GREEN BAY – The Packers and the NFL's other 31 clubs must all trim their rosters to 53 players by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday.
Here's a look at how Green Bay has gone about assembling its active roster over the past 12 years, dating back to when the Packers made the switch from a 4-3 defense to 3-4 in 2009.
For consistency, the statistical totals and averages reflect players who appeared on the Packers' Week 1 rosters.
Quarterback
Average: 2.64
Most: Three (five times, 2020 most recent)
Fewest: Two (seven times, 2019 most recent)
Undrafted rookies: Two (Tim Boyle, 2018; Joe Callahan, 2016)
Noteworthy: The Packers went five consecutive years with just two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster (2009-13) before reverting back to three QBs from 2014-16. They've since alternated between two and three QBs over the past four years.
Running back/fullback
Average: 4.42
Most: Six (2009)
Fewest: Three (2018)
Undrafted rookies: Two (Jhurell Pressley, 2016; Alonzo Harris, 2015)
Noteworthy: During their Super Bowl XLV season, the Packers actually started the regular season with more fullbacks (John Kuhn, Korey Hall and Quinn Johnson) on the 53-man roster than traditional running backs (Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson). That was partly due to rookie James Starks starting the year on the physically unable to perform list. The 2018 season signaled a shift in Green Bay's backfield when the team released Aaron Ripkowski and chose to proceed without a fullback.
Receiver
Average: 5.58
Most: Seven (2019, 2018, 2016)
Fewest: Five (eight times, 2020 most recent)
Undrafted rookies: Two (Darrius Shepherd, 2019; Jarrett Boykin, 2012)
Noteworthy: Contrary to popular belief, the Packers have carried seven receivers on their Week 1 roster three times over the past five seasons. In 2018, Green Bay kept eight receivers on its initial 53. Receiver Jake Kumerow was placed on injured reserve days later, allowing him to be designated to return later that season.
Tight end
Average: 3.67
Most: Five (2011)
Fewest: Three (five times, 2019 most recent)
Undrafted rookies: Zero
Noteworthy: The Packers entered the 2011 season with five tight ends after drafting both D.J. Williams (fifth round) and Ryan Taylor (seventh round). Green Bay also returned Jermichael Finley, Andrew Quarless and Tom Crabtree that season. Coincidentally, it's the only position Green Bay has not had an undrafted rookie make the initial 53 over the past 20 years.
Offensive line
Average: 8.58
Most: Ten (2010)
Fewest: Seven (2012)
Undrafted rookies: Five (Alex Light, 2018; Lane Taylor, 2013; Don Barclay, 2012; Nick McDonald, 2010; Evan Smith, 2009)
Noteworthy: Green Bay has carried nine offensive linemen on its Week 1 roster in each of the past four seasons and five of the last six. It's also a position where the Packers have had a great deal of success with unearthing undrafted rookies. Two of their best, Taylor and Smith, combined to play in 198 regular-season games with 103 starts.
Defensive line
Average: 5.75
Most: Seven (2013, 2010)
Fewest: Five (five times, 2020 most recent)
Undrafted rookies: One (Mike Pennel, 2014)
Noteworthy: Johnny Jolly overcame long odds to resume his NFL career after a three-year hiatus in 2013, resulting in one of the largest defensive line rooms the Packers touted in the 21st century (Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Mike Daniels, C.J. Wilson, Datone Jones, Josh Boyd and Jolly). The evolution of NFL edge rushers has slightly impacted the number of defensive linemen Green Bay has kept on its initial 53 over the years. Green Bay has proceeded with five defensive linemen five times over the last seven seasons.
Outside linebacker
Average: 5.0
Most: Seven (2014)
Fewest: Four (2019, 2018, 2012, 2010)
Undrafted rookies: Seven (Chris Odom, 2017; Jayrone Elliott, 2014; Andy Mulumba, 2013; Dezman Moses, 2012; Vic So'oto and Jamari Lattimore, 2011; Frank Zombo, 2010)
Noteworthy: The Packers might have set a record for edge rushers on their active roster when they took seven for the 2014 season opener in Seattle (Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Andy Mulumba and Carl Bradford). Coincidentally, three of their four inside linebackers that season were converted edge rushers (Brad Jones, Lattimore and Robert Francois). The position has seen a team-high seven undrafted rookies make the initial 53 since the switch to a 3-4 defense in 2009.
Inside linebacker
Average: 4.08
Most: Five (2018, 2013, 2012)
Fewest: Three (2017, 2016)
Undrafted rookies: Two (Krys Barnes, 2020; James Crawford, 2018)
Noteworthy: Barnes and Crawford represent two of the most improbable runs for undrafted rookies making the Packers' roster. Crawford wasn't signed until Green Bay was two weeks into training camp in 2018. He parlayed a big special-teams performance in the team's preseason finale against Kansas City into a roster spot. Barnes was among the team's initial cuts last year, but was promoted to the active 53 days later after Kamal Martin was placed on IR. Barnes not only appeared in the Packers' regular-season opener against Minnesota, but also became the first undrafted rookie linebacker to start Week 1 for Green Bay since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger. Barnes went on to serve as the Mike linebacker, responsible for relaying the defensive plays calls. His 80 tackles were second-most on Green Bay's defense to safety Adrian Amos (83).
Cornerback
Average: 6.0
Most: Seven (2019, 2017)
Fewest: Five (2018, 2010)
Undrafted rookies: Four (Josh Hawkins, 2018; Lenzy Pipkins, 2017; LaDarius Gunter, 2015; Sam Shields, 2010)
Noteworthy: The Packers have loaded up on corners in recent years, keeping seven on two occasions since 2017. Shields will go down in franchise annals as former general manager Ted Thompson's best undrafted acquisition. The former Miami (Fla.) receiver, who converted to cornerback as a senior, was a vital contributor on the Packers' Super Bowl XLV team as a rookie and made his lone Pro Bowl appearance in 2014. Shields started 62 of the 80 games he played in Green Bay.
Safety
Average: 4.5
Most: Five (six times, 2020 most recent)
Fewest: Four (six times, 2019 most recent)
Undrafted rookies: Six (Raven Greene, 2018; Kentrell Brice and Marwin Evans, 2016; Chris Banjo, 2013; Sean Richardson, 2012; M.D. Jennings, 2011)
Noteworthy: Special-teams considerations have contributed to the Packers carrying at least five safeties on their Week 1 roster in five of the past six seasons. It's also been one of the Packers' favorite spots for finding undrafted talent.
Specialists
Average: 3.0
Undrafted rookies: One (Justin Vogel, 2017)
Noteworthy: The Packers have had exactly three specialists on their Week 1 roster in each of the past 12 seasons, though they did only keep a kicker and punter through final cuts in 2016. That year, Green Bay released Rick Lovato in favor of veteran Brett Goode. Goode had been recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament prior to re-signing with the Packers on Sept. 5.
