The Green Bay Packers are finishing up this week with the final events of training camp in 2025. The Seattle Seahawks are in town for a joint practice on Thursday and the preseason finale on Saturday, providing two more excellent evaluation opportunities for the fringes of the roster.
Who is battling for a 53-man roster spot and needs a strong finish to training camp?
Here are some players to watch between the joint practice and preseason finale over the next three days in Green Bay:
WR Malik Heath: The Packers are going to be shorthanded at receiver again, giving Heath another opportunity to operate with the starters, both at the joint practice Thursday and the preseason finale Saturday. Mecole Hardman is a vested veteran with a highly specialized role as a returner, so Heath is probably the better bet as the sixth receiver, if the Packers keep six. But he needs a strong finish to stick.
DL Nazir Stackhouse: Can the undrafted free agent prove reliable enough against the run to crack the 53-man roster? He’s been up and down this preseason, with several strong snaps and several others where he’s been push around. Stackhouse is facing a tough path for a rookie who has a specialized role on defense and no clear role on special teams.
RB Emanuel Wilson: The Packers love Chris Brooks, who is making the team, and Wilson — despite producing over 500 total yards last season — might be on the roster bubble after losing a fumble and blowing a block in pass pro last week. Wilson is a legit NFL running back but the Packers are deep at the position and have big decisions to make, especially after MarShawn Lloyd went down again.
CB Kalen King: In the battle between King, Kamal Hadden and Micah Robinson, King appears to be making a late charge. The 22-year-old could secure the fifth cornerback spot with a strong finish over the next three days, but Robinson — the seventh-round pick — is right on his heels. King also needs to prove he’s worth keeping over Corey Ballentine, who has starting experience and possibly a bigger role on special teams.
OL Donovan Jennings: He got a chance to start at left guard against the Colts starters last Saturday and really struggled. With the ninth offensive line spot wide open, Jennings hasn’t helped himself over the last two weeks. Can he bounce back over the next three days? He might be battling Kadeem Telfort and Lecitus Smith for the final offensive line spot.
LB Isaiah Simmons: It’s been a tough start to the preseason for Simmons, who flashed early in training camp but has been lost during games. The Packers have played him on almost 90 defensive snaps, so he’s getting plenty of opportunities. And Rich Bisaccia clearly wants him in a unique role on special teams. But Kristian Welch has been excellent on special teams this summer, and time is running out for Simmons to show competency at linebacker.
TE Ben Sims: The first three at tight end looked locked in with John FitzPatrick as the No. 3 behind Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave. The real question here: could Sims force the Packers to keep four? He had a few good moments in Indianapolis, including a negated touchdown catch in traffic. It’s unclear if Sims is valued enough on special teams at this point.
RB Israel Abanikanda: He arrived at training camp late but has impressed, both as a runner and on special teams. The Packers like him as a kickoff returner, and he even made a tackle covering a kick last week. Can he make a final push? He’s talented enough to make the 53.
OL Lecitus Smith: Jacob Monk is hurt, so expect Smith to get more opportunities to play center. He’s a veteran with actual regular season experience, and no other backup offensive lineman has really impressed this summer. The door is wide open for Smith, who can play center and guard and is coming off an encouraging performance against the Colts.
DE Arron Mosby: He made plays in Indianapolis and would be a core special teamer for Bisaccia — who played him on over 200 snaps for the third phase last year — if he makes the team. Barryn Sorrell’s injury might open the door for another player at defensive end. Last year, Mosby was excellent to end the preseason and made the 53.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: These 10 Packers need a strong finish to training camp to make 53-man roster
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
