clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2015 Packers 90-man roster ranking: 40-31

Acme Packing Company's countdown continues with a group of important backups and potential starters.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Acme Packing Company's annual ranking of the Green Bay Packers' 90-man roster continues today with a group of players that are not only highly likely to make the final roster, but may also compete for starting roles with the team. Some rookies can be found here, including the Packers' top three picks in this year's draft, but from here on out the selections focus mostly on veteran players.

Now, onto the selections:

40. Scott Tolzien, QB

For better or worse, the Packers plan on Scott Tolzien backing up Aaron Rodgers this season. The coaches regularly express admiration for Tolzien's inhuman work ethic, with Mike McCarthy noting that the young signal caller spent his first few weeks with the team in 2013 essentially sleeping at the facility. The hard work seemed to pay off last preseason, with Tolzien arguably outperforming Matt Flynn. Still, the former Wisconsin Badger didn't look like an NFL-caliber quarterback the last time he received extended playing time during a game that mattered. Not that the Packers hope to test his mantle during the regular season, but they won't really know what Tolzien offers until that time.

39. Ty Montgomery, WR

Perhaps the most surprising pick of Ted Thompson's latest draft class, Ty Montgomery doesn't expect to play a large role on offense unless injuries decimate Green Bay's depth. However, he might be the favorite to secure punt and/or kick return duties. Montgomery was one of the nation's best return men during his time at Stanford, and the Packers would like to reduce Randall Cobb's exposure on special teams.

38. Jeff Janis, WR

How did a future Hall of Famer end up here?

37. Carl Bradford, ILB

The free ride is over. Carl Bradford's potential (and status as a fourth-round pick) convinced the Packers to carry him on the 53 last year despite a wholly underwhelming training camp and preseason, but he needs to earn his keep this time around. The Arizona State product may not have possessed the speed or length to succeed off the edge, but he has more than enough of each for inside linebacker. While fans may not expect much from Bradford at this point, he could make the Year 2 leap Sam Barrington did a season ago.

36. Jayrone Elliott, OLB

While Bradford disappointed during the 2014 preseason, undrafted free agent Jayrone Elliott excelled. He led the team in sacks with six, earning him a spot on the 53. Elliott didn't make much of a splash on defense during the regular season, but he did carve out a role for himself on special teams, becoming one of the few strong performers on an otherwise poor unit. He'll play more special teams in 2015, but he may also see an increase in snaps at outside linebacker, especially if Clay Matthews spends more time inside.

35. JC Tretter, C/OT

2014 was a transformative year for JC Tretter, just not in the way he expected. Once tabbed as the Packers' starting center, Tretter suffered a major knee injury during the team's third preseason game. His absence opened the door for Corey Linsley who played well enough to garner an All-Pro vote. Now, Tretter will only start if someone goes down, but he's the first man up at left tackle and center.

34. Quinten Rollins, CB

When the Packers selected Quinten Rollins at the end of the second round, the Green Bay media latched on to the cornerback's meteoric rise from four-year college basketball player to Defensive Player of the Year in the MAC. Rollins' has the potential to make an immediate impact, but his limited experience in football could hold him back as well.

33. Sean Richardson, S

When the Oakland Raiders made a one-year, $2.55 million offer to Sean Richardson earlier this offseason, many concluded immediately that the Packers would let him walk. Instead, they matched the contract, and now Richardson will serve as a special teams maven and sub-package safety. The latter may not seem like much, but Dom Capers' defense works best when he can get creative with his personnel.

32. Josh Boyd, DE

Josh Boyd has steadily improved during each season since joining the Packers as a fifth-round pick in 2013. While he doesn't stand out in any one area, his well-rounded skillset and durability has earned him more snaps last season than draft classmate and first-round pick Datone Jones. Boyd and Jones will compete to be the starting left end in the base 3-4.

31. Damarious Randall, CB

Experts and fans alike scratched their heads when the Packers took Arizona State safety Damarious Randall with their first-round selection back in April. However, once it become clear that the team projected Randall as a cornerback, the pick earned fairly positive reviews. The young defensive back lined up over the slot in Tempe and started at corner before that in junior college. He's a project, certainly, but one with a very high ceiling.

Jason B. Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Company. He also serves as an SB Nation newsdesk contributor and NFL writer for Sports on Earth.