Packers’ Undrafted Free Agent Round-up

The Green Bay Packers signed several undrafted free agents following the seven-round NFL Draft. Those players are as follows.

Miami cornerback Sam Shields

Shields is a speed demon. He ran the 40 in 4.3 seconds at Miami’s pro day. However, he’s extremely raw as a cornerback, having played only one season at the position at Miami after transitioning from receiver. He started 10 games at cornerback his senior season. In 2008, he was named Miami’s special teams player of the year. It’s unclear where Shields will play in the pros, but he would seem to have a good shot at making the Packers roster as a kick returner and special teams player.

Eastern Illinois tackle Chris Campbell

Campbell is huge at 6-5, 325, but was only a full-time starter for one season at Division I-AA Eastern Illinois. He was second-team all conference his senior season. Campbell is said to have good agility, but is not an elite athlete or run blocker. Will have to improve his technique to stick in the pros. Essentially, a long-term project.

Central Michigan defensive end Frank Zombo

Zombo (6-3, 254) started at defensive end for three years at Central Michigan. However, at CMU’s pro day Zombo filled in as a tight end and some of the teams in attendance liked what they saw. Zombo was a wide receiver in high school, can catch the ball and the Packers may transition him ala Spencer Havner. Although he has a good motor, Zombo doesn’t have the size to play defensive end in the NFL. The other option for him would be outside linebacker.

Stephen F. Austin DE/OLB Tim Knicky

Knicky has put up good numbers. He registered 12.5 sacks in 2009 and 12 in 2008, when he was named third-team AP All American. Although he played defensive end in college, Knicky (6-4, 252) will transition to outside linebacker with the Packers. Although he’s put up the numbers at the collegiate level, Knicky is considered an effort player who doesn’t currently have the size to be anything other than a situational pass rusher at the NFL level.

UTEP wide receiver Jeff Moturi

Moturi caught his share of balls at UTEP. He finished his career with 170 receptions for 2,527 yards, including 53 receptions for 974 yards in 2009. Moturi has good straight-line speed and can get behind defenders, but struggles against bump-and-run and press coverage.

Southern Miss tight end LeRoy Banks

Banks played only two seasons at Southern Miss, with his best year coming in 2009 when he caught 29 balls for 375 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-3, 243 he’s somewhat undersized for an NFL tight end.

South Dakota quarterback Noah Shepard

The Packers were the only team to hold a private workout for Shepard, so they’ve obviously had their eye on him. Shepard was prolific at South Dakata, finishing as the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (8,936), passing touchdowns (77) and total offense (11,133). Shepard has good size for the position (6-2, 215) and in addition to a decent arm, he’s also mobile, having run for 500 yards his senior season.

Stillman College running back Quinn Porter

Porter played at Division II Stillman College, where he was an honorable mention All American his senior season. He finished his final campaign with 1,247 yards rushing and 1,726 all-purpose yards. Porter ran a 4.48 40-yard dash and could be a prospect to return kicks for the Packers.

Temple inside linebacker Alex Joseph

Joseph led Temple in tackles in 2009 with 80 and also recorded 5.5 tackles for loss. At 6-1, 236 he’ll need to bulk up a bit to play at the NFL level, but Joseph is a strong tackler who has demonstrated the ability to shed blockers. Solid work ethic and strong leadership characteristics are positives. Likely has a shot to make it as a special teams player.

Wake Forest defensive end John Russell

Russell had a solid senior season at Wake Forest, where he played defensive tackle, registering 46 tackles and four sacks. He’s technically solid and plays hard, but can be overwhelmed by larger players and double teams. At 6-4, 280 Russell won’t be able to play inside at the NFL level and is clearly better suited to play defensive end in a 4-3.

UCONN free safety Robert Vaughn

A starter since his sophomore year, Vaughn tallied 14 career interceptions. He finished his senior season with 63 tackles, but at 6-0, 198 is on the small side to play safety in the NFL. Vaughn is not your typical in-the-box safety, but he is strong in coverage and he may be given a shot to play cornerback.

Southern Miss running back Tory Harrison

Harrison didn’t put up big numbers in college. His senior season, in which he finished with 647 yards rushing, was his best. He did, however, average a gaudy 6.2 yards per carry in 2009. While it doesn’t look like Harrison has much of a shot as an NFL running back, he did return 55 kicks for 1,217 yards in his college career, a 22.1 yard average.

Grand Valley State tackle Nick McDonald

The 6-5, 310 McDonald started for two years at left tackle for the 2009 Division II National Champion Lakers. He was the GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year and a Division II All-American in 2009. McDonald is quick, strong and was often dominant at the collegiate level. Equally sound in run and pass blocking with perhaps the only knock being his small-school background.

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Last updated on November 17th, 2013 at 12:19 pm