The Green Bay Packers had three undrafted free agents make the 2023 roster a season ago. They were Malik Heath, Emanuel Wilson, and Brenton Cox. This past Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers signed eight undrafted free agents.
The free agents that the Packers signed that were not drafted are offensive lineman Donovan Jennings from South Florida, long snapper Peter Bowden from Wisconsin, defensive lineman James Ester from Northern Illinois, offensive lineman Trente Jones from Michigan, defensive lineman Rodney Matthews from Ohio, running back Jarveon Howard from Alcorn State, tight end Messiah Swinson from Arizona State, and linebacker Ralen Goforth from Washington.
Green Bay Packers Have Had At Least One Undrafted Free Agent Make the Roster For the Last 19 Years
The beauty of this sport is whether you are drafted in the first round or the undrafted free agent trying to crack an NFL roster, they are always going to get a chance to prove themselves during training camp. It is pretty impressive that Green Bay has had at least one undrafted free agent make the roster for the last 19 seasons. It will be interesting to see whether or not it will be 20 years in a row.
Bill Huber from Sports Illustrated believes that the one player in this undrafted class who will make the roster is offensive lineman Donovan Jennings from South Florida. The reasoning he gave for Smith potentially making the 53-man roster for the Green Bay Packers this season as an undrafted free agent is as follows:
“Money talks. The Packers usually don’t spend much money on their undrafted free agents, but they reportedly gave Jennings a $10,000 signing bonus and $100,000 guaranteed. So, clearly, the Packers considered Jennings a draftable player and one with the ability to earn a spot on the 53. Jennings started 45 games for USF, with 43 at left tackle. After missing most of 2022 following a broken ankle, Jennings allowed only two sacks in 10 starts in 2023. He had five offensive coordinators in six seasons, so he should be well-versed in learning a playbook. At 6-foot-4 1/8 and 323 pounds with 33-inch arms,Jennings’ Relative Athletic Score was 8.93. He had a predraft visit.”
It will be interesting to see what happens during training camp with the Green Bay Packers. We could be surprised and see the 19-year streak of undrafted free agents making the roster end. Lastly, one of the things that the Packers will need to figure out in this training camp is the offensive line starters and the depth in order to properly protect quarterback Jordan Love.