5 Veteran Candidates Facing Offseason Cuts

It’s a busy time of year for the Green Bay Packers and their fans. We are a little past a week since the 2018 draft, and there is speculation that cuts will be made soon to shave off unneeded parts of the roster.

The first cut that could and is likely to happen is conerback, Demetri Goodson. The Packers are currently carrying nine cornerbacks on their roster as a result of drafting Jaire Alexander and Joshua Jackson. While that’s good for their depth at the top of their position, it means people who originally could’ve or have made the roster in the past are likely in trouble this time around. As is the case with Goodson.

Goodson was taken in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and technically should’ve been a free agent by now. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury in November of 2016 and missed over a year of football which means his contract “tolls” for another season. Thus, he’s eligible to play one more season for Green Bay under his rookie contract.

Unless he’s released which is the case in this scenario. Given the talent on the roster and the fact he hasn’t played since 2016, Goodson has an uphill battle to climb. A battle he ends up losing.

Michael Clark is next on the list of possible cuts. At 6-foot-6, Clark ran a 4.53 40-yard dash time which are the measurables that catch most peoples attention. Unfortunately, he is a long shot to make the roster with Davante Adams, Randal Cobb, Geronimo Allison and the three 2018 rookies ahead of him on the roster.

Next up is another wide receiver, Trevor Davis. After being selected out of the University of California in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, Davis’ stay with the Packers is going to be a short one. The speedster hasn’t proven to be reliable and has questionable hands at best. In two seasons with Green Bay, he’s only caught eight balls for 94 yards and one touchdown.

His job as the team’s primary punt and kick returner is also in jeopardy with the addition of Alexander. Fortunately, that might end his time fair-catching punts inside the 10-yard line.

Brett Hundley is also among possible cut candidates. If that’s the case, look for Hundley to get cut at the end of the preseason. Historically, Mike McCarthy only prefers to take two quarterbacks into the regular season. That allows him to carry an extra wide receiver or cornerback which is especially important this season.

Even though the Packers also released Joe Callahan, look for them to bring him (or another quarterback) back to the practice squad so they can keep another thrower under their wing.

Davon House rounds off the list of possible cuts. If healthy Kevin King figures to man an outside corner position full time with some combination of Tramon Williams and Joshua Jackson holding down the other spot. Jaire Alexander will likely slide into the slot with the odd man out of Williams and Jackson, creating a formidable four-man rotation.

Even after them, Quinten Rollins, the former second-round pick, could look to earn some reps along with Lenzy Pipkins, Herb Waters and Josh Hawkins. House is likely more talented than all four, but they contribute on special teams and could be seen as up-and-coming players. That’s not even mentioning the unique abilities of Joshua Jackson and Oren Burks. The two figure to spend at least part of their time covering backs and tight ends out of the slot and backfield.

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