Heading into the 2015 preseason, the Green Bay Packers have packed their team with talent and potential from the offseason. Unfortunately they can only keep 53 players come September 5th. This year looks to be an incredibly competitive training camp for a lot of positions including running backs, wide receiver, quarterback, and cornerback.
5. Jared Abbrederis
Abbrederis is considered a long shot to make the team because of the overall depth at the wide receiver position. Although, the Packers could keep a sixth receiver on the team because of their passing tendencies. If Abbrederis makes the final roster, from the sixth receiver spot he’ll primarily be used for special teams. The former Wisconsin Badgers receiver spent all of last season on the injured reserve after tearing his ACL during training camp practice.
4. Matt Blanchard
Another hometown hero of Wisconsin like Jared Abbrederis, Matt Blanchard has at least a small chance to make the final roster. Blanchard has been impressive in organized team activities and caught the eyes of the coaching staff.
The Packers drafted Brett Hundley in the fifth round of the draft as a project to sit under Scott Tolzien and Aaron Rodgers. If Blanchard continues his upward trend of talent we could see him gain that spot and Hundley get pushed out. Blanchard is practice squad eligible if the Packers decide not to keep him on the 53 man roster.
3. Cody Mandell
Back in 2013, the Packers brought in Giorgio Tavecchio to challenge and motivated Mason Crosby after he had a poor 2012 season. It would appear the Packers have done that again after Tim Masthay produced a below average season. Mandell had a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys last preseason after being cut. While at Alabama, Mandell produced punting averages that toppled Masthay’s numbers. We could see the end of Masthay’s rein in Green Bay coming to an end.
2. Demetri Goodson
Ted Thompson is probably still kicking himself over picking Goodson over Jumal Rolle for the final roster last year. Despite not playing and still having only raw potential, I don’t think the Packers are ready to let Goodson go just yet. Sam Shields and Casey Hayward are the only two cornerbacks who played downs with the team last year that are returning. The Packers may be looking for any kind of veteran to fill in behind them as Quentin Rollins and Damarious Randall transition to NFL life.
1. John Crockett
Maybe the biggest undrafted free agent to sign the Packers this offseason, Crockett’s chances of making the team are better than most UDFAs. Crockett’s main competition will be returning camp-on Raijon Neal as well as UDFA Alonzo Harris.
At North Dakota State University, Crockett produced three consecutive seasons with 1000 yards rushing. Last year he nearly eclipsed 2000 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. Crockett will have to bulk up and strengthen his core before he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
With James Starks entering a contract year, the Packers may be grooming Crockett to take over for Starks in the scenario that he leaves Green Bay after this season.
Kyle Engman is the Lead Packers Writer for RSEN. You can follow him on Twitter at @KyleEngmanNFL.
