The Green Bay Packers had some really difficult decisions to make with their roster during cutdown day. While they would have loved to retain everyone, that isn’t realistic as the NFL, at the end of the day, is a business.
Just as it is with every team in the NFL, the Packers made some moves that will surprise some people. One of the more surprising decisions was to waive tight end Austin Allen. After the season-ending injury suffered by Tyler Davis in the preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, Allen was provided an opportunity to move up the depth chart and seize a roster spot.
Instead, the Packers released him, which leaves only two tight ends on the roster; rookies Luke Musgrave and Tyler Kraft. Josiah Deguara, who is listed as a fullback on the depth chart, is certainly capable of playing snaps at tight end if need be. But, it wouldn’t be surprising if Allen was brought back on the practice squad and taxied between the 53-man roster and practice squad depending on the matchup that week.
The release of wide receiver Grant DuBose is also a bit surprising. The Packers normally do everything they can to keep draft picks on the 53-man roster, but there just wasn’t any room at the position on the depth chart. The only other draft pick to not make the team was fellow seventh-rouned Lew Nichols, who was waived/injured.
That can likely be attributed to undrafted free agent Malik Heath making the roster. Heath was excellent all offseason and certainly earned his spot on the team. DuBose started camp a little late after opening on the NFI List and was ultimately too deep of a hole to climb out of.
Last but not least, the release of running back Patrick Taylor is a bit surprising. Taylor looked to have the No. 3 running back spot locked up behind Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon entering training camp. However, he was outplayed by undrafted rookie Emanuel Wilson during the preseason.
Wilson has a long way to go in developing in the passing game and special teamer, but his running prowess was too much to ignore. Taylor’s impact on special teams was expected to be what pushed him to a roster spot, but ultimately, the Packers went in a different direction. Wilson will now be groomed and developed along with Heath and pass rusher Brenton Cox Jr., the three undrafted free agents to make the team this year.
