WR Kawaan Baker: This move was made on Monday and was done to make room on the roster for Darian Kinnard. The Packers claimed Baker on waivers on August 13th, prior to their joint practice with Indianapolis, as they navigated several injuries at wide receiver.
G JJ Lippe: Undrafted this past April out of Northern Illinois, Lippe spent most of the training camp working along the interior with the third team offensive line unit. He played 50 snaps over the three preseason games, allowing one sack.
TE Johnny Lumpkin: In training camp, Lumpkin, along with Messiah Swinson, got opportunities as the fifth tight end on the depth chart. At 6-6 – 268 pounds, Lumpkin is a blocking-first tight end, but he had moments where he was difficult to defend in coverage with his size.
DT Devonte O’Malley: The Packers signed O’Malley late in camp on August 18th. He was added to bolster the defensive tackle depth when Keith Randolph was waived/injured.
DT James Ester: It’s a crowded tackle position for the Packers, which made Ester’s path to the 53-man an unlikely one. However, I thought he impressed this summer, particularly as a pass rusher.
WR Cornelius Johnson: This was a really good camp for Johnson, who made a lot of plays throughout the summer working with the second unit. I imagine that the Packers would like to get him back to the practice squad.
OL Trey Hill: We saw Hill working with the second offensive line unit this summer, getting work at both guard and center–although there were some snaps that got away from him. He’s another practice squad candidate.
LB Isaiah Simmons: There was the potential for Simmons to fill a niche role on defense during coverage situations and bring a unique skill set to special teams. However, the consistency–especially in the preseason games–was never there. This is a sign that Kristian Welch will be on the team. He’s a steady presence, can help on teams, and can fill in at any of the three linebacker spots.
QB Taylor Elgersma: The Packers signed Elgersma this spring, knowing he was a raw prospect, with Matt LaFleur noting at that time his arm talent. While there were some slow starts in preseason games, his overall numbers were solid. Elgersma completed 70% of his throws at 7.22 yards per attempt with a touchdown and no interceptions–although one was called back due to a penalty. However, the evaluation of Elgersma and Sean Clifford will go well beyond the stat sheet–footwork, mechanics, decision-making, and command of the offense will all be a part of the equation when it comes to deciding if either will return to the practice squad.
RB Israel Abanikanda: A later addition as the Packers navigated injuries at running back early on in camp, Abanikanda averaged 3.0 yards per rush in the preseason and caught two passes for 13 yards. LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia both praised him for his abilities as a return man. However, as I mentioned in my roster prediction, I don’t think he was ever a threat to Chris Brooks or Emanuel Wilson for a roster spot, and part of that reasoning was the need for continued development in the passing game, specifically in pass protection, an important element to playing running back in this offense.
OT Brant Banks: I thought Banks had a strong showing this summer, especially in the preseason games. Across 22 pass-blocking snaps, Banks didn’t allow a pressure. In practice, his playing time came with the third offense. I would guess he’s a practice squad candidate.
RB Tyrion Davis-Price: A very late addition to the training camp roster, Davis-Price–a third-round pick in 2022 by San Francisco–had too much ground to make up when it came to making an actual roster push. He totaled 32 rushing yards on nine carries over the final two preseason games.
WR Mecole Hardman: As I wrote in my roster prediction, Hardman may have flashed a bit this summer, but Malik Heath was by far the more consistent of the two. We also didn’t see that stability in the return game that the Packers were hoping he could provide.
OL Lecitus Smith: The addition of Smith in camp provided some reliability along the interior with the second offensive line unit. Donovan Jennings and Trey Hill each had opportunities at center in camp, but there were a number of bad snaps from both. Smith filled that role when Jacob Monk got guard snaps and then missed time.
WR Julian Hicks: Hicks finished the preseason with five receptions for 31 yards but had some yardage negated by penalties. He and Johnson were steady presences with the second and third team offenses this summer.
RB Amar Johnson: A really strong showing from the undrafted rookie. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in the preseason. But like many young running backs, continued development in the passing game will be needed.
WR Will Sheppard: Another addition that was made once training camp was underway, but credit to Sheppard for hitting the ground running. Since arriving, it felt like he made plays on offense and also got reps as a return man.
S Jaylin Simpson: Navigating injuries at safety, Simpson was signed heading into the last week of training camp and the preseason to bolster the depth at this position. He’s a versatile defender, playing both cornerback and safety in college.
TE Messiah Swinson: As mentioned with Lumpkin, Swinson saw opportunities as the fifth tight end in practice. He’s been a blocking-first presence since joining the team last offseason.
DE Deslin Alexandre: There wasn’t ever going to be room at defensive end for Alexandre on the 53-man, but he flashes relatively often during these training camp practices, whether it be getting in the backfield or swatting a pass at the line of scrimmage. Alexandre did this a lot last summer as well.
WR Isaiah Neyor: Neyor didn’t join the Packers until August 6th as the team dealt with injuries at wide receiver, but he made the most of his opportunities on the practice field. At 6-4 – 218 pounds, Neyor has that big frame the Packers covet at the receiver position. Neyor, Sheppard, Hicks, and Johnson all had their moments this summer as they were thrust into larger roles.
G JJ Lippe: Undrafted this past April out of Northern Illinois, Lippe spent most of the training camp working along the interior with the third team offensive line unit. He played 50 snaps over the three preseason games, allowing one sack.
TE Johnny Lumpkin: In training camp, Lumpkin, along with Messiah Swinson, got opportunities as the fifth tight end on the depth chart. At 6-6 – 268 pounds, Lumpkin is a blocking-first tight end, but he had moments where he was difficult to defend in coverage with his size.
DT Devonte O’Malley: The Packers signed O’Malley late in camp on August 18th. He was added to bolster the defensive tackle depth when Keith Randolph was waived/injured.
DT James Ester: It’s a crowded tackle position for the Packers, which made Ester’s path to the 53-man an unlikely one. However, I thought he impressed this summer, particularly as a pass rusher.
WR Cornelius Johnson: This was a really good camp for Johnson, who made a lot of plays throughout the summer working with the second unit. I imagine that the Packers would like to get him back to the practice squad.
OL Trey Hill: We saw Hill working with the second offensive line unit this summer, getting work at both guard and center–although there were some snaps that got away from him. He’s another practice squad candidate.
LB Isaiah Simmons: There was the potential for Simmons to fill a niche role on defense during coverage situations and bring a unique skill set to special teams. However, the consistency–especially in the preseason games–was never there. This is a sign that Kristian Welch will be on the team. He’s a steady presence, can help on teams, and can fill in at any of the three linebacker spots.
QB Taylor Elgersma: The Packers signed Elgersma this spring, knowing he was a raw prospect, with Matt LaFleur noting at that time his arm talent. While there were some slow starts in preseason games, his overall numbers were solid. Elgersma completed 70% of his throws at 7.22 yards per attempt with a touchdown and no interceptions–although one was called back due to a penalty. However, the evaluation of Elgersma and Sean Clifford will go well beyond the stat sheet–footwork, mechanics, decision-making, and command of the offense will all be a part of the equation when it comes to deciding if either will return to the practice squad.
RB Israel Abanikanda: A later addition as the Packers navigated injuries at running back early on in camp, Abanikanda averaged 3.0 yards per rush in the preseason and caught two passes for 13 yards. LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia both praised him for his abilities as a return man. However, as I mentioned in my roster prediction, I don’t think he was ever a threat to Chris Brooks or Emanuel Wilson for a roster spot, and part of that reasoning was the need for continued development in the passing game, specifically in pass protection, an important element to playing running back in this offense.
OT Brant Banks: I thought Banks had a strong showing this summer, especially in the preseason games. Across 22 pass-blocking snaps, Banks didn’t allow a pressure. In practice, his playing time came with the third offense. I would guess he’s a practice squad candidate.
RB Tyrion Davis-Price: A very late addition to the training camp roster, Davis-Price–a third-round pick in 2022 by San Francisco–had too much ground to make up when it came to making an actual roster push. He totaled 32 rushing yards on nine carries over the final two preseason games.
WR Mecole Hardman: As I wrote in my roster prediction, Hardman may have flashed a bit this summer, but Malik Heath was by far the more consistent of the two. We also didn’t see that stability in the return game that the Packers were hoping he could provide.
OL Lecitus Smith: The addition of Smith in camp provided some reliability along the interior with the second offensive line unit. Donovan Jennings and Trey Hill each had opportunities at center in camp, but there were a number of bad snaps from both. Smith filled that role when Jacob Monk got guard snaps and then missed time.
WR Julian Hicks: Hicks finished the preseason with five receptions for 31 yards but had some yardage negated by penalties. He and Johnson were steady presences with the second and third team offenses this summer.
RB Amar Johnson: A really strong showing from the undrafted rookie. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry in the preseason. But like many young running backs, continued development in the passing game will be needed.
WR Will Sheppard: Another addition that was made once training camp was underway, but credit to Sheppard for hitting the ground running. Since arriving, it felt like he made plays on offense and also got reps as a return man.
S Jaylin Simpson: Navigating injuries at safety, Simpson was signed heading into the last week of training camp and the preseason to bolster the depth at this position. He’s a versatile defender, playing both cornerback and safety in college.
TE Messiah Swinson: As mentioned with Lumpkin, Swinson saw opportunities as the fifth tight end in practice. He’s been a blocking-first presence since joining the team last offseason.
DE Deslin Alexandre: There wasn’t ever going to be room at defensive end for Alexandre on the 53-man, but he flashes relatively often during these training camp practices, whether it be getting in the backfield or swatting a pass at the line of scrimmage. Alexandre did this a lot last summer as well.
WR Isaiah Neyor: Neyor didn’t join the Packers until August 6th as the team dealt with injuries at wide receiver, but he made the most of his opportunities on the practice field. At 6-4 – 218 pounds, Neyor has that big frame the Packers covet at the receiver position. Neyor, Sheppard, Hicks, and Johnson all had their moments this summer as they were thrust into larger roles.
