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Now that the Green Bay Packers have wrapped up the 2017 NFL Draft and rookie minicamp, the team has finalized its 90-man roster heading into the start of OTAs. The Acme Packing Company writing staff has ranked the players in terms of the players’ overall talent levels and likelihoods to make an impact in Green Bay. We will present the single compiled ranking set to you over the next two weeks.
No. 70: TE Beau Sandland
After spending the first half of 2016 on the Carolina Panthers' practice squad, tight end Beau Sandland surfaced in Green Bay as a developmental player. He appeared better positioned to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster before general manager Ted Thompson signed Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, though Sandland could still nip at the heels of fourth-year man Richard Rodgers.
No. 69: RB William Stanback
William Stanback became a late addition to the 90-man roster after successfully trying out for the Packers during rookie minicamp. Stanback technically hails from Virginia Union, though he began his career at Central Florida. While that pedigree and solid workout numbers from his pro day suggest he can develop into a capable tailback, he must unseat one and potentially multiple of the running backs the team drafted in April.
No. 68: QB Taysom Hill
Age, a wonky delivery, and a long injury history work against Taysom Hill, but he has a relatively uncluttered path to a spot on the final roster or practice squad. Only Aaron Rodgers and Brett Hundley hold firm roster spots in Green Bay, and Joe Callahan remains a long-term project at best. If Hill shows decent command of the offense and can flash the athleticism that made him a star at BYU, he could steal a job in 2017.
No. 66 (tie): OL Justin McCray
Justin McCray's name should seem familiar despite first joining the Packers in March. His twin brother, Jordan, spent time with the team during the 2014 offseason and also plays on the offensive line. The "new" McCray has yet to appear in a regular-season game, but he spent over a year with the Tennessee Titans.
No. 66 (tie): ILB Cody Heiman
One of the most intriguing undrafted free agents in the Packers' 2017 rookie class, Cody Heiman tested at an elite level for a linebacker during his pro day. The team hopes that his athleticism can help bridge the gap between Division II Washburn. If Heiman displays an aptitude for the position during training camp and the preseason, he has a realistic shot at a job on the 53-man roster or practice squad.
No. 65: S Jermaine Whitehead
Jermaine Whitehead bounced between the practice squad and the roster in 2016, making little positive impact during his occasional regular-season snaps. Certainly, he appeared to trail behind fellow rookie safeties Kentrell Brice and Marwin Evans in the pecking order. Whitehead does possess decent size and athleticism, however. If he takes the necessarily strides and gets a few breaks, he could stick around again this season.
No. 64: FB Joe Kerridge
The Packers carried two fullbacks on their active roster for a stretch last year. While Aaron Ripkowski handled most of the offensive workload, Joe Kerridge made his bones on special teams. That appears to be Kerridge's best path to a roster spot again this time around, though the influx of tight ends via free agency casts some doubt on his chances.
No. 63: CB Herb Waters
The Packers love undrafted University of Miami cornerbacks, with both Sam Shields and LaDarius Gunter becoming starters in Dom Capers' defense (albeit to varying degrees of success). Herb Waters played as a wide receiver during his time in Coral Gables, Fla., but the Packers thought enough of his physical toolset that they gave him what amounts to a year-long redshirt. Waters cannot wait any longer to earn his keep. He must either produce this preseason or receive a ticket out of town.
No. 61 (tie): RB Devante Mays
With their penultimate pick, the Packers made Devante Mays their third running back in the draft class. While he delivered solid production at Utah State -- 202 carries for 1,225 yards and 12 touchdowns over 18 games -- he faces an uphill battle for a roster spot. Ty Montgomery appears entrenched as the starter with fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams the likely chance-of-pace runner and fifth-rounder Aaron Jones most likely serving as the top reserve scatback. Mays does supply size and power that no non-fullback member of the backfield possesses, but he might need more to make the final cut.
No. 61 (tie): OL Jacob Flores
A holdover from the practice squad, Jacob Flores has almost exclusively worked at center during his time in Green Bay. The Packers need a new backup to Corey Linsley due to JC Tretter's departure, but they rarely use a roster spot on a reserve offensive lineman that only plays one spot along the interior. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Flores either has to convince the team he has starting potential or hold his own at guard.