The names started trickling across social media by mid-morning, by late afternoon, they were coming fast and furious and by just after 5:00 PM, two hours past the NFL’s deadline, the Green Bay Packers officially announced the moves that resulted in the initial 53 man roster for 2021.
The list of those that survived the cut include another terrific, undrafted rookie free agent. Among the cuts were three recent draft picks and General Manager Brian Gutekunst threw in a trade for good measure, for a new punter no less.
J.K. Scott
Former 6th round pick J.K. Scott of Alabama never found the fountain of consistency in his first three NFL seasons and the team grew tired of waiting. Gutekunst sent a 6th round pick in 2023 to the Los Angeles Rams for 4th year veteran Corey Bojorquez and a 2023 7th round pick in return. Bojorquez spent three years with the Buffalo Bills, averaging 50.8 yards gross and 44 yards net on 41 punts last season. He signed with the Rams in the off-season but couldn’t beat out incumbent Johnny Hekker despite hitting 7 punts in the pre-season with a 51.9 yard average both gross and net. In the official team release, Bojorquez isn’t included, presumably he’ll have to pass a physical upon his arrival before the deal is completed.
Scott wasn’t the only 2018 pick cut loose. Wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown from Notre Dame couldn’t shake a litany of injuries that plagued his entire stay in Green Bay. 2019 6th rounder, another Fighting Irish, running back Dexter Williams was also released.
So too was the sentimental 6th round pick this year, offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen, the Green Bay product from Bay Port High School and the University of Wisconsin.
Two veterans were placed on reserve lists. All Pro offensive tackle David Bakhtiari was moved to the Physically Unable to Perform List. Still recovering from ACL surgery in January, Bakhtiari will not be eligible to play until after week six of the regular season. That would put his return for the Washington game at Lambeau Field on October 24. Tight end Jace Sternberger was also placed on the Reserve/Suspended list, handed a two game suspension for violating NFL substance policies earlier this summer.
Other notable cuts were quarterback Kurt Benkert who had a solid showing in the three pre-season games, Kabion Ento, the former college receiver turned defensive back who had an interception against Houston and wide receiver Reggie Begelton.
The rest of the players who were placed on waivers:
OG Ben Braden, CB Stephen Denmark, S Innis Gaines, OLB Tipa Galeai, K J.J. Molson, DL Willington Previllon, RB Patrick Taylor, S Christian Uphoff, WR Juwann Winfree, LB Ray Wilborn, DL Abdullah Anderson, OL Jacob Capra, OL Coy Cronk, CB Rajesterman Farris, WR Damon Hazelton, TE Bronson Kafusi, DL Carlo Kemp, OLD Delontae Scott, LB DeJon Harris.
So now, here’s the initial 53 man roster.
Quarterbacks (2) Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love
Running Backs (3) Aaron Jones, A.J. Dillon, Kylin Hill
Wide Receivers (6) Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, Malik Taylor, Amari Rodgers
Tight Ends (4) Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Josiah Deguara, Dominic Dafney
Offensive Line (9) Elgton Jenkins, Billy Turner, Lucas Patrick, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, Jon Runyan, Dennis Kelly, Yosh Nijman, Jake Hanson
Defensive Line (6) Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, Kingsley Keke, Tyler Lancaster, T.J. Slaton, Jack Heflin
Outside Linebackers (5) Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Rashan Gary, Jonathan Garvin, Chauncey Rivers
Inside Linebackers (5) Krys Barnes, De’Vondre Campbell, Oren Burks, Ty Summers, Isaiah McDuffie
Cornerbacks (6) Jaire Alexander, Kevin King, Eric Stokes, Chandon Sullivan, Shemar Jean-Charles, Issac Yiadom
Safeties (4) Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, Vernon Scott, Henry Black
Specialists (3) Mason Crosby, Hunter Bradley, Corey Bojorquez
Some notes on the 53, two established veterans, Cobb with his return and Kelly’s arrival from Tennessee add stability to young backups. 8 of the 9 2021 draft picks made the club and one for sure, maybe two will start the season on the offensive line in Myers and Newman.
The best feel good story on the team is Helfin, the overlooked defensive lineman from Iowa who simply over-worked perhaps everyone on the roster to land a spot. He only received three walk on letters coming out of high school. He attended Northern Illinois but transferred to Iowa, his college dream with no promises and made it there. He’s done it again to make it to the NFL. More impressive is the fact that Heflin becomes the 10th, undrafted free agent on this year’s Packer team, joining the likes of Tonyan, Lazard, Dafney, Nijman, Lancaster, Sullivan, Barnes, Black and another extreme long shot when camp began, outside linebacker Chauncey Rivers.
Many of the players released may return to the team on Wednesday. After the 24 hour waiver claim period expires, teams can start signing players to their 16 player practice squad. It’s the second straight year the squad has a 16 player limit with unlimited flexibility in bringing players on and off game day rosters.
