The Green Bay Packers 53-man roster is set for the start of the 2024 NFL season. To be sure, there are some players on it that were a surprise. There are also some players missing that many expected to be on the team.
For example, running back AJ Dillon, who has been Green Bay’s backup running back for the past three seasons, was left off due to being placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a neck injury. The same is true of tight end Tyler Davis, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL and will miss all of 2024 as well.
Other surprising cuts include safety Anthony Johnson Jr., Kristian Welch, and Anders Carlson.
The Green Bay Packers Release Their First Unofficial Depth Chart
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
On Friday, the Packers released their weekly dope sheet ahead of their Week One game against the Philadelphia Eagles, which will take place in Sao Paolo, Brazil. This 143-page document included their first unofficial depth chart of the season.
As expected, Jordan Love is the starting quarterback with the newly acquired Malik Willis listed as his backup. Brayden Narveson, another recent acquisition, is listed as the team’s starting kicker.
There are, however, a few surprises on the unofficial depth chart that many fans may find interesting.
1. Sean Rhyan Is the Starting Right Guard for the Green Bay Packers
The Packers selected Rhyan in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and it looked like he was on track to be yet another failed pick from that round for Green Bay. Previous third round busts in recent seasons include Amari Rodgers, Josiah Deguara, Jace Sternberger, Oren Burks, and Montravious Adams.
In his rookie season, Rhyan was suspended for violating the NFL rules on performance enhancing substances and appeared in just one game. He, of course, returned to the team in 2023, but only played 23% of the offensive snaps in the 12 games in which he appeared.
Over the course of the offseason, the Packers bid adieu to three offensive linemen: David Bakhtiari, Yosh Nijman, and Jon Runyan Jr. While Bakhtiari was injured for almost all of 2023 and Nijman was a swing tackle, Runyan was the starting right guard. His departure opened up a starting job on the offensive line.
Rhyan was competing for the starting right guard position against first round pick Jordan Morgan, who only played left tackle for his entire collegiate career. Morgan, however, dealt with injuries during training camp and was not able to participate as much.
And so, unofficially, Rhyan is Green Bay’s starting right guard. Interestingly, Morgan is not listed as a tackle on the depth chart at all. Instead, he is listed as both the backup left guard and right guard.
2. Green Bay Packers 2024 Third-Round Pick Marshawn Lloyd Is RB2
Obviously, Josh Jacobs is slated as Green Bay’s starting running back. He signed in free agency on a four-year $48 million deal to be the primary rushing option shortly before the team released Aaron Jones.
Due to Dillon’s injury, Emanuel Wilson and Marshawn Lloyd were added as the Packers’ two running backs behind Jacobs. One might have expected Wilson to have the second-string job because he knows the system better and has been healthy whereas Lloyd has missed time in camp due to a hip injury and then a hamstring injury.
However, the unofficial depth chart lists Lloyd as the backup behind Jacobs. After barely playing in the preseason, it will be interesting to see how long the rookie is able to hold onto the backup spot. When Dillon was a rookie, he was the third string running back behind Jones and Jamaal Williams.
It would not be all that surprising if Wilson sees more playing time than Lloyd, especially early on and if the rookie is still nursing a hamstring injury when Week One rolls around.
3. Eric Wilson Is the Green Bay Packers’ Third Starting Linebacker
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
The Packers focused on offensive linemen and safeties a great deal in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting three of each. However, they also used two of their top 100 picks on linebackers as well.
Edgerrin Cooper was taken in the second round and Ty’Ron Hopper was drafted in the third.
Neither is listed as a starting linebacker on the unofficial depth chart.
Green Bay has a new defensive coordinator this year in Jeff Hafley. He is switching the Packers’ defensive scheme from a 3-4 to a 4-3.
Currently, the starting linebackers in that scheme are Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, and Eric Wilson. Walker is a former first round pick and has started since his rookie season, so his being a starter is not surprising. McDuffie played for Hafley at Boston College and played well last season, too, so his inclusion is no shock either.
Wilson, however, only played 11% of the defensive snaps last season while being used primarily on special teams (72% of snaps).
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