Recently, fellow Pack to the Future writer Thane Goetz projected what the 53 man roster would look like for the Green Bay Packers for their season opener. Personally, there we were particularly interested in who Thane had projected at the wide receiver position. The wide receiver position has been one of the Packers strong points in recent history. But this off-season, the Packers parted ways with veteran Jordy Nelson and selected three wide receivers in this year’s NFL draft. With Nelson gone and three drafted rookies added, this position is going to look a lot different than in years past. We were prepared to make some counter points to Thane’s projections. But as I reviewed his wide receiver projections, we found ourselves in agreement with who he had making the Packers roster.

With being in agreement with Thane’s projections, we thought it would be good to highlight some of the projections and why we believe he is correct in what he is projecting.

The Obvious

Davante Adams and Randall Cobb are the Packers top two wide receivers. Not only are they listed as the number one and two wide receivers, they are also favorites of Aaron Rodgers. Adams has made himself into one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. While Cobb’s numbers have declined since 2014, as well as battled injuries since then, Cobb is still the Packers top slot receiver.

The next wide receiver closest to being a lock to make the Packers opening 53 man roster is Geronimo Allison. Allison, a once undrafted free agent, has made himself into a contributor in the Packers passing game. It looks like Allison will be the number three wide receiver behind Adams and Cobb going into this season.

The Rookies

Unless you are Randy Moss or Julio Jones, contributing as a rookie wide receiver is a very difficult thing. But the Packers are going to need for one or more of their three drafted rookies to contribute this season. J’Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Equanimeous St. Brown were selected in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds in this past NFL draft. All three wide receivers have the size and athletic ability to become solid receivers in the NFL. But those attributes aren’t a guarantee that they will be successful in the NFL. That was pointed out recently by Rodgers.

So far in training camp, Valdes-Scantling has been the most successful. After Rodgers voiced his displeasure in his rookie wide receivers, Valdes-Scantling stepped up his game. In the Packers opening preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Valdes-Scantling had over 100 yards receiving. It appears that he has the most potential of the three wide receivers. He has also seen some time at kick returner, which will help his chances in making the roster.

Although St. Brown hasn’t contributed to Valdes-Scantling’s level, he has shown some glimpses. The tallest of the three rookies, St. Brown gives the Packers a big target on the outside.

So far in camp, Moore has been quietest of the three. Reports had him start out hot in camp, but so far in the Packers first two preseason games, he hasn’t done much. Still, it is hard to see Moore being on the bubble. The Packers spent a fourth round pick on the Missouri product, which will give him more time to develop.

If Nelson was still with the Packers, it could be argued that one of these three rookies might be in danger of being cut. But with Nelson gone and the attributes all three possess, it is hard to see Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst giving up on any of them so early.

The Surprise

When training camp started, the chances of Jake Kumerow making the Packers roster seemed slim, at best. But the former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater product has made quite an impression on the Packers in this year’s training camp.

Kumerow, who had spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals and on the New England Patriots practice squad prior to joining the Packers, has made his mark by showing a strong work ethic. That work ethic has caught the eye of Aaron Rodgers. Kumerow hasn’t just been stellar in practice, but has shown it in preseason action as well. He leads the Packers with 190 yards receiving so far this preseason.

While the Packers have former draft picks at the wide receiver position, it is Kumerow that has shown he belongs on the Packers roster.

Former Draft Picks

Gutekunst learned a lot from former general manager Ted Thompson. But that doesn’t mean that he isn’t his own man and that he has loyalty to Thompson’s former draft picks. Thompson selected DeAngelo Yancey in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. Yancey hasn’t lived up to where Thompson selected him. Last season, he was cut in the final cut downs and spent last season on the Packers practice squad. So far this year in training camp, Yancey hasn’t done much to stand out either. Without making a mark in the passing game or being a contributor on special teams, it is highly doubtful that Yancey will make this year’s opening roster one again.

Yancey isn’t the only Thompson draft pick that we feel will be cut loose. Although Trevor Davis made his mark as the Packers kickoff and punt returner last season, he hasn’t progressed as a pass catcher. Blessed with upper echelon speed, Davis has yet to show the ability as a pass catcher.

He hasn’t helped himself this training camp as well. Because of an injury, Davis has yet to play in the Packers two preseason games. With the clock ticking, Davis will be pressed to show Gutekunst and the Packers he is worth a spot on the roster. Many will argue that his ability as a returner should get him on the roster. But we feel that the Packers could go with Valdes-Scantling as the primary kick returner and either Quinten Rollins or possibly top draft pick Jaire Alexander as the primary punt returner.