It’s happened before and it looks like it could happen again. The Green Bay Packers keeping seven receivers on their 53-man roster.
Here’s what we are sure of. Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb will get roster spots, barring a trade of Cobb, which may or may not be on the table. Then you have the young receiver conundrum. The Packers just drafted three guys — J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown. Throw in Jake Kumerow, who has outperformed everyone, and Trevor Davis, who is the team’s top return man, and you have what I suppose is a good problem.
First, even if the Packers do keep seven receivers, someone capable is going to be out.
Davis, who has been injured and hasn’t shown anything as a receiver, would be the logical cut. However, then there’s a major question about who your return man is.
Despite his impressive play and the endorsement of Aaron Rodgers, you can’t think Kumerow is a lock at this point. He hasn’t made an opening-day roster in three seasons in the league. The Packers may look at upside and determine that their rookies have more.
As for the rookies, Moore has likely shown the least, but he’s also the highest draft pick of the three. With these guys it’s going to come down to risk and potential.
The Packers obviously think they have potential, which likely gives all three of them an edge over Kumerow. On the flip side, Kumerow is obviously more ready to contribute now. So can or will the Packers risk cutting any of these guys with the hope of getting them back on the practice squad?
That’s not unprecedented. The team released the two receivers they drafted last year — DeAngelo Yancey and Malachi Dupre. Yancey spent the season on the practice squad and Dupre decided to join the Bills’ practice squad.
It’s going to be a tough call, regardless.
First, do you keep seven? Second, who do you get rid of?