Toughest 53-man roster decisions facing Packers after first preseason game

The Green Bay Packers are done with Family Night and the preseason opener, but the roster is still taking shape, and a pair of preseason games — along with a pair of joint practices — are still ahead for coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst.

Instead of a 53-man roster prediction, an increasingly tough exercise when things are so fluid during training camp, we’ll attempt to identify where the roster still has legitimate question marks entering the Packers’ second preseason game on Sunday night in Denver.

Here are some of the toughest roster decisions facing the Packers after one preseason game:

Offense

Two quarterbacks or three? Both Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt had impressive moments in Cleveland, but it’s clear Clifford is still the clear No. 2 quarterback. Can Pratt make a move over the next two weeks, or will the Packers be willing to keep all three on the 53? Subjecting Pratt to waivers would be a risk for a team that wants to develop multiple young quarterbacks.

Does Emanuel Wilson make it? He was on the 53-man roster last year, and he opened the preseason with another solid performance (67 yards, touchdown) against the Browns. MarShawn Lloyd is dealing with a hamstring injury, and A.J. Dillon rushed four times for just two yards behind terrible blocking. Wilson could make a legitimate push for a spot.

DuBose or Heath? Barring a complete meltdown from Bo Melton, the Packers’ top five at wide receiver is set. Let’s assume the Packers will keep six. Grant DuBose, who was a star in Cleveland, might be beating out Malik Heath, who was on the 53 last year, for the final spot. In Year 2, DuBose is having a terrific summer.

Newman! Royce Newman restructured his deal for 2024, increasing his chances of making the team. But even to start Year 4, he was once again frustratingly inconsistent in the preseason opener. Time to move on?

Backup offensive tackle: Sean Rhyan and Jacob Monk look like versatile backups for the interior of the offensive line, but offensive tackle has a lot left to be decided between Andre Dillard, Caleb Jones, Kadeem Telfort and Travis Glover.

Defense

Five edge rushers? Who makes the team behind the top four defensive ends? Brenton Cox Jr. has had flashes throughout camp, but so has Arron Mosby.

Does Kristian Welch make it? The top five at linebacker looks set, assuming Edgerrin Cooper and Ty’Ron Hopper are healthy for Week 1. Is there enough room for Welch, a special teamer?

How many corners? One could argue Corey Ballentine, Robert Rochell and Kalen King all have legitimate claims to a roster spot. Ballentine started, Rochell broke up two passes and had a special teams tackle, and King made a nice tackle in the open field against the Browns. The Packers wouldn’t keep seven cornerbacks, would they?

Special teams

Carlson or Joseph: Anders Carlson is the draft pick, but Greg Joseph has been the better on-field kicker this summer. This competition will likely take all summer to determine a winner.

Change at long snapper? Matt Orzech is still battling some consistency issues, but Peter Bowden — a rookie out of Wisconsin — hasn’t looked ready to take over.