The minute the draft is over, teams start to sign the most hopeful talent that didn’t get picked in the NFL draft. This year, the Green Bay Packers signed a bunch of skill position players and some other raw talent that will show up and try to do its best in Training Camp. We’ll introduce you to the “undrafted free agent class” of 2019:
QB Manny Wilkins
Measured with 6’2″ and 200 pounds, Wilkins from Arizona State is different than other undrafted quarterbacks that went to the Packers in recent years. Remember Joe Callahan, who scrambled at every opportunity that he got? Well, Wilkins is not that type of player. He does it when needed, but he’s more the type of “game manager” than someone who is going to win you the game. As a third quarterback, this is what the Packers need at this roster spot. If he’ll be needed during the season, no one expects from him to win games. But if he doesn’t lose it, it’ll be okay. Other teams have this type of quarterback play as their QB1.
WR Kabion Ento
Ento (6’3″, 190lb) played wide receiver for Colorado with a very small sample size. In his junior year he played in six games, getting eight receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns. In 2017, he didn’t play a single snap and in 2018 he played in eight games and caught the ball 12 times for 161 yards. Pro Football Focus counted 128 snaps and 24 targets in his final year.
WR Matt Eaton (Iowa St.)
Eaton (6’4″, 211lb) never had more than a (one) handful of receptions in his college career and played his best game against Baylor in 2018 with 61 reception yards. He started all 13 games in 2018, catching 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He also attended the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in 2019.
TE Davis Koppenhaver
Koppenhaver (6’4″, 245lb) played in 41 games (one start) at Duke and was mainly a redzone target, with 49 catches for 431 yards and 12 touchdowns. With these 12 touchdowns he set the Duke career record for touchdown receptions by a tight – one of them being a beautiful toe drag:
OT Yosh Nijman
At 6’6″, 324lb, Nijman didn’t take the “standard” route to the NFL. Instead, he won a state title in the shot put before changing to American Football and playing for the Hokies. Pro Football Focus has him graded at 67.0, above average in pass blocking and below average in run blocking. He played 639 snaps in 2018, leading to only one sack and one QB hit at right tackle (playing left tackle the three years before).
CB Nate Brooks
Brooks, 5’11”, 187 lbs, who was teammates with Patrick Mahomes at North Texas, caught seven interceptions in his two final seasons. He’s rated with an 88.2 grade for 2018 with above average coverage and run defense grades. His speed (4.62) is a litte slow, but his 3-cone (6.65) is elite and his aggressiveness will draw flags, but will also lead him to make plays during Training Camp. Dane Brugler (The Athletic) has him graded as a priority free agent.
EDGE Randy Ramsey
Randy Ramsey, 6’4″, 236lbs, started all 10 games he played in his final season for Arkansas. He totaled 507 snaps in these 10 games, most of them on the defensive line, but also played some on special teams. On 205 of his snaps he rushed the passer, sacking the quarterback 4 times and hitting him another 4 times while totalling 22 pressures. Defending the run, he played 295 snaps for 17 solo tackles.
EDGE Greg Roberts
Greg Roberts, 6’5″, 258lbs (Baylor) posted 47 tackles and 5 sacks as a senior, but is most known for punching Iowa State RB David Montgomery in Nov. 2018. He is a raw talent, requiring a lot of training and a helping hand with his technique, which he can find with some more experienced players on the defensive line with the Packers. He’ll need time, but his size and speed (1.64 10yd, 2.78 20yd, 7.11 3c) helped him get an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2018.An update with other UDFAs will follow tomorrow.
Other names reportedly signed by the Packers:
- QB J.C. Collins
- RB Devonte Williams
- DE Nydair Rouse
- LS Patrick Eby
- WR Darius Shepherd
- DB Deion Harris
- QB Taylor Cornelius
- LB Curtis Bolton
- OL Larry Williams
- WR Jamarius Way
