With training camp scheduled to open in late July, Packers Wire will be spending the next month attempting to predict how Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst and the Packers will construct their initial 53-man roster entering the 2020 season.
Up next is the offensive line, where the Packers return four of five starters but have intriguing depth battles ahead:
Players
David Bakhtiari
Corey Linsley
Billy Turner
Elgton Jenkins
Rick Wagner
Lane Taylor
Lucas Patrick
Cole Madison
Alex Light
John Leglue
Yosh Nijman
Cody Conway
Jon Runyan (rookie)
Jake Hanson (rookie)
Simon Stepaniak (rookie)
Travis Bruffy (rookie)
Zack Johnson (rookie)
Number kept to start 2019
Nine. The Packers traded away Justin McCray and kept four backups behind the five starters. Alex Light made the team as the swing tackle.
Roster prediction (10)
1. David Bakhtiari: The All-Pro left tackle is entering a contract year.
2. Elgton Jenkins: The second-year left guard is one of the NFL’s best young interior blockers.
3. Corey Linsley: The veteran center is reliable and steady, but like Bakhtiari, he’s also entering a contract year.
4. Billy Turner: A 16-game starter at right guard, Turner will have to beat out Lane Taylor for the job in 2020.
5. Rick Wagner: The former Raven and Lion will be the front runner to replace Bryan Bulaga at right tackle.
6. Lane Taylor: The Packers retained him for 2020 with a team-friendly restructure. He’s good enough to beat out Turner for a starting job.
7. Lucas Patrick: He can play all three interior line spots, including center, making him the ideal backup lineman.
8. Alex Light: He struggled in spot duty in 2019, but the Packers don’t have any other options with experience at offensive tackle, making him the early favorite.
9. Jon Runyan: The two-time All-Big Ten pick will transition to guard as a rookie but he could give the Packers help at offensive tackle in a pinch.
10. Jake Hanson: A four-year starter at Oregon, he could be the future at center after 2020.
Cut (7)
1. Cole Madison: He’s coming back from a major injury, and the Packers just used three draft picks on interior linemen. He needs a big summer to stick.
2. John Leglue: His positional versatility could be really attractive, especially if he proves he can play out on the edge.
3. Yosh Nijman: A potential summer surprise candidate. He’s big and athletic but might need more time before he’s ready to be the top backup at tackle.
4. Cody Conway: Time spent on the practice squad to end last season will help his chances. So will his experience at left tackle. Another year on the practice squad could be in his future.
5. Simon Stepaniak: The sixth-round pick is coming back from a significant injury. He’ll probably need time before he’s ready to contribute.
6. Travis Bruffy: He has good feet and three years of starting experience at tackle. It wouldn’t be surprising if he made a run at a roster spot during camp.
7. Zack Johnson: The Packers are deep on the interior, but Johnson could really help his chances by looking capable at right tackle. Likely practice squad candidate.
Updating roster prediction
QB (3): Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle, Jordan Love
RB (4): Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon, Tyler Ervin
WR (6): Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Devin Funchess, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Kumerow, Equanimeous St. Brown
TE (4): Marcedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger, Robert Tonyan, Josiah Deguara
OL (10): David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley, Billy Turner, Rick Wagner, Lane Taylor, Lucas Patrick, Alex Light, Jon Runyan, Jake Hanson