The Green Bay Packers win over the Denver Broncos in the second week of the preseason does not matter to many, but it was highly valuable for defensive tackle Anthony Campbell. Campbell entered training camp as a long shot to make the roster, but he is making a push and will likely make it now, according to Matthew Schneidman of The Athletic.
Schneidman did not have Campbell on his 53-man roster projection on August 14, when the team finished their first preseason game. However, his stock continued to ascend, and after the second preseason game, Schneidman could not leave him out.
“The former Miami Hurricanes afterthought keeps popping on tape this summer, and he did so again on Friday, brushing aside one offensive lineman and beating another for a vicious sack,” described Schneidman. “Campbell started camp as a pass-deflection merchant, but his game is more complete than that.”
Campbell has played 40 snaps in the Packers’ two preseason games, with 17 in the preseason opener and 23 the following week. He is tied for the team lead with four pressures and one sack. In the second preseason game, he had an impressive 73.5 grade, per PFF. This performance could be enough to get him onto the Packers roster.
Green Bay Packers DT Anthony Campbell Making Roster Push
GettyNazir Stackhouse #93 of the Green Bay Packers
Campbell was a 2025 UDFA from Miami. He transferred from Louisiana-Monroe to Miami in his last year and did not play much. So, he did not have much draft buzz. He caught on with the Seattle Seahawks after the draft and played 23 snaps in the preseason for them.
Seattle released him and signed him to their practice squad for most of the season. As Green Bay lost depth late in the year, they added him to their roster before the playoff run. Still, he did not get on the field.
He was able to return to Green Bay for his second year, and now he is making noise. He has been a menace in training camp, knocking down many passes.
He parlayed that into a strong preseason performance. Now, he is on the roster bubble, and leaning towards being in.
Packers Have Deep Defensive Line Group
As Schneidman notes, the big question for the Packers might be whether they can keep a seventh defensive tackle or not.
“Will the Packers keep seven here? Maybe not,” Schneidman wrote. “But each of those seven guys deserves a spot on the team.”
He noted that playing for a Jonathan Gannon defense could help increase the odds of them keeping an extra lineman. This would help Campbell.
“With how much defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon likes to cycle guys up front, maybe the Packers will keep seven,” said Schneidman.
As things stand, it appears Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Javon Hargrave, and Chris McClellan are all locks. Wyatt was just extended while Hargrave and McClellan were added this offseason. Brinson and Brooks have been roster players who are developing.
This leaves Anthony Campbell, Jonathan Ford, Nazir Stackhouse, and Jaden Crumedy for one spot, assuming Jordan Riley stays on PUP. Crumedy is likely out of the mix, so it will come down to one or two of Campbell, Ford, and Stackhouse finalizing the depth chart.
Packers ‘Afterthought’ Suddenly Closing In on Roster Spot