2026 is the first time that a person born before a current Green Bay Packers roster construction streak would be able to drink. For the past 21 years, through the tenure of 2 different GM’s, an undrafted rookie has been included on the roster for the first game of the NFL season. Here are the list of possible players that could continue the Packers’ UDFA streak in 2026:
Anthony Campbell
It seems as if every year at training camp, one player will rise above the expectations for them to become a preseason star. This year, that player has been defensive tackle Anthony Campbell.
Campbell is not a rookie in the most technical sense. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, but was never signed to their 53 man roster, only the practice squad. The lack of true NFL snaps allows Campbell to be a player with significant buzz to be the Packers’ UDFA streak player.
Standing at 6’6”, it’s not surprising that Campbell has excelled at getting his hands in the quarterback’s way. He has knocked down so many passes that Packers’ beat reporter Bill Huber joked he couldn’t remember if Campbell has 5 or 55 PBU’s.
Not only has he impressed getting his big hands on footballs, but also on quarterbacks. He highlighted his skill with a sack on Denver Broncos backup quarterback Sam Ehlringer in Friday’s preseason game.
With all of the hype, what’s in Campbell’s way of becoming a week 1 Packer? Valued depth: 6 players are expected to be ahead of Campbell who all represent more investment from Brian Gutekunst.
Devonte Wyatt and Javon Hargrave are 8th and 9th highest paid players on the team respectively. Chris McClellan, Karl Brooks, and Warren Brinson all cost the Packers a draft pick. If Campbell wants to be on the 53, he’s going to supplant one of these players or prove one of the few open roster spots is best filled by him.
J. Michael Sturdivant
The Packers’ have selected by trade and free agency who their starting wide receivers will be in 2026. Their backups may still be an open question that former Florida Gator wide receiver J. Michael Sturdivant could answer.
Sturdivant fits the profile of a typical Packers’ receiver, drafted or undrafted. He’s big, 6’3” and 207 pounds; fast, runs a 4.4 40 yard dash; and explosive, has a 39” vertical jump. Additionally, he has experience on special teams which drastically increases his value for wide receiver depth.
Two other players are competing for a spot with Sturdivant: Will Shepard and Isaiah Neyor. Before Thursday’s preseason game, Sturdivant seemed like the most likely of the 3 to be selected. However, Sturdivant suffered a concussion which allowed Sheppard to earn his time in the spotlight with an amazing touchdown catch.
Sturdivant was present at Monday’s practice, hopefully pointing to good progress through concussion protocol. Every snap will count to become the Packers’ UDFA streak keeper.
Mark Perry
Like Campbell, safety Mark Perry is not completely new to the NFL. He has been on the practice squads of 5 different NFL teams since being signed by Miami Dolphins in 2024, but never an active roster.
Perry is one of the Packers reserve/future signings added at the end of last season. He hadn’t gained much attention until starting nickel safety Javon Bullard injured his foot, and the safety room shuffled Perry into the spotlight.
In the preseason opener he split snaps with fellow undrafted safety Murvin Kenion III, and both played well, leading the team in solo tackles with 4 and 6 respectively. However, Perry clearly moved ahead of Kenion as he was the full-time safety for the 2nd team defense. Making the most of his extra snaps, Perry intercepted Jarret Stidham, making him the only Packers defender to log a turnover so far this preseason.
The Packers past and future contribute to Perry’s case for keeping the Packers’ UDFA streak alive. Last year, the Packers kept 5 safeties on their initial 53 man roster, and Perry seems to be the 5th safety when considering the number of snaps. Additionally, Jonathan Gannon’s system frequently features 3 safeties on the field, which may push the Packers to keep extra players at that position.
