Green Bay Packers release unofficial depth chart
The Green Bay Packers on Tuesday released their 53-man roster for the 2021 regular season, just hours before the NFL’s roster deadline.
The Packers returned 20 of 22 preferred starters from the 2020 season. Notably, the organization announced that left tackle David Bakhtiari will begin the year on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn left ACL suffered in late December 2020. Tight end Jace Sternberger won’t count on the roster until Week 3 because of his two-game suspension.
The Packers added to their 53-man roster with an unofficial depth chart ahead of their season opener on Sept. 12.
Here’s a look at the Packers’ depth chart and who’s slated to start against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
Starting Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
No surprise here. The 2020 NFL MVP had quite an eventful offseason; for a while, it looked like Rodgers might become the first-ever NFL MVP to start the season after his MVP campaign on a new roster. But ultimately, after requesting trades and holding out, Rodgers decided to return to Green Bay.
Starting Running Back: Aaron Jones
Again, no surprise. Jones had an extremely productive 2020 season, following a 2019 campaign in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards. He repeated it in 2020, tallying 1,104 yards, nine rushing touchdowns, plus another 355 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Starting Wide Receivers: Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, Malik Taylor
The Packers drafted Amari Rodgers in the 2020 NFL Draft from Clemson and Randall Cobb is back on the roster after Cobb spent two seasons in Texas, one in Dallas and one in Houston. Neither will be a primary option, though; Davante Adams will remain Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target, just one year after racking up 1,374 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns.
Starting Tight Ends: Robert Tonyan
Robert Tonyan figures to be the only Packers tight end to play a significant role in the receiving game. Tonyan reeled in 11 touchdowns last season.
Starting Offensive Linemen: David Bakhtiari (LT), Elgton Jenkins (LG), Josh Myers (C), Lucas Patrick (RG), Billy Turner (RT)
Starting Defensive Linemen: Dean Lowry (DE), Kingsley Keke (DE), Kenny Clark (NT), T.J. Slaton (NT)
Starting Linebackers: Preston Smith (OLB), Krys Barnes (ILB), De’Vondre Campbell (ILB)
Starting linebacker Za’Darius Smith is battling a back injury and still could miss the opener. Krys Barnes led all linebackers with 80 total tackles last season and will figure to continue carrying the bulk of the defense’s production.
Starting Cornerbacks: Jaire Alexander, Kevin King
Jaire Alexander, 23, and Kevin King, 25, both return tons of production in the Packers’ secondary. Although King missed some time with an injury, he still logged 57 tackles in 11 games; Alexander, on the other hand, had 51 tackles in 15 games.
Starting Safeties: Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage
Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage Jr. led the team in tackles last year with 83 and 75, respectively, and they added a total of six interceptions. Savage played in all but one regular-season game, and Amos played in all 16 — if the Packers secondary has a productive season, it will likely be because of this duo’s production.
Starting Specialists: Mason Crosby (K)
The Packers will have Mason Crosby kicking field goals once again this year, but their punter has not yet been named. After releasing punter JK Scott and trading for former Rams punter Corey Bojorquez, it appears Bojorquez will take over starting duties. Green Bay has yet to confirm the news, however, and Bojorquez is not listed on their depth cahrt.