Last week’s article dove into realistic contributions by Green Bay rookies in their freshman campaigns. The first six selections were covered in that article, ranging from Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson all the way down JK Scott in the fifth round.

This week, the final five selections of the 11-man draft class will be covered, looking into if new GM Brian Gutekunst and his front office were able to unearth any diamonds in the late rounds of the draft.

 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling- WR

2018: 29 catches, 307 yards, 10.6 avg., 3 TDs

MVS, who is tied with preseason darling Jake Kumerow for second-most preseason receptions, brings a sense of size and speed to the receiver ranks. Having run a 4.37 40 at the combine, and pairing that with his lanky 6-5 frame can make for nightmare matchups with smaller corners.

Unfortunately, he has, along with other rookie receivers for Green Bay, have dealt with the case of the drops throughout the preseason, which is not going to help your depth chart standing come cut downs. However, Valdes-Scantling’s potential should be enough to have him contribute early-on for Green Bay.

He should have the chance to be used in jet sweeps and screens to get his feet wet in the speed of the NFL and provided his drops are cut down, look for him to outplay his fellow rookie receivers.

 

Equanimeous St. Brown- WR

2018: 17 catches, 205 yards, 12.0 avg., 1 TD

Rounding out the rookie receivers for Green Bay, St. Brown was a heralded prospect in high school and was thought to be one of the better receivers going into Notre Dame. Inconsistency at starting quarterback led to St. Brown’s production levels being far lower than perceived, and that’s why St. Brown fell so far in the draft.

He hasn’t shown a whole lot so far in the preseason, only making five catches for 73 yards. Being drafted in the sixth round already puts a player behind the odds of making the team, but his performance so far has not made the decision easy for the coaching staff to have him make the team.

But as with all the rookie receivers in this class, the depth and consistency work for them all making the team, and St. Brown should see some playing time during the season. Not a lot by any means, but enough to get his foot in the door.

 

James Looney- DE

2018: Practice squad/not on roster

As the first of three seventh-round selections, Looney’s role on this team doesn’t seem to be a big one. Having players like Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Muhammad Wilkerson, Dean Lowry and Montravius Adams ahead of Looney on the depth chart doesn’t bode well for him making this squad.

When he was drafted, it was more on potential than actual contributions, it seemed like. While his career at Cal was enough to get him drafted, 128 tackles, 20.0 TFL and 6.5 sacks for a defensive end/tackle do not make you stand out enough.

Provided the injury bug doesn’t bite Green Bay on the defensive line, look for Looney to snatch up a practice squad role in hopes of making the roster next season.

 

Hunter Bradley- LS

2018: Free agent/not on roster

Needing to replace Brett Goode and attempt to end the revolving door of injury replacements after Goode went down in 2017, the team’s second seventh-round selection was used on Bradley from Mississippi State.

Having been a member of the 2018 East-West Shrine game, Bradley had made a name for himself as a long snapper, especially after overcoming multiple ACL tears throughout high school and college.

In camp, however, Bradley’s impact has not been great enough to guarantee himself a roster spot. Zach Triner, who was resigned by the team in January 2018 after being on the team’s practice squad for the final week of the 2017 season, has been a bright spot in camp, being more consistent on snaps.

Bradley has had issues with corralling his field goal snaps, so Triner has been able to step in and make a bigger impact in both field goal and punt snaps.

With the constant revolving of long snappers for Green Bay, Bradley has a decent chance of seeing playing time for GB but shouldn’t start the season on the team.

 

Kendall Donnerson- LB

2018: Practice squad

Another player drafted mostly on potential rather than results, Donnerson’s impact in 2018 will mostly come in practices, trying to impress the coaching staff to earn a promotion to the active roster.

Donnerson marks the first player since 2004 to be drafted out of Southeast Missouri State and tested high at the combine for his positional grouping. 53 tackles, 13.5 TFL, six sacks and an interception as mostly an edge rusher displays his physical attributes.

Similar to Looney’s case, Donnerson will most likely not see any regular-season playing time for the team unless injuries beset the position. He is a good candidate for the practice squad and could build up enough of a reputation to be next season’s Reggie Gilbert (definite pipe dream).

Leave any thoughts or suggestions below in the comments!

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Mike Johrendt has been an avid fan of the Packers ever since he can remember. He is now a writer at PackersTalk and you can follow him on Twitter at @MJohrendt23

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