Packers Rookie Free Agents Promising; Several Could Contend for Spots
Green Bay General Manager Ted Thompson is a digger. He does whatever it takes to unearth talent that could help the Packers be successful and stay atop the NFC North for the short and long term.
A good example was the March 5 signing of linebacker Josh Francis, a West Virginia product who played in Canada with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2014 and in the Indoor Football League early in 2015.
About Packers sees these nine rookie free agents — players signed right after the 2015 NFL Draft and from the recent rookie tryout camp — as players to watch this offseason. And I expect at least two or three of them to contend for and eventually claim spots on the 53-man roster.
Of note are three offensive linemen, an area that Thompson didn’t or wasn’t able to address with his eight draft selections. In my opinion, backup blockers is the team’s weakest link at this point because Mike McCarthy’s squad will be hard-pressed to go through a second straight campaign as healthy along the OL as it did in 2014.
Don Barclay and J.C. Tretter are the next guys up, but after that the pickings are slim and one or two spots should be there for the taking.
And the two wide receivers listed that were among Green Bay’s predraft visits, offering what I assume is competition for kick/punt returning roles. The Packers’ extreme depth at the receiving position makes me think the Packers may keep six players when the dust settles, or at least have a trade chip or two.
He was one of the guys I liked heading into the draft after gaining a lot of experience with the Hurricanes. NFLDraftScout.com’s Dane Brugler had him pegged to go in the sixth round, so there’s some value there for a guy who wore No. 37 -- the one Sam Shields wears in Green Bay.
The NCAA Division II All-American averaged 16.7 yards on each of his 71 receptions, scoring 14 touchdowns. He was Brugler’s No. 27 receiver and projected to go in the fifth or sixth round.
Coxson came in at 69th in Brugler’s rankings, one spot behind UW-Whitewater’s Jake Kumerow, who signed a free agent deal with Cincinnati.
He has power and speed but lacks athleticism, starting his final 27 contests. He was named the defensive MVP of the inaugural Fosters Farms Bowl, where Stanford whipped Maryland, 45-21, as Vaughters registered two sacks and forced a fumble. He was Brugler’s 20th best edge rusher with a seventh-round tag.
He came in at No. 70 among guards, according to Brugler. Phillips’ versatility could be huge for his chances. He was an all-MAC choice his final two seasons with the Chippewas.
This kid is huge (6-foot-8) and started all one of his 52 collegiate games at right tackle for the Wildcats. He went to Simeon High School in Chicago and was the No. 34 tackle prospect in Brugler’s ratings.
He struggled mightily academically his first two years with the Bison, redshirting and then sitting out his freshman season. He rushed for over 1,000 yards his final three years but didn’t start until he was a senior. Crockett is a high-energy, tough kid who could make it as a third back, but he needs a lot of work. He was Brugler’s 23rd ranked back.
He weighs only around 230 pounds and was only rated 80th by Brugler. He registered 80 tackles as a senior. He appears to have scheme versatility and athleticism, so it will be interesting to see him in action.
He also possesses size and versatility, having played guard and tackle while starting 38 games during his final three seasons at Pitt under new Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst. Brugler had him listed No. 28 among guards.
A good example was the March 5 signing of linebacker Josh Francis, a West Virginia product who played in Canada with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2014 and in the Indoor Football League early in 2015.
About Packers sees these nine rookie free agents — players signed right after the 2015 NFL Draft and from the recent rookie tryout camp — as players to watch this offseason. And I expect at least two or three of them to contend for and eventually claim spots on the 53-man roster.
Of note are three offensive linemen, an area that Thompson didn’t or wasn’t able to address with his eight draft selections. In my opinion, backup blockers is the team’s weakest link at this point because Mike McCarthy’s squad will be hard-pressed to go through a second straight campaign as healthy along the OL as it did in 2014.
Don Barclay and J.C. Tretter are the next guys up, but after that the pickings are slim and one or two spots should be there for the taking.
And the two wide receivers listed that were among Green Bay’s predraft visits, offering what I assume is competition for kick/punt returning roles. The Packers’ extreme depth at the receiving position makes me think the Packers may keep six players when the dust settles, or at least have a trade chip or two.
1. LaDarius Gunter, CB, Miami
He was one of the guys I liked heading into the draft after gaining a lot of experience with the Hurricanes. NFLDraftScout.com’s Dane Brugler had him pegged to go in the sixth round, so there’s some value there for a guy who wore No. 37 -- the one Sam Shields wears in Green Bay.
2. Ricky Collins, WR, Texas A&M-Commerce
The NCAA Division II All-American averaged 16.7 yards on each of his 71 receptions, scoring 14 touchdowns. He was Brugler’s No. 27 receiver and projected to go in the fifth or sixth round.
3. Adrian Coxson, WR, Stony Brook
Coxson came in at 69th in Brugler’s rankings, one spot behind UW-Whitewater’s Jake Kumerow, who signed a free agent deal with Cincinnati.
4. James Vaughters, LB, Stanford
He has power and speed but lacks athleticism, starting his final 27 contests. He was named the defensive MVP of the inaugural Fosters Farms Bowl, where Stanford whipped Maryland, 45-21, as Vaughters registered two sacks and forced a fumble. He was Brugler’s 20th best edge rusher with a seventh-round tag.
5. Andy Phillips, C-G, Central Michigan
He came in at No. 70 among guards, according to Brugler. Phillips’ versatility could be huge for his chances. He was an all-MAC choice his final two seasons with the Chippewas.
6. Fabbians Ebbele, OT, Arizona
This kid is huge (6-foot-8) and started all one of his 52 collegiate games at right tackle for the Wildcats. He went to Simeon High School in Chicago and was the No. 34 tackle prospect in Brugler’s ratings.
7. John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State
He struggled mightily academically his first two years with the Bison, redshirting and then sitting out his freshman season. He rushed for over 1,000 yards his final three years but didn’t start until he was a senior. Crockett is a high-energy, tough kid who could make it as a third back, but he needs a lot of work. He was Brugler’s 23rd ranked back.
8. Tavarus Dantzler, LB, Bethune-Cookman
He weighs only around 230 pounds and was only rated 80th by Brugler. He registered 80 tackles as a senior. He appears to have scheme versatility and athleticism, so it will be interesting to see him in action.
9. Matt Rotheram, G, Pittsburgh
He also possesses size and versatility, having played guard and tackle while starting 38 games during his final three seasons at Pitt under new Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst. Brugler had him listed No. 28 among guards.
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