3 veterans the Green Bay Packers could cut because of NFL Draft
After adding some talent in the NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers could part ways with these three veterans rather quickly.
The headlines around the Green Bay Packers during the 2021 NFL Draft centered on the discontent of quarterback Aaron Rodgers coming to light. The team’s overall draft strategy took a backseat, even as they added some solid talent.
The Packers actually drafted a wide receiver this year, albeit not until the third round. They drafted center Corey Linsley’s replacement in Ohio State’s Josh Myers, among three offensive lineman they selected. Their nine picks were comprised of five offensive players, and four defensive players covering all three levels of that side of the ball.
Rodgers’ future is the shadow hanging over the Packers right now, and it will be that way until he reverses course, he’s traded or he retires. But they have to have some focus on how the rest of the roster will look, and the incoming rookie class will have a chance to push some veterans out of the picture.
Some veterans should feel like they were put on notice by the Packers’ draft choices. It’s a question of if said veterans are allowed to compete for jobs and roster spots, or if they’ll just be gone in short order.
In particular, the Packers could easily cut these three veterans as they take stock of what they did in the 2021 draft.
3 veterans the Packers could cut after the NFL Draft
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. RB, Packers. . Dexter Williams. 3. 49
The Packers drafted Williams in the sixth round of the 2019 draft out of Notre Dame. Sitting well down the depth chart and on the practice squad, he had played just seven games over two seasons with a total of seven carries for 19 yards. He has played more special teams snaps (62) than offensive snaps (17) when has been active on a game day.
With their final draft pick, No. 256 overall in the seventh round, the Packers took Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill. As a junior in 2019, he finished third in the SEC in rushing (1,350 yards) on a conference-leading 242 carries while also averaging 10 yards per reception. Last year was a lost year under new Bulldogs’ head coach Mike Lynch, as Hill was a poor fit. He played just three games and was suspended for one game before opting out of the rest of the season.
Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are the Packers top two running backs after Jamaal Williams’ departure in free agency. The candidates to be No. 3 on the depth chart are led by Hill and Dexter Williams. It’s not like Williams has had much opportunity, but he also hasn’t done much to show he should stick in a possible larger role. The new guy, Hill, should get priority in any battle for a roster spot. But it may not even get to June minicamp.