The Green Bay Packers not only took 11 new players in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they also added several intriguing undrafted free agents. Last season, Emanuel Wilson, Malik Heath, and Breton Cox were all undrafted free agents that ended up making the Packers’ 53-man roster. In fact, at least one undrafted free agent has made the Packers’ final roster in each of the past 19 seasons.
This year’s crop of undrafted free agents includes several intriguing players:
- Peter Bowden- long snapper: Wisconsin
- James Ester- defensive lineman: Northern Illinois
- Ralen Gofort- linebacker: Washington
- Jarveon Howard- running back: Alcorn State
- Donovan Jennings- offensive lineman: Southern Florida
- Trente Jones- offensive lineman: Michigan
- Rodney Mathews- defensive lineman: Ohio
- Messiah Swinson- tight end: Arizona State
Earlier this week, it was reported that Wisconsin Badgers long snapper Peter Bowden may have the best chance of anyone in this group to make the final cut. However, PFF has another player in mind that fans should keep an eye on during the offseason programs.
PFF Encourages Green Bay Packers Fans to Keep an Eye on Trente Jones During Offseason Activities
In an article that named one undrafted free agent from each NFC team that fans should watch, PFF’s Thomas Valentine identified Trente Jones out of Michigan as the one for the Packers. He wrote:
“The Packers have made developing offensive linemen into something of an art form in recent seasons. Jones has had limited game time at Michigan but earned an 81.1 pass-blocking grade for his work in 2023, splitting his time between left tackle, right tackle and as an extra offensive lineman, but could kick inside to guard on the Packers roster.”
Jones will certainly have his work cut out for him on his journey to make the Packers’ final roster. However, he is joining a position group that is very young and has plenty of jobs up for grabs after losing three offensive linemen to free agency/cap casualty.
Yosh Nijman signed with the Carolina Panthers, David Bakhtiari is still a free agent after being cut, and Jon Runyan Jr. now plays for the New York Giants. Two of those players, Bakhtiari and Runyan, were starters in Week One for the 2023 Packers. Nijman filled the valuable role of swing tackle.
The Green Bay Packers Have a Plethora of Options on the Offensive Line
Of course, the linemen that is going to go into the 2024 season with the most eyes on him is first round pick Jordan Morgan, whom Matt LaFleur says is going to have an opportunity to play left tackle. If Morgan is going start the regular season there, however, is yet to be seen.
2022 seventh round draft pick Rasheed Walker filled in at left tackle when Bakhtiari went down with another knee injury following Week One. He played well overall, but was inconsistent at times. There were games in which LaFleur would alternate between him and Nijman at left tackle due to neither being able to nail down the position at a satisfactory level.
Josh Myers is entrenched at center and Elgton Jenkins is a Pro Bowl left guard. Zach Tom, a 2022 fourth round pick, played at a Pro Bowl level at right tackle last season.
With those three jobs taken, it appears that the two starting offensive line positions that are up for grabs are left tackle and right guard. As Valentine noted for PFF, Trente Jones could kick inside and play guard for Green Bay.
With Morgan and Walker competing at left tackle, and considering the draft selections of Jacob Monk and Travis Glover, right guard might be Jones’ best path to regular playing time.
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