
There’s less depth here than the past few years. That doesn’t seem like an accident, and it could be a good thing for the passing game. Gone are Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, the latter traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, the way cargo is thrown overboard on an overweight ship. In their absence, the Packers have an opportunity to establish clear roles for this group. Christian Watson is the field-stretching X, a combination of size and speed built for the perimeter. Jayden Reed is a playmaker from the slot. Matthew Golden has a clear path ahead of him for a big second season, lined up on the perimeter across from Watson. The Packers also can have a package to enhance Savion Williams’ versatility as a playmaker. Things could get dicey if injuries thin this group, but in Bo Melton and Skyy Moore, there is depth to get them through a week or two.
Tight ends (6): Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney, Messiah Swinson, RJ Maryland (rookie)
Then there’s also Tucker Kraft. Love’s safety net. For as much attention as Parsons’ recovery from a torn ACL might steal, nothing is more important to the Packers offense this season than Kraft returning to the player he was before tearing his ACL last November. Kraft, as a refresher, was ascending into one of the NFL’s top tight ends. With his ability to stretch short, high-percentage throws into big plays, and Luke Musgrave’s ability to stretch the seam, the Packers have the option to use two-tight end sets on a lot of downs. Quick aside on Musgrave: The 2023 second-round draft pick has not developed into a star, but his downfield route tree is a genuine tool for this passing game as a No. 2 tight end. The problem is when he’s asked to be something he’s not, more of a classic in-line tight end, where his blocking and difficulty with yards after the catch gets exposed. So long as Kraft stays healthy, the Packers won’t need Musgrave lined up next to the offensive line much. The Packers could have benefited from creating more depth here this spring, but Josh Whyle gave them something as a blocker last season.
Tackles (5): Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Darian Kinnard, Brant Banks, Dalton Cooper
If this seems light, remember the Packers have multiple interior options that can slide outside to guard. The big question is if Jordan Morgan can be an upgrade over departed free agent Rasheed Walker on the left side. On one hand, if he were an upgrade, it’s hard to understand why he didn’t play there over Walker last season. On the other, Gutekunst suggested Morgan deserved to win the left tackle job out of training camp last year, and it is his natural position. After Kraft’s ACL recovery, there’s no more important uncertainty for the Packers offense than how Morgan adjusts as a full-time left tackle. But Zach Tom’s recovery from surgery for a partially torn patellar tendon also is a big unknown. A lot of question marks at tackle, a consistent theme for the Packers offensive line this offseason.
Guards (9): Aaron Banks, Anthony Belton, Travis Glover, Donovan Jennings, John Williams, Karsen Barnhart, Dylan Barrett (rookie), Josh Gesky (rookie), Dillon Wade (rookie)
Can a healthier Aaron Banks be a better Aaron Banks? How high is Anthony Belton’s ceiling after moving to guard midway through last season? Questions. But Travis Glover’s return from missing all of last season with a torn lat muscle should help. Before his injury, Glover was getting the kind of reps in training camp that indicated he could be an important part of the line’s depth. While he’s probably more of a guard at this point, the Packers have him listed as a tackle, and he’s among the interior options capable of sliding outside.
Center (3): Sean Rhyan, Jager Burton (rookie), Jacob Monk
Jager Burton might be the only offensive lineman the Packers drafted last month, but his development could be important early. Sean Rhyan was a revelation at center after replacing injured Elgton Jenkins midway through last season, and he’ll have the job to himself this fall. But he’s a longtime guard, and if there are problems to fix elsewhere on the line, returning him to guard could be a last-ditch resort. That’s if Burton is ready to take some center snaps, because center has the least depth on the line. If all goes according to plan, Rhyan will be a reliable piece in the middle.
Defensive tackle (10): Devonte Wyatt, Javon Hargrave (free agent), Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Chris McClellan (rookie), Nazir Stackhouse, Jordon Riley, Jonathan Ford, Jaden Crumedy, Anthony Campbell
Before trading for Parsons last summer, defensive tackle was on track to be a strength of this roster. With Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt, the Packers had a pair of every-down starters in the trenches. They whittled their depth to just one in trading Clark to the Dallas Cowboys, because when a team can get a generational pass rusher like Parsons, it’s an easy price to pay. But Wyatt was awfully alone in the middle before his season ended because of an ankle injury on Thanksgiving. Which is why signing Javon Hargrave might be the biggest move Gutekunst made in a busy offseason. Hargrave might not match Clark’s run defense, but he’s been a more productive pass rusher throughout his career. Both have been to multiple Pro Bowls. Gutekunst knew since last August there was a hole next to Wyatt on the line, and he filled it. The rest of the depth chart fills in nicely behind the top duo.
Defensive end (9): Micah Parsons, Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr., Collin Oliver, Dani Dennis-Sutton (rookie), Arron Mosby, Nyjalik Kelly (rookie), Dante Barnett
Parsons’ return from a torn ACL last December is the single biggest factor influencing the team this season. If he remains the force multiplier he’s been throughout his career, including his first 14½ games in Green Bay last season, the Packers are a Super Bowl contender. They’ll have to wait awhile to find out, as Parsons is expected to miss the start of this season, and in the meantime their depth will be tested. It’s a big season for Lukas Van Ness, the 2023 first-round draft pick whose fifth-year option was exercised this spring. The Packers will hope they can scrounge up enough production from the likes of Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr., Collin Oliver and rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton to get them through September.
Linebacker (7): Edgerrin Cooper, Zaire Franklin (trade), Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann, Kristian Welch, TJ Quinn (rookie)
With or without Quay Walker, it was time for Edgerrin Cooper to assume the top spot on the second level of the defense. Swap Walker for veteran Zaire Franklin, and that doesn’t change Cooper’s outlook. Cooper has star potential. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon must figure out ways to put his young linebacker in position to match it. Franklin and Isaiah McDuffie provide solid depth, but it’s time for Ty’Ron Hopper to get a chance for a bigger role on defense. The 2024 third-round draft pick has flashed potential, but he hasn’t developed consistency. If he establishes himself this fall, this position could be a significant strength.
Cornerback (9): Keisean Nixon, Benjamin St-Juste (free agent), Brandon Cisse (rookie), Carrington Valentine, Domani Jackson (rookie), Kamal Hadden, *Bo Melton, Shemar Bartholomew, MJ Devonshire Jr. (free agent), Marlon Jones (rookie)
No, there is not a No. 1 cornerback here. The Packers will do fine if they can have two reliable starters, something that eluded them last season. Gutekunst forecast he would build depth this offseason, and he aggressively added in free agency and the draft. His intense focus on upgrading cornerback included veteran Benjamin St-Juste, second-round draft pick Brandon Cisse and fifth-round pick Domani Jackson, crowding Carrington Valentine on the depth chart. Expect St-Juste and Cisse to compete for the starting job in camp, and it would be surprising if the veteran doesn’t start early. The question is how quickly Cisse can develop into a reliable contributor, because his size and athleticism belong on the field.
Safety (8): Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo, Johnathan Baldwin, Jaylin Simpson, Mark Perry, Murvin Kenion (rookie)
Maybe the strongest position on the roster. Even in a regressed season for Xavier McKinney, thanks to a handful of dropped picks he converted to takeaways in 2024, he was still one of the NFL’s best safeties. And Evan Williams, a perfect complement closer to the line of scrimmage, is fresh on his heels for best safety on the roster. Javon Bullard owned the nickel position last season, and he’ll continue to complete the secondary in the slot. Only a couple of years ago, safety was a longtime weakness on the roster. That has changed almost overnight.
Specialists (4): Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech, Trey Smack (rookie), Lucas Havrisik
After leading the league with a whopping 51.7-yard gross average in 2025, Daniel Whelan might be one of the NFL’s best punters. The Packers believe rookie Trey Smack was the best college kicker last season. While Lucas Havrisik remains on the roster, they released Brandon McManus to clear Smack’s path to the job. The question is how quickly he can find rhythm with Whelan and snapper Matt Orzech, and whether he can lower his apex to more comfortably kick inside Lambeau Field. But special-teams coordinator Cam Achord was correct when he said the pieces are in place for a strong special teams. This group simply must find a way to make it happen.
Roster superlatives
Heaviest player: Jordon Riley and Jonathan Ford, 338-pound defensive tackles.
Lightest: Jaylin Simpson, a 180-pound defensive back.
Tallest: Tight ends Josh Whyle and Messiah Swinson and tackle Brant Banks, each listed at 6-foot-7.
Shortest: MarShawn Lloyd, a 5-foot-9 running back.
Most experienced: Tyrod Taylor, entering his 16th season.
Oldest: Tyrod Taylor, a 36-year-old quarterback.
Youngest: Brandon Cisse, a 20-year-old rookie cornerback drafted in the second round out of South Carolina.
Most represented college: Georgia with four players, nickel cornerback Javon Bullard, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, defensive tackle Warren Brinson and defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse.
* = Bo Melton is listed at two positions
This article originally appeared on Packers News: Packers roster analysis | Brian Gutekunst made offseason moves to win now
Reporting by Ryan Wood, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Packers News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
