Most significant move: The odds were against Jared Abbrederis after he missed nearly the entire training camp because of the concussion he sustained on the first day of practice (after missing all of last year with a torn ACL), but when the popular former University of Wisconsin standout returned for the preseason finale, it looked like he might have a shot. It turned out to be a long shot. The Packers cut the 2014 fifth-round pick on Saturday as part of the reduction to 53. The Packers went with five receivers. There was some thought they might keep six after Jordy Nelson's season-ending injury, but Myles White became the fifth receiver behind Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis.
2014 draft revisited: Say this much about general manager Ted Thompson: He realizes his mistakes and moves on. That's what he did with two other players from the 2014 draft class. He dumped third-round pick Khyri Thornton and fourth-rounder Carl Bradford. Neither ever played a down for the Packers. Thornton (the 85th overall pick) spent last season on injured reserve, and Bradford (No. 121 overall) was inactive for every game. Thornton received a signing bonus of $563,252 and Bradford got $429,300. That’s in addition to their base salaries from last season. Before you rip Thompson's 2014 draft, consider that it also included Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (first round), Davante Adams (second), Richard Rodgers (third) and Corey Linsley (fifth). All will be starters this year.
Five on the line: The Packers kept five defensive linemen: Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji, Mike Pennel, Josh Boyd and Bruce Gaston. They'll get Datone Jones back in Week 2 after he serves his one-game suspension and Letroy Guion in Week 4 after he serves his three-game ban. Both were placed on the reserve/suspended list on Saturday.
Biggest surprise: All summer, Rajion Neal was the No. 3 running back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks, so it was a surprise to see the Packers cut him and go with Alonzo Harris as their third halfback.
What's next: Could a reunion with James Jones happen? The New York Giants cut the former Packers receiver on Saturday. Jones left Green Bay in free agency following the 2013 season but spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Packers. Jones was still productive last season, when he caught 73 passes for the Raiders but had a career-low 9.1 yards per catch.
Packers cuts: WR Jared Abbrederis, LB Carl Bradford, RB John Crockett, S Jean Fanor, C Garth Gerhart, CB Tay Glover-Wright, TE Mitchell Henry, RB Rajion Neal, TE Justin Perillo, C/G Andy Phillips, DT Christian Ringo, G Matt Rotheram, LB Joe Thomas, DT Khyri Thornton, LB James Vaughters, T Jeremy Vujnovich, CB Ryan White, WR Ed Williams. In addition, WR Larry Pinkard and LB Jermauria Rasco were waived injured.