Packers 2012 Undrafted Free Agents

The Green Bay Packers continued to add players to the roster after the draft concluded. Here are a look at this year’s class of undrafted free agents. History tells us a few of these players will likely make the team. Last season, for instance, the Packers had safety M.D. Jennings, running back Brandon Saine and linebackers Vic So’oto and Jamari Lattimore on the active roster during the season.

Here’s a look at this year’s signings.

Jaymes Brooks, guard/center, Virginia Tech (6-2, 307) — A three-year starter at right guard for the Hokies, Brooks was also named second-team All-ACC twice. He’s versatile enough to play all three interior offensive line positions, but most teams considered him too small to play guard at the NFL level. He played in a zone blocking scheme at Virginia Tech. If he shows something, the Packers may consider grooming him as their future center. They definitely like versatile offensive lineman.

Dale Moss, receiver, South Dakota State (6-4, 215) — Moss played basketball for four seasons before playing one season of football at SDSU. He’s extremely raw, but a great athlete with size and leaping ability. In his one season of football, he led the Jackrabbits with 61 catches for 949 yards and six touchdowns. He has great potential, but needs to put on more muscle. Could be this year’s Tori Gurley.

Don Barclay, tackle/guard, West Virginia (6-4, 305) — A two-year starter at left tackle for the Mountaineers, Barclay was named first-team All-Big East by the coaches in 2011. He’ll probably play guard at the pro level because of his size. Unfortunately, that’s about all we know about him. It doesn’t seem like he was scouted heavily and that probably means it’s unlikely he’ll make an NFL roster.

Sean Richardson, safety, Vanderbilt (6-3, 216) — Projected by CBS Sports as a seventh-round pick, Richardson was a three-year starter for the Commodores. He had 63 tackles, including 6.5 for a loss his senior season. He also had one interception and a sack. Coverage isn’t a strong suit, but he plays well against the run. Richardson actually considered coming out after his junior season. The Packers will reportedly convert him to linebacker.

Nic Cooper, running back, Winston-Salem State (5-9, 249) — Cooper put up some impressive rushing stats at Division II Winston-Salem State. He ran for 1,808 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2011, averaging 6.8 yards per carry while leading his team to a 13-1 record. It doesn’t look like that will matter in Green Bay, though. The Packers will convert Cooper, who left school with a year of eligibility remaining, to fullback.

Dezman Moses, defensive end, Tulane (6-3, 248) — Moses was a second-team All-Conference USA selection in 2011 after recording 52 tackles and 9.5 sacks for the Green Wave. He started his college career at Iowa before transferring to Tulane, where he was a two-year starter. Moses will transition to outside linebacker in Green Bay. He’ll likely need to put on some muscle to compete at the NFL level.

Dion Turner, cornerback, Southern Utah (6-0, 195) — Turner was a first-team All-Great West selection his senior season. He only started playing football his senior year of high school. He played safety before switching to cornerback in college. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about him because he played at Southern Utah.

Marc Tyler, running back USC (5-11, 230) — Tyler split time in the USC backfield in 2011, rushing for 568 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry. His best season came in 2010, when he ran for 913 yards, nine touchdowns and averaged 5.3 per carry. Tyler was suspended for the first game of the 2011 season for making what were considered inappropriate comments about athletes getting paid at USC. Tyler obviously has some talent and he also has the USC pedigree. Could push for a roster spot, just like Brandon Saine did last season after going undrafted out of Ohio State.

Drew Vanderlin, defensive end, Michigan Tech (6-4, 280) — Vanderlin, who played at Green Bay Southwest, had 20 career sacks for the Huskies. He finished the 2011 season with 33 tackles and 6.5 sacks while earning first-team All-GLIAC honors. Vanderlin projects as a defensive end in the NFL, but seems better suited for a 4-3 defense. He’ll need to bulk up considerably to have a shot at playing end in the Packers 3-4, which already has a pretty crowded defensive line group.

Eric Lair, tight end, Minnesota (6-3, 232) — Lair looks like he was the forgotten man in 2011. A year after catching 39 balls for 526 yards and two touchdowns, Lair caught only 11 balls for 168 yards and one touchdown in 2011. He put those numbers up in eight games. There seems to be some question as to Lair’s position as well. Although he played tight end in college, he may be converted to a fullback/H-back in the NFL.

Tommie Draheim, guard, San Diego State (6-4, 305) — A first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2011, Draheim played left tackle in college. He was a three-year starter for the Aztecs. Draheim is limited athletically and lacks footwork to play left tackle in the pros, which is part of the reason he’s being projected as a guard.

Duane Bennett, running back, Minnesota (5-9, 205) — Bennett was a pretty average back for the Gophers, rushing for 639 yards and three touchdowns his senior season, while averaging 3.8 yards per carry. He’ll need to show something on special teams to have any shot of securing a spot in the NFL.

Cameron Ford, tight end, Wake Forest (6-4, 255) — Ford recorded only 12 receptions for 99 yards and three touchdowns his senior season, his first as a regular starter. Ford is another guy who’ll have to show a lot on special teams to have any shot at making an NFL roster.

Marcus Rivers, receiver, Buffalo (6-5, 220) — Rivers recorded 60 receptions for 615 yards and two touchdowns in 2011 with Buffalo, the alma mater of James Starks. He was named second-team All-Mid-American. Rivers isn’t fast, but he’s an imposing target at 6-5 and uses his body well.