The Packers are coming off their first win of the preseason, 27-13 over the Bengals, their best overall performance by far. The starters on both sides of the ball looked good. The No. 1 offense rode an impressive ground game to 17 first-half points, while the No. 1 defense held Cincinnati to a pair of field goals and just one conversion on six third downs.
But when quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Charles Woodson and the rest of the starters departed at halftime, things weren’t so pretty. Green Bay’s lack of quality depth at quarterback and offensive line was exposed, and the backups produced just a field goal in the second half. The defensive replacements were better, though there are still unanswered questions on that side of the ball. There are two wide-open position battles on defense, at cornerback and strong safety, and no one stood out at either of those spots Thursday. Several players are also in the mix for backup roles.
Throughout the preseason, Rapid Reports analyzes the ever-changing roster situation and brings you the latest predictions on which players will survive the cuts to be one of the Packers’ final 53.
Stock rising: LB Dezman Moses. An undrafted rookie transitioning from defensive end at Tulane, Moses’ stock was sky-high in minicamp and early in August, as he flew around and showcased raw pass-rushing ability. His stock leveled off a bit as training camp wore on, but on Thursday it shot back up as he secured a roster spot. Moses was extremely active, leading the team with four tackles, including a stop for a two-yard loss. He practically lived in the Bengals’ backfield, notching a big quarterback hit and knocking down a third-quarter pass at the line of scrimmage. He’ll be the third undrafted outside linebacker to make this team in the past two seasons.
Stock falling: WR Diondre Borel. For the last year, Borel has been in a two-man competition with fellow 2011 undrafted wideout Tori Gurley, with both trying to convince the Packers to keep six receivers and prove he deserves the spot. A converted college quarterback with quickness and savvy, Borel hurt his stock with two third-down drops at Cincinnati. Both would’ve gone for first downs and helped the floundering backup offense develop some rhythm. Gurley didn’t do anything special, catching the only pass thrown to him for six yards.
QB – In: (2) Aaron Rodgers, someone else. Out: Graham Harrell, B.J. Coleman. Analysis: Harrell’s poor performance Thursday (5 for 12 for 26 yards) was partially the product of shoddy offensive line and wide receiver play. Still, he wasn’t good enough. After the game, coach Mike McCarthy lauded Harrell’s scrambling and game management, but said nothing of the quarterback’s passing ability. He’s had the public backing of the entire organization so far, but his time has run out. The Packers need to look outside the organization for a backup. Coleman’s a strong practice squad candidate.
RB – In: (4) Cedric Benson, Alex Green, Brandon Saine, John Kuhn. Out: James Starks, Marc Tyler, Du’ane Bennett, Nic Cooper, Jon Hoese. Analysis: Signed less than two weeks ago to a nonguaranteed contract, Benson didn’t just win a roster spot on Thursday, he won the starting job. Green, still on a snap count as his reconstructed knee gets stronger, has big potential. Coaches love Saine’s smarts and speed, and the steady Kuhn is the fullback lock. Starks, oft-injured and inconsistent, is out indefinitely with turf toe and isn’t worth waiting around on anymore.
WR – In: (6) Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, Tori Gurley. Out: Diondre Borel, Jarrett Boykin, Dale Moss, Curenski Gilleylen, Shaky Smithson, Andrew Brewer. Analysis: The top five have always been set, no matter what anyone says about Driver’s age. Gurley (6-foot-4, 232 pounds) gets the nod over Borel (6-0, 198) because of his size. The Packers already have four quick, 6-0, 200-pound receivers; Gurley gives them an added dimension, a big weapon in the red zone. Boykin has glue hands and doesn’t deserve to be cut. Neither Borel nor Boykin will make it to the Packers practice squad, but Moss or Gilleylen might.
TE – In: (4) Jermichael Finley, Tom Crabtree, D.J. Williams, Ryan Taylor. Out: Andrew Quarless, Brandon Bostick, DeMarco Cosby. Analysis: Crabtree showed in the Bengals game why he’s valuable: blocking and improved hands. Williams is a gifted receiver, while Taylor is a tough, jack-of-all-trades guy who excels on special teams. Quarless, coming off major knee surgery, will be on the PUP list. Bostick and Cosby could be in the first cut-down on Monday.
OL – In: (9) Marshall Newhouse, T.J. Lang, Jeff Saturday, Josh Sitton, Bryan Bulaga, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Reggie Wells, Andrew Datko, someone else. Out: Derek Sherrod, Herb Taylor, Shea Allard, Don Barclay, Ray Dominguez, Tommie Draheim, Sampson Genus, Greg Van Roten. Analysis: The starting five is set, which is nice. But after that, and besides Evan Dietrich-Smith, who backs up all three interior line spots, it’s a mess. Wells, who has started 91 NFL games, should get his feet back under him soon. Datko, despite a bum shoulder, makes it but needs to get stronger. The Packers will almost surely pilfer a veteran from some other team to shore up the second unit. Sherrod will begin the season on PUP. The rest, as evidenced by Thursday's flogging, might not even be practice-squad worthy.
DL – In: (6) B.J. Raji, Ryan Pickett, Jerel Worthy, Mike Daniels, C.J. Wilson, Daniel Muir. Out: Mike Neal, Anthony Hargrove, Phillip Merling, Jarius Wynn, Lawrence Guy, Johnny Jones. Analysis: The first four are locks, Wilson’s a solid run defender and Muir’s energy and intensity are invaluable. Merling and Wynn haven’t shown enough as pass rushers. When Neal (four games) and Hargrove (eight games) return from their suspensions, Green Bay will have to evaluate this group again and decide if either player would be an upgrade. More than likely, Neal will be back.
LB – In: (9) Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, A.J. Hawk, D.J. Smith, Robert Francois, Dezman Moses, Jamari Lattimore, Brad Jones, Terrell Manning. Out: Erik Walden, Desmond Bishop, Vic So’oto, Frank Zombo. Analysis: The starters are set, with the dependable Smith replacing Bishop, whose hamstring injury likely has him going on IR. Francois has proved his worth on special teams. Moses is the latest raw, undrafted project; Lattimore, undrafted last year, is a special teams maven. He’s also made a nice transition to ILB and returned an interception for a touchdown against the Bengals. The versatile Jones and the fifth-round rookie Manning both tentatively make the 53-man roster, but either could be cut when Walden returns from his one-game suspension. So’oto doesn’t contribute on special teams and Zombo, who hasn’t passed his physical due to a hamstring injury, could be PUP-bound or simply released.
DB – In: (10) Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, Davon House, Jarrett Bush, Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Morgan Burnett, Jerron McMillian, M.D. Jennings, Anthony Levine. Out: Otis Merrill, Brandian Ross, Dion Turner, Sean Richardson, Micah Pellerin. Analysis: House, frontrunner for the No. 2 cornerback job, was excellent before injuring his shoulder. An evaluation is forthcoming to see if he can play through it or needs surgery. Among the others competing for the spot – Bush, Shields and rookie Hayward – no one has really stood out. McMillian, Jennings and Levine are still in competition for the strong safety position in the oft-used nickel defense. McMillian is a big-hitting run defender; Jennings, who hasn’t done enough with his opportunities, and Levine, well-liked by coaches, are both better in pass coverage. Merrill and Richardson would be good for the practice squad.
Special teams – In: (3) Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay, Brett Goode. Out: No one. Analysis: No moves to make here. All three are solid, safe and sound.
Follow Packers reporter James Carlton on Twitter: @CBSSportsNFLGB and @jimmycarlton88
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