When it comes to the final preseason game, it's all about Head Coaches Mike McCarthy and Sean Payton and General Managers Ted Thompson and Mickey Loomis being able to take a look at the back half of the roster so that they can easily review the players that they need to make the decision regarding whether they make the 53 man roster, make the practice squad, or get cut entirely all together. Let's take a look at some individuals who need to have a strong performance.
Jared Abbrederis
The former Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver is finally set to play in a game, in uniform for the Green Bay Packers. He tore his ACL in the Packers annual family night scrimmage before the preseason had begun last year, and then had a concussion on the first day of training camp and was unable to play in the first three preaseason games, which is unfortunate because he has a pretty bad concussion history. Currently Abbrederis is behind several of the players on the most recent Packers' depth chart. Since Green Bay is probably only going to keep 5-6 receivers at the most, Abbrederis really needs to shine in order to show that he deserves a roster spot.
Casey Hayward
So, Hayward at one point during his rookie season was considered to be up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year. But by have things fallen apart for the young Packers cornerback. Right now he is battling off other cornerbacks that the Packers have drafted as he is trying to maintain the second cornerback spot behind Sam Shields.
Khyri Thornton
The third round draft pick of the Green and Gold in the 2014 NFL Draft, Thornton was placed in injured reserve before the season last year or he might have been cut before that season began. He is buried on the depth chart as a third string defensive end behind other players like Letroy Guion, Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, and Josh Boyd. Is there any chance for the young man from Southern Miss to be able to rise above? He is going to have to play a great game as it would seem unlikely for a team with a 3-4 base defense to carry more than seven defensive lineman, which could make Khryi fighting for a final spot during Thursday Night's game.
Now that we've seen a few key players for the Packers, let's take a closer look at some New Orleans Saints players that are needing to shine in order to show their strength.
Garrett Grayson
There isn't a depth chart listed for the Saints on their website like their is for the Packers, but after doing a little digging, this writer stumbled upon one for the Saints on ourlads. The most shocking thing at this point was that the 2015 Third Round draft pick in Grayson was not only at the back of the pack at quarterback, but also was listed as the fourth quarterback on their estimated depth chart. Obviously there is Drew Brees and Luke McCown is the direct backup, but seeing Ryan Griffin in front of Grayson just doesn't seem like it should be that way. Grayson is going to need to be wonderful in order to bypass Griffin and ensure that he makes the 53 man roster.
Tim Hightower
The former Arizona Cardinal running back is still in the league and trying to make the roster with the Saints. But right now he's still buried on the depth chart. He's behind Mark Ingram, Khiry Robinson, and C.J. Spiller. Hightower was signed to a reserve contract all the way back in January and should be able to get some playing time but had been medically out of the NFL for a few years so it will be interesting to see what Hightower can bring in this contest.
Yours truly could try to make a prediction in this game, but when you aren't expecting to see Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees, it makes it very hard to project. This writer is just hoping all the young men that are playing for a roster spot are able to stay healthy and put some good tape out there so that even if they don't make the 53 man roster, that they can indeed make the practice squad for one of these teams. The final score will have a winner, but it's all about how the players perform in the preseason.