3 players the Packers had to cut but might end up regretting it

Roster cut days are a period of the NFL calendar full of tough choices. The Green Bay Packers did it on Tuesday, and they ended up with three players picked up on waivers by other NFL teams. Other former pieces of the roster decided to go elsewhere as well, so some decisions will be under a microscope over the next few months.

Anthony Johnson Jr.

The decision to move on from Anthony Johnson was certainly the most questionable one during final cuts. The Packers opted to keep Zayne Anderson instead because he's a better special teamer, but Johnson had a strong preseason.

Considering the former seventh-round pick began the offseason program as a starter alongside Xavier McKinney, the option to waive him was surprising. The New York Giants took advantage of that, claiming the defensive back off waivers.

The Packers have a strong depth at safety now, with McKinney and the three rookies — Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo. But you never know with rookies. Some might pan out, some might not. And if one of the three does not, the Packers will likely regret this decision.

Kristian Welch

Welch was a preseason standout for the Packers, playing well even when the team had a poor performance against the Denver Broncos, and with big plays against the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason finale. So it's understandable why the Ravens themselves picked him up to the practice squad.

"It was tough," head coach Matt LaFleur said about the decision to move on from him. "He did everything he could have possibly done. He was making plays. It showed up in every game."

The release happened because the Packers have enough depth at off-ball linebacker, having drafted Edgerrin Cooper and Ty'Ron Hopper on day 2. Eric Wilson is also a depth defender and core special teamer, so Welch became expandable. But it's still tough to part ways with good football players, and Welch obviously is one of them.

Grant DuBose

This is another of those where the move is understandable, but it's still hard to execute it. The Packers had a crazy wide receiver depth, and there was little reason to keep more than six on the 53-man roster. Green Bay went with Malik Heath, who's also a solid receiver and good special teamer.

DuBose ended up being claimed by the Miami Dolphins, a team with an extremely top-heavy receiving group. So the former seventh-round pick will have a real chance to be WR4 — or even three, behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The competitors are sixth-round rookie Malik Washington and returner Braxton Berrios.

More roster notes:

> Guard Royce Newman completes the group of former Packers’ players claimed off waivers. He goes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

> Wide receiver Samori Toure signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad.

> Quarterback Michael Pratt goes to the Buccaneers’ practice squad.

Related: QB Malik Willis has the perfect perspective after being traded to the Packers