Green Bay Packers: 5 Potential surprise cuts on the final 53-man roster

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 15: DeShone Kizer #9 and Equanimeous St. Brown #19 of the Green Bay Packers speak with Miles Boykin #80 of the Baltimore Ravens after a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 15: DeShone Kizer #9 and Equanimeous St. Brown #19 of the Green Bay Packers speak with Miles Boykin #80 of the Baltimore Ravens after a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 15: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers takes the field prior to a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 15: Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers takes the field prior to a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

5. Tramon Williams, CB

Admittedly, this is highly unlikely to happen knowing the current state of Green Bay’s cornerback situation. But veteran Tramon Williams has the eighth-highest cap hit ($6.4 million) on the entire Packers roster in 2019, and would only leave a dead cap hit of $2.6 million if released. For that reason alone, it stands to reason that general manager Brian Gutekunst could consider this move.

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Another reason Gutekunst might consider releasing Williams is due to the rise in play from second-year cornerback Tony Brown. Brown has had an excellent camp and has even been taking reps as the team’s other outside cornerback in nickel packages, opposite of Jaire Alexander, in Kevin King‘s absence (hamstring). Williams has been the team’s starting slot cornerback.

One final reason Gutekunst may consider this scenario is Williams’ age. Williams turned 36 in March and isn’t getting any younger. He just doesn’t fit the theme of young, high-potential players the Packers appear to have gone with over the offseason.

All that said, having a veteran leader on defense is absolutely priceless, and Williams showed to actually be one of the defense’s most consistent pieces last season. His release is unlikely, but don’t be surprised if it does happen.