Roster cutdown day is a mere 10 days away for the Green Bay Packers, and their second preseason game against the Denver Broncos is shaping up to be a pressure cooker for at least seven players clinging to their NFL dreams. With the clock winding down, this isn’t just another exhibition; it’s a make-or-break opportunity for guys desperate to prove they belong in the league come Week 1.
The Offensive Scramble: RBs, WRs, and O-Linemen Fighting for a Shot
Talk about a tough room! Veteran running back Pierre Strong Jr. is making a strong push, showing up first as a kick returner and second at running back in Pittsburgh during the first preseason game. Special teams coach Cam Achord clearly likes what he sees, and Strong’s experience as both a runner and a returner gives him a real shot at a roster spot. He could even land a priority spot on the practice squad as the top injury replacement. Then there’s wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant, No. 87. His natural pass-catching talent is popping off the screen in practice, but his path to the 53-man roster hinges on special teams. To force the Packers to keep seven receivers, Sturdivant absolutely needs to be a multi-unit contributor. He started strong in Pittsburgh, notching three special teams tackles. That combo of size, speed, separation talent, and special teams value could get this undrafted rookie onto the roster.
On the offensive line, Donovan Jennings has become a bit of an afterthought in the guard competition, but don’t count him out. He looked solid as a pass protector in the preseason opener, and with Travis Glover’s struggles and Darian Kinnard’s injury, Jennings might actually be on the right side of that bubble already. Keep an eye on any snaps he gets at center; showing he can play all three interior spots could lock in his Week 1 future.
Defensive Grind: Tacklers, Corners, and Safeties on the Edge
The defensive line is seeing Jonathan Ford emerge as a real contender. He’s looking more and more like a guy the Packers could trust for a handful of nose tackle snaps every single week. Against a backup center in Pittsburgh, he stuffed three run plays and has carried that momentum through the last week of practices. Ford is looking good, appearing to be ahead of Nazir Stackhouse and making a real move for a roster spot. In the secondary, Kamal Hadden is getting cross-trained in the slot and at safety, which tells you everything about the Packers’ efforts to make him a versatile option. With a slot job open behind Javon Bullard, Hadden has an excellent opportunity in front of him. This Friday night could be his first game action since that big ankle injury against the Ravens. Can he handle the physicality of playing inside? It definitely helps that the other corners at the end of the roster looked so bad in Pittsburgh; the door is wide open for Hadden. And what about safety Mark Perry? He’s a candidate for a fifth safety spot after a strong performance in Pittsburgh, where he was a solid tackler, had an excellent coverage rep on fourth down, and excelled on special teams. Keep an eye on rookie Murvin Kenion, too.
The Special Teams Showdown: A Kicker’s Best Friend and More
Finally, the unsung hero of special teams, long snapper Cal Adomitis, has a golden opportunity. Matt Orzech is still sidelined with a calf injury, giving Adomitis at least one more game to prove he’s the better choice. The longer Orzech is out, the better Adomitis’ chances are to snag that job. You know how important consistency is for the kicking operation, especially with a rookie kicker on the squad.
This Broncos game isn’t just another preseason tune-up; it’s a make-or-break moment for careers. With just one more game to go after this Denver showdown before the final cut, every snap, every tackle, every return counts. Who stays and who goes? We’ll know in 10 days, but the answers start emerging Friday night.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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