We figure we'd take a stab at the final 53 man roster. It is really a 54 man roster as Shawn Nelson will not count until he comes off of his suspension after week 4. The number we think they'll keep at each position is in parenthesis.
Quarterback (3): Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Levi Brown
Outlook: The team may try to sneak Brown through waivers to put him on the practice squad but they likely will not take that gamble. Brian Brohm will be the odd man out as Fitzpatrick beat him out in the preseason for the backup job. Brohm did himself no favors with his performance in the preseason finale against Detroit.
Runningback (5): Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller, Marshawn Lynch, Joique Bell, Corey McIntyre
Outlook: The question is will they keep three or four backs. Bell and Chad Simpson may be too good not to keep one of them. Bell gets the edge here since they don't need Simpson's return abilities with the depth they have there. Bell could be a practice squad candidate if they decide to try to sneak him through waivers. McIntyre will be the lone fullback.
Wide Receiver (5): Lee Evans, Steve Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, Chad Jackson, David Nelson
Outlook: The top four are no brainers. Evans will start, Parrish is locked in the slot. Johnson will start at #2 but Jackson may take over that spot. Nelson has had a great training camp and quickly overcame two injuries he will likely be the fifth wideout. This coaching staff has no emotional ties to the former second round pick Hardy and he didn't play much against Detroit until the 2nd half. He looks to be the odd man out. If they do go with six receivers he may stick but we think they'll keep five and an extra linebacker.
Tight Ends (3): Jonathan Stupar, Derek Schouman, J.P. Foschi
Outlook: Shawn Nelson will not be on the roster for the first month of the season but the team will likely carry three others anyway with Schouman banged up. Foschi knows Gailey well and will likely stick despite just being signed last week and a horrible showing in the preseason finale. They may look outside for another tight end.
Offensive Line (9): Cornell Green, Demetrius Bell, Eric Wood, Geoff Hangartner, Andy Levitre, Kirk Chambers, Jamon Meredith, Ed Wang, Cordaro Howard.
Outlook: Green has had a horrendous preseason but will likely stick since they don't have other options. They may look outside to add a tackle. Hangartner is the only center but Wood can back him up there. Chambers is valuable because he can play guard or tackle. Howard was impressive in training camp.
Defensive Line (6): Marcus Stroud, Kyle Williams, Dwan Edwards, Torell Troup, Alex Carrington, Spencer Johnson
Outlook: In the 3-4 defense they will likely keep six linemen to have one backup at each position. We were going to make a surprsie pick and keep John McCargo over Johnson but he ended a good camp with a poor showing in the preseason finale.
Linebacker (9): Andra Davis, Chris Kelsay, Reggie Torbor, Paul Posluszny, Kawika Mitchell, Chris Ellis, Aaron Maybin, Arthur Moats, Antonio Coleman
Outlook: This may be the easiest position to figure out. The only battle was for the final spot and we have the draft pick Moats beating out Keith Ellison based on his upside. They could try to sneak Moats through waivers and on to the practice squad but we don't think so. Coleman has been very impressive all summer and likely is kept especially since Torbor is currently injured.
Defensive Backs (10): Terrence McGee, Drayton Florence, Leodis McKelvin, Reggie Corner, Ashton Youboty, Donte Whitner, Jairus Byrd, George Wilson, Bryan Scott, Dominique Harris.
Outlook: The best unit on the team has a couple of battles. We think Youboty beats out Ellis Lankster who had an up and down preseason. Harris makes the team over Cary Harris if they decide to keep five safeties, they may only keep four and a sixth corner which would give Lannkster a chance to make the team.
Special Teams (3): Rian Lindell, Brian Moorman, Garrison Sanborn
Outlook: Same three as last year. Sanborn developed into a nice long snapper.