Latest mailbag packers could look at receivers after cuts

Rob DemovskySep 5, 2015, 07:00 AM ET

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Each week, we'll take questions about the Green Bay Packers. They can be submitted via Twitter using the hashtag #PackersMail.

We'll discuss the following topics:

Receiver options after the cut to 53
What happens when Letroy Guion and Datone Jones suspensions are over
John Crockett and the backup running backs
Davante Adams as a No. 1 receiver
State of the special teams under Ron Zook

@RobDemovsky is there any chance the Packers will bring in a receiver from free agency? #PackersMail
— Trevor Kroll (@TrevorKroll) September 4, 2015

Demovsky: The best chance remains James Jones if he doesn't make the New York Giants' roster, and my man Dan Graziano thinks that's a strong possibility. He did not have the former Packers receiver on his latest projected 53-man Giants' roster. However, it's not general manager Ted Thompson's M.O. to bring in veterans after the cuts. He did it in 2013 with quarterback Seneca Wallace, but that was only after Vince Young, Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman flopped. The Packers have not shown any interest in former Packers receiver James Boykin, who was cut by the Panthers. Jones was, and probably still is, better than Boykin, but that doesn't mean he's a lock to come back.

@RobDemovsky Who are the most likely candidates to be short term rosters players cut when Guion and Jones come back? #PackersMail
— Dusty (@djschuett) September 4, 2015

Demovsky: Naturally, you would think they would dump defensive linemen, but that's not necessarily the case, especially if the Packers only keep five at that position, as I predicted in my roster projection. Carrying six defensive linemen is probably more likely than not after those suspensions expire, but seven is unlikely. If there's no injuries, then it makes for a difficult decision, but chances are there will be an injury or two that factor into it. But for the sake of your question, let's say there aren't any. In that case, they could replace either Josh Boyd or Bruce Gaston on the defensive line. Or maybe they keep Khyri Thornton (which I did not) for a couple of weeks and he would be gone. The last linebacker (Carl Bradford) could be in a vulnerable spot, too.

What becomes of Crockett? Could he slip by & be on the practice squad? #PackersMail
— J Mazz (@turntupmaz) September 4, 2015

Demovsky: The thing you have to remember is that the only way he doesn't "slip by" is if someone claims him. That would mean they'd have to put him on their 53-man roster, and I'm not sure anyone would be that sold on Crockett at this point. He's more of a developmental prospect. I'd say there's a good chance either he or Alonzo Harris ends up back on the Packers' practice squad. That's assuming Rajion Neal ends up as the No. 3 running back.

#Packersmail Do you believe Adams can make the jump to be our no. 1 receiver?
— Carlos (@ChicoLicoT) September 4, 2015

Demovsky: Probably not, but the good news is he doesn't have to. Randall Cobb, even from the slot, probably will still get the most targets, and that's the true definition of a No. 1 receiver. But there's no reason to think Adams can't at least double his production from last season, when he had 38 catches for 446 yards and three touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers said shortly after Jordy Nelson's season-ending knee injury that he thought the offense would have to be more balanced that it was last season.

@RobDemovsky will the Special Teams be special this year?? Zook/McCarthy an improvement over Slocum? #PackersMail
— William E Greco (@heyderuzguys) September 4, 2015

Demovsky: I'm skeptical. I realize that preseason isn't always a good indicator of what's to come, but that eight-penalty performance on special teams against the Eagles was alarming. Zook is a high-energy coach, there's no question about it. You can see why he might have been a good recruiter in college. But you can also see why his teams might have underperformed at times. There's a chaotic nature to his style, and that has its downside, too.

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Mailbag: Packers could look at receivers after cuts